As the Fourth of July approaches, the sounds of snapping, crackling, and booming are already beginning to echo across North Texas. For many families, heading to a local fireworks stand is a treasured annual tradition—but this year, the stands themselves are experiencing a bit of history.
From extended selling windows to 16,000-count cracker rolls, here is what’s hot, what’s new, and how to stay safe this holiday weekend.
⏱️ A Historic 250th Anniversary Extension
If you feel like the fireworks season is lasting a little longer this year, you aren't imagining it.
Because this year marks the 250th anniversary of the United States, Texas stands have been granted a rare extension. Typically, stands are required to pack up by midnight on July 4th. However, Bailey House, who works at Starr Fireworks in Forney, Texas, notes that vendors are allowed to stay open until midnight on July 5th.
"We may be back selling on July 5th on that Sunday if we don't sell out on the 4th," House says, noting that the July 4th weekend landing on a Saturday already promised massive crowds.
🚀 What's Booming This Year?
While classic artillery shells usually climb about 100 feet, House says the big trend this year is the massive 7-inch artillery shells. These heavy-duty aerials soar up to 200 feet in the air.
"They are big," House explains. "Like when you go to a community park or a city-sponsored show... they are big and they are loud. That's what those artillery shells are doing."
But the most mind-boggling item on the shelves? A massive roll of 16,000 firecrackers. Clocking in at a whopping $276, this giant roll takes anywhere from 10 to 22 minutes of continuous popping to fully detonate.
👪 The Neighborhood Tradition
For local families, the local fireworks stand is the gateway to a perfect neighborhood block party. Murry Thompson stopped by the Forney stand to pick up a specialized "kid pack" for his young son.
Because Forney allows residents to detonate fireworks within the city limits, the Thompson family is ready for a front-yard show. "He just wanted some and we just got them... it's just a kid pack with everything in there that's kid-friendly so he can pop them at home."
For families with younger children who might be scared of the loud booms, House recommends looking into novelty items like smoke bombs, toy tanks, or "magnum flashers," which create a colorful strobe-light effect after dark.
🛑 Safety First: 'Don't Blow Off Your Fingers'
While fireworks are all about celebration, local vendors are urging buyers to use common sense. House notes that she has seen a large influx of first-time buyers this year asking for big items like bottle rockets without knowing how to safely light them.
She also warns parents against buying "dynamites" (individual black cats) for young kids. "The fuse is super short, and you've got to be very quick to throw it," House says. "I would recommend those people go to a firework show or having somebody else who knows fireworks to do those for them."
Thompson echoes that neighborly caution, offering advice for anyone setting up a show on their street:
"Be safe. Be safe and watch other people's kids and watch their houses. I always have a water hose out there... just in case."
As House puts it: "Everybody wants to come out of this 4th of July and be able to celebrate the next one."
String of 16,000 firecrackers
String of 16,000 firecrackers
