Firework dealers have been open for a couple of weeks now, but say most people wait until July 4th to purchase fireworks.
Hours for firework usage in Indiana are between 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on days other than holidays. Fireworks are allowed to be set off July 4 from 10 a.m. to midnight.
With gas at $4 a gallon and high food prices, local firework dealers have lowered their prices this year to attract customers.Big Boom Fireworks, Lakeview Shopping Center, is offering $500 worth in fireworks to one winner. Tickets to enter in the raffle are $1 each.
"With the economy the way it is, a lot of families are on budgets and I wanted to provide them with an opportunity to get more bang for their buck," said David Garrison, Big Boom Fireworks store manager.
People do not need to purchase fireworks to enter into the raffle drawing, but must purchase a ticket and be present tonight at the store at 6 p.m. when the drawing will be held.
People can enter in the drawing until 5:30 tonight.
Garrison said the economy has had a significant effect on firework sales at the business.
The business made $45,000 in sales at this time last year, and are only at $15,000 this year, according to Garrison who attributed the sales decrease to a troubled economy. The business has been open this season since June 26.
"The fourth falls on a Friday this year when most people get paid, so we hope sales will pick up," Garrison said.
He said some people have come into the business and written down firework prices to compare them to other area businesses where fireworks are being sold.
"We have our die-hard fireworks buyers who fill shopping carts full of fireworks, and then there are people who are more cautious when spending money on fireworks compared to previous years because of the economy," Garrison said.
Purchasing fireworks has been a tradition for Mentone residents Jim Boardman and his son, Nick, 14.
They purchased a bundle of fireworks Wednesday afternoon at Big Boom Fireworks.
"I have been taking Nick to purchase fireworks since he was 4," Jim said.
Michael Kelly, Freebie's Fireworks manager on Frontage Road, said the business has kept fireworks prices the same, but firework shipping sales have increased by 20 percent.
"People usually come in groups and spend 20 to 30 minutes looking before they buy," Kelly said.
He said the business counts on receiving approximately 80 percent of its sales today and tomorrow.
Becky and Steve Watson, Speedrocket Fireworks owners on Winona Avenue, have sold fireworks at the location for seven years.
They have been in the fireworks business for 13 years, and said it is common for customers to wait until the last minute to purchase fireworks.
The couple owns and manages two other Speedrocket Firework stores in Columbia City and North Manchester.
"This is a definitely male-dominant business where dads will come in with their sons and are like kids in a candy store," Becky said.
She said it has cost the business approximately 20 percent more to purchase fireworks from wholesalers.
Becky said with the economy, they have lowered their prices on fireworks and had buy-one-get-one-free sales.
Craig Sroufe, manager of Celebrations Fireworks, East Center Street, has been open for the past two weeks selling fireworks.
He said the most popular items being sold are artillery fireworks that explode one to three times and sparklers.
Sroufe said purchasing fireworks allows family to have a unique experience.
"It's exciting for families to have the opportunity to purchase their own fireworks because they can pick and choose and create their own firework show," Sroufe said.
Sroufe said the business has lowered its costs this year to attract shoppers with the troubled economy.
"Despite high gas prices, the regulars who purchase fireworks every year have come in this year," he said.
