The Fourth of July is a little less than two weeks away, and some firework stands are getting ready for shoppers.
“I expect to have a lot of customers on the third and fourth,” Seller Kristie Machan said, “Some people want to make sure they get what they want, so they don’t wait until the last minute.”
She said the amount of money spent on fireworks just depends on the family’s budget.
“Some will go together with their neighbors or families to pool together and come get a larger amount so they know what everybody has,” Machan said.
She said her firework stand in Tontitown has an advantage to those within city limits because she opens two weeks before the holiday instead of one week.
“We really encourage people to take this time to stop and kind of price shop so we will see them again before the Fourth,” Machan said.
Mickey Brown said that’s exactly what he was doing Saturday evening.
“It’s good to get out here and see what all is out there, because there’s an awful lot of tents and there’s a lot of variations so, be picky,” Brown said.
Machan considers Brown one of her loyal customers.
“The last few years I’ve spent $300 to $400,” He said.
Some locals said they don’t feel like spending a lot of money on a private show, but prefer something a little more intimate than a free community show. Sheri Carpenter said every one in her family pitches in $40.
“I don’t usually and our family doesn’t usually,” Carpenter said, “ We just do them at our house because we live out in the country and we like to have our own thing.”
Diane and Gene Whitley said they enjoy going to the community show, taking their chairs and blankets and watch free fireworks with family.
““It’s just a family-oriented type of Fourth of July where the whole family can go and have a good time,” Diane Whitley said.
They said they also prefer going to a show that someone else puts on because they feel more safe.
“The professionals do the fireworks, and you don’t have to worry about the kids getting hurt.”
To see what free community shows are going on in your area, click here.