Temporary pop-up tents that show up around this time of year will often sell fireworks only legal for Pennsylvanians: Sparklers, grounded fountains and small poppers. Bottle rockets and larger fireworks are all illegal for residents to purchase and set off in-state.
Buying Fireworks At Walmart
Last week, three state senators introduced legislation that would lift the prohibition on the sale of consumer fireworks and allow businesses to sell things like bottle rockets, Roman candles and mortars to Pennsylvania residents without the need for a permit. In addition to the current six percent sales tax, the legislation also allows for lawmakers to enact a yet-to-be-decided excise tax that would go toward fire departments and safety enforcement.
The State fire marshal issues permits for supervised displays of fireworks and the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection licenses fireworks displays, special effects, fireworks and special effects shooters, and fireworks distributors and manufacturers.
Here is a quick list of some local places where you can legally purchase fireworks. Keep in mind the sooner you decide to go, the better the selection you'll have, Some of the locations are within existing stores, so keep that in mind. Happy Shopping!
Thousands of Americans celebrate July 4th by setting off fireworks. And, while they are pretty affordable individually, you can quickly spend a lot to have a spectacular show. We asked a fireworks stand owner her tips for saving money on fireworks, which she shares below.
The Fourth of July weekend is upon us, the absolute best time of year for Americans to celebrate independence by blowing stuff up with loud, mesmerizing fireworks. In many cases, such shenanigans, while definitely fun and perhaps even patriotic, are not exactly legal. That doesn't stop thousands of people from firing off a few bottle rockets or even hosting mom-and-pop fireworks shows in their backyards after the sun goes down.
Revelers should be on warning, however. From Sioux Falls, S.D., to Orange County, Calif., from Long Island to Honolulu and pretty much everywhere in between, police say they are stepping up enforcement in terms of reining in illegal fireworks. Still, more often than not, nothing bad happens beyond some oohs and aahs when most people set off fireworks, and police generally ignore their quasi-legal status unless what's taking place is especially dangerous and stupid.
Put Them in the Mail
Sorry, the U.S. Postal Service has a ban on the mailing of most fireworks and all explosives. Standard fireworks can't be shipped via UPS or FedEx either, though in some cases companies deliver fireworks orders via common carrier truck.
Light Them in an Overgrown Grassy Field
This is asking for trouble. Grassy areas are prone to setting ablaze when sparked by even mild-seeming fireworks. Fireworks can be especially dangerous when weather conditions are dry, because grasses and greenery are more likely to catch fire. In fact, parts of Michigan are banning fireworks for this Fourth of July weekend because the weather has been so dry and the risk of fire is elevated.
Let Young Kids Play with Them
An estimated 40% of fireworks injuries are to kids under age 15. Every year, there are stories of children losing their hands or even dying in fireworks accidents.
In the continental United States, each state has their own laws regarding to the use of fireworks and sparklers. Sparklers, which are classified as a novelty item, are normally allowed in the majority states. However, there are a few states that prohibit their use, have restrictions on the time of year you can use sparklers, or may only allow sparklers in certain places.
Note that while we always try to keep this information current with the latest fireworks laws for a given state, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information. This information is for reference purposes only, and you should check with your state or local government before using sparklers at your event. Wedding Sparkler Store is not responsible for errors in the information on this site, and will not be held responsible for any violations of the law.
Prohibited: Firecrackers, skyrockets, rockets, roman candles, chasers, surprise items, friction items, torpedoes, items resembling food, fireworks containing arsenic, phosphorus, thiocyanates magnesium (magnesium alloys permitted), mercury salts, picrates or picric acid, gallates or gallic acid, chlorates, (except those of alkali or earth metals), boron, titanium (except larger than 100 mesh), zirconium, gunpowder, and fireworks kits.
Permitted: Consumer fireworks as defined by DOT and the CPSC. Cylindrical fountains, cone fountains, illuminating torches, pyrotechnic wheel devices, ground spinners, flitter sparklers, toy smoke devices, sky rockets and bottle rockets, missile-type rockets, helicopter aerial spinners, roman candles, mines or shells, firecrackers, and multiple tube fireworks.
Permitted: Cone and cylindrical fountain, ground spinner, party popper, snake/glow worm snapper, wheel. (Small sparklers not regulated as Consumer Fireworks and therefore allowed.) Items listed on permissible fireworks list.
Permitted: Sparklers, trick noisemakers & novelties are exempt under Ohio law. Other consumer fireworks may be sold to Ohio residents upon execution of a form agreeing to take the items out to the state within 48 hours, or to out-of state residents upon execution of a form agreeing to take the items out the state within 72 hours.
Prohibited: Any combustible or explosive composition prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or an audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration or detonation. This includes, but is not limited to, firecrackers, skyrockets, roman candles, aerial fireworks, or other fireworks of like construction, and any fireworks containing any explosive or flammable compound.
The tent set up shop June 25. Coming off one of the best-selling fireworks seasons in years last July, the first few days of fireworks sales outpaced last year. This time, a nationwide fireworks shortage due to a supply chain issue with China, where many of the products are made, is being felt in Johnson County.
New York lets counties and cities opt out of the law and ban fireworks for personal use, and several have done so in recent years, raising concerns about the noise they create and the dangers they present.
Albany County was the latest last fall to ban fireworks, joining the five counties of New York City (where fireworks were never permitted) and Columbia, Nassau, Schenectady, Suffolk and Westchester counties.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo, in fact, twice vetoed legislation to allow any fireworks in New York, but then acquiesced in 2014, allowing small fireworks to be sold during two periods of the year and requiring counties to opt into allowing their sales.
Aside from the concert series the venue also hosts community events. The July 4th Fireworks Spectacular is a celebration of America and patriotic tribute to the nation's veterans. Before the show there is a Family Fun Festival in the parking lot that in the past had balloon artists, face painters, airbrush portrait artists, superhero pictures, lawn games, a S'mores Station, and much more at no cost to attendees. The SoNA symphony takes the stage before the fireworks display. The AMP Fest is the only event of it's kind featuring beer sampling, tech activations, and live music. Upgrading to VIP for this event includes access to the BITE NWA experience where attendees can sample bites from local restaurants and exclusive samplings from select breweries. You must be 21+ to attend AMP Fest.
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