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Fireworks: Get more spark for your dollar
Regan Hill photo
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Published: July 1, 2009
Local fireworks stands are emphasizing discounts this year for those who want a sizzling Independence Day without burning through their disposable income.
In order to find out how consumers can take off with the best deal, the R&L visited a few stands near Signal Hill Mall and on N.C. Highway 115 to discover how people can get the most bangs for their buck.
"If they want to accommodate me, I will accommodate them," said Cornerstone Baptist Church volunteer Mark Crosswhite, at the church's stand at Signal Hill Mall. "I think it's important for people to know that the guy in the fireworks stand knows that the economy is rough."
Joshua Hobbs, who was working at his father Homer's stand off N.C. 115, said his father purchases the fireworks from a wholesaler, then sells them below the suggested retail price.
Color matters
The type of color a firework gives off depends on the color of metal it's created out of, Crosswhite said.
Red fireworks, which are made with metals such as iron, tend to be cheaper than the blue ones, which are sometimes made with cobalt.
"The price depends more on the colors than how long it lasts or how high it goes," he said.
Size it up
Crosswhite recommended picking up individual items to check out the weight. Some fireworks feel like they weigh nothing, he said.
"Usually, it goes by price," Hobbs said. "The more expensive stuff lasts longer and goes higher."
Go early
Customers are expected to flood these stands on Friday and Saturday, so price-savvy customers should go early to get the best deals.
It will also be easier to negotiate for extras when the stand operators and volunteers aren't running around trying to keep the tables stocked, Crosswhite said.
Package it out
All fireworks stands have packages ranging from $8 Goody bags to the $100 package with loads of fountains, sparklers and other glittery delights.
Crosswhite recommended buying packages with multiple uses — such as the $12.99 Gad Zooks package — which have multiple aerial shells to shoot off.
"Get more things to light and less big things," he said. "That's part of the fun."
If you find yourself looking at two packages with a $5 difference, go for the lesser of the two, he said. A lot of times the cheaper one has the same amount of fireworks, just on a smaller scale.
Price it out
A lot of stands will let a customer mix up their buy- one-get-one-free selections.
Crosswhite said if a customer wants to take a picture of a similar, yet cheaper, pyrotechnic at another stand and bring it by, he will match the price.
"We do try to find what the prices are at the other tents and then go down," Hobbs said.
Free fireworks at the mall
For those interested in seeing fireworks, but not lighting them, go to Signal Hill Mall on Friday.
The mall's annual festivities start at 5 p.m. and feature music, inflatable rides and a clown. Fireworks are scheduled to go off at 9:30 p.m.
Music will be broadcast over WSIC 1400 1520 AM.
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