Fireworks - Who doesn't "just watch"

[tony1679]

I'm curious to see how many people buy their own fireworks and how many just watch.

My family always gets together on the 3rd. It allows for a long fun night since most are off on the 4th. Plus it allows an extra day of fun. For me, it's like Christmas. I call it BSUD (blow s*** up day). The family gets together, eats good food, drinks some good craft beer, and blows up about $500 worth of fireworks. My definition of a perfect day.

 

[440Magnum]

It was a tradition with us for many years when my daughter was younger and my Dad was still living. He would get the most evil gleam in his eye when he'd go the fireworks stands(at age 80, mind you...) and load up on supplies.

Maybe I'll revive the tradition in a couple more years.

 

[Mykl]

I'd like to, but the neighbor's displays are nearly professional in quality. So we open the windows, reposition the couch, and enjoy.

 

[Shannow]

We used to, but then Oz banned them...

Which meant that the black market stuff was so much bigger and more dangerous than the regulated stuff, that they made the penalties even tougher, and you can't get black market mild stuff anymore.

As an aside, when the fireworks factory (professional) 10 miles away blew up a few years ago, it sounded like it was in my living room (said factory is a discovery mega factories documentary of you see it).

 

[Astro14]

Our neighborhood pays for our own display...running, on average, about $12,000 - $15,000 depending on how much was raised...it's a GREAT show, on the beach, and we walk home...no traffic, no worries.

So, I am not certain if I am a "just watch" by your definition...we skip the city's display for our own...even though the city of Virginia Beach does a great job, we prefer to avoid the crowds and traffic...

 

[tony1679]

Originally Posted By: Astro14
Our neighborhood pays for our own display...running, on average, about $12,000 - $15,000 depending on how much was raised...it's a GREAT show, on the beach, and we walk home...no traffic, no worries.

So, I am not certain if I am a "just watch" by your definition...we skip the city's display for our own...even though the city of Virginia Beach does a great job, we prefer to avoid the crowds and traffic...


Yes, I mean either watching or "light and run"

 

[jdeare]

We buy fireworks every time we go through a state that sells the good ones. Bottle rockets, firecrackers, etc. They are illegal in Illinois but our neighbors enjoy them and we don't go overboard, so we've never had a problem.

My favorite store is one in Indiana that advertises a "big cheap bomb".

 

[Astro14]

Then I am a "just watch"er...and very content to be one...since we pool our resources for a professional show. Fireworks are legal, and for sale, in Virginia, by the way...but I am paying for the neighborhood show, and the professionals do such a good job, that any of the legal stuff done on my own seems silly...

 

[SrDriver]

Being retired with the high prices of gasoline and food prices headed upward as much as 19% by the end of the year I have better uses for $500.00 than fireworks.

The military base here puts on a huge fireworks display each year and is free to the public.

 

[kmcavin]

Originally Posted By: SrDriver
Being retired with the high prices of gasoline and food prices headed upward as much as 19% by the end of the year I have better uses for $500.00 than fireworks.

The military base here puts on a huge fireworks display each year and is free to the public.



I wouldn't count on that for much longer. I'm sure that will eventually get cut as well.

 

[Vern_in_IL]

Originally Posted By: jdeare
We buy fireworks every time we go through a state that sells the good ones. Bottle rockets, firecrackers, etc. They are illegal in Illinois but our neighbors enjoy them and we don't go overboard, so we've never had a problem.

My favorite store is one in Indiana that advertises a "big cheap bomb".


I prefer Boomland over in Missouri, while down there stop by Lambert's café. Here in Illinois, it's a tradition to drive across the river with friends and family and get some decent fireworks, and cheaper fuel. Guys complaining about the cost of fireworks are missing the point, it's about socializing with friends and family. Not creating the biggest amateur show in the state of Illinois.

It's even better if you have friends/family out of state, stay at their place!!

The only thing legal to buy in Illinois is like sparklers and smoke bombs...

 

[MNgopher]

It is tradition for Minnesotans to visit Wisconsin to pick up "the good stuff". Nothing fun is legal in Minnesota, though you wouldn't know it by the aerial displays all over the place...

 

[Mystic]

I just watch the fireworks. Let somebody else pay for all of that stuff. There is going to be a major fireworks display where I live and I can probably take photographs right on my back deck.

When I was young we used to buy fireworks all the time. Including some dangerous stuff we should have left alone but young boys will be young boys. I have some neighbors who go crazy buying fireworks. I will spend my money on something else.

 

[Chris142]

illegal here to do your own. dont need to burn the forest and desert down anyway.

 

[rjundi]

It just not my thing to set them off.

I would get more entertainment burning a pile of cash vs setting off fireworks.

That being said be safe and enjoy!!!

 

[HWEaton]

Wyoming. It's a free for all. Pretty much everything short of what is required for an ATF license is legal.

God bless America.

 

[whip]

I can watch the Portage Lakes fireworks from my front yard. It's enough for me.

 

[morris]

i did my own fireworks for years. then i started working with a guy doing professional fireworks. he has a ATF license. i worked with him for 4 years. it is a LOT of work. and i dont like the heat.

 

[tony1679]

Originally Posted By: Vern_in_IL
Here in Illinois, it's a tradition to drive across the river with friends and family and get some decent fireworks, and cheaper fuel. Guys complaining about the cost of fireworks are missing the point, it's about socializing with friends and family. Not creating the biggest amateur show.

It's even better if you have friends/family out of state, stay at their place!!


I don't miss IL gas prices...

Exactly!

After some guesswork/interpretation, it looks like the score (not counting myself) is:

Watchers 10 - Lighters 4

 

[Pop_Rivit]

I have never understood the excitement gained from watching a firecracker explode. I've watched a few professional fireworks shows, but I find the person getting their jollies by running around lighting them in their driveway to be rather ridiculous.