Fourth of July might look a little different this year, and it may not necessarily be because of what you think.
The pandemic changed a lot of plans last year, and the effects are still lasting into 2021, because many shops are now experiencing a shortage of fireworks!
One shop in Minnesota told WCCO-TV their supplies are down 30%, and they are STILL waiting on new shipments from China.
And because so many shows were canceled last year because of the pandemic, many fireworks were bought for personal use, so there is not much overstock from last year left.
And whatever supply is available for purchase, be prepared to pay a hefty fee, because many vendors expect prices to be 10 to 20% higher than usual.
It was widely reported across Michigan in 2020 that residents were snatching up all the fireworks they could to create backyard fireworks displays after shows were canceled due to the pandemic.
Mark Schramke, the owner of Night Flight Fireworks in Bridgeport, told ABC 12 last summer that fireworks sales were up 30 to 40 percent from the year before. Even then, stores were struggling to keep fireworks in stock.
"There has been a shortage of fireworks because of shipping concerns with COVID," he said. "It tied up a lot of shipping so product is actually really short this year."
The solution to the shortage coming in from overseas last year? Stay local.
"We continue to try to find stock, wherever it's available," Schramke said. "We deal with Michigan companies only as far as doing our importing and bringing fireworks in."
