The Fourth of July weekend is here, and while many will wait until Monday night to experience fireworks, others will take matters into their own hands.
There are a number of fireworks vendors selling their wares locally, but one thing you won’t get in Lake City is more bang for your buck. There aren’t any bottle rockets or fireworks that go high in the air.
That’s because firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, Roman candles, daygo bombs, and any fireworks containing explosive or flammable compounds are illegal in the state of Florida.
“About half the customers who come in here ask for the big stuff,” said Anne Taylor, who sells TNT Fireworks at Winn-Dixie on Marion Avenue. “We have to tell them we don’t sell them here; they have to go to Baker or Hamilton for that.”
That doesn’t mean you can’t find plenty of fireworks that are legal.
Rows of brightly colored packages of fireworks for Independence Day line tables underneath a TNT Fireworks tent.
The box for the Bermuda Triangle depicts a blue hurricane with beady yellow eyes and a menacing grin. The package says the product will whistle, blast, crackle and boom with color. “No duds guaranteed” a sign proclaims under the table.
“We have been selling a lot of Pop-Its,” said Taylor. “These fireworks are thrown on the ground and make a “pop” sound.”
A box of 50 costs just 99 cents, and if customers buy one, they get an additional box free. There are assortment packages ranging from $19.99 to $99.99. The TNT Block Party boasts a $200 value for only $99.99. With its purchase, customers get a free TNT Big Value Bag worth $42. Purchasers must be 18 years old. There are fireworks for all tastes.
One of her sons, Stephen Peter Taylor, holds up a Jumbo California Candle.
“It gives off golden and silver rains,” he said pointing to a description.
A few miles away, Larry Jordan also sits and waits for customers underneath a TNT Fireworks tent by the Wal-Mart Super Center.
“We are selling a lot of fountains,” he said. “You set these on the ground and they go up about eight or 10 feet in the air.”
All the fireworks he sells are legal ones for the county.
“There has been a steady flow of business, but the afternoon and early evening showers keep some people away,” Jordan said.
He said he has met as many out-of-town customers as local ones.
Both tents are open to 9 p.m. and may stay open later as the holiday approaches.
Both Taylor and Jordan are selling fireworks for fundraising.
To ensure safety, the council advises users to always read and flow the directions on the label.
Adults should always assist children and have water handy.
In addition, “dud” fireworks should never be re-lit.
Fireworks should never be thrown or pointed at other people, or shot in metal or glass containers.
JENNIFER CHASTEEN/Lake City Reporter Stephen Taylor, 9 holds a some of his favorite fireworks under the T-N-T fireworks stand in the Winn Dixie parking lot Thursday afternoon.
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–Ashley Cisneros
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Ashley Cisneros is a co-founder of Chatter Buzz Media, an Orlando Internet marketing firm that helps companies and organizations engage with their target markets through inbound marketing via the Internet. Chatter Buzz Media, which won the Social Madness competition for the Orlando small business market, is a full-service digital marketing firm specializing in website design, search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing and content creation. Prior to founding Chatter Buzz, Ashley worked as a newspaper reporter, magazine editor, technical writer, marketing manager, public relations practitioner and freelance journalist. To see Ashley’s content writing, visit www.ashleycisneros.com. You can also reach Ashley on her Google profile.
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