Celebrating the 4th of July? It may cost you more

If you are looking to blow things up this 4^th of July you should have better selection than last year, but like almost everything else, the fireworks will be more expensive due to inflation that has gripped the nation.  You can expect to pay up to 25% more for the same fireworks you bought last year according to a survey of local pyrotechnic purveyors.

As with any shopping season however getting in early and often and hitting multiple locations is the best strategy.  With the 4th of July landing on a Monday that means Friday, (which many people are taking off from the office) Saturday and Sunday will be three days leading up to the big bang and that means large crowds at the fireworks-stands.

The lighting off of state approved “safe and sane” fireworks are still allowed in a handful of Inland Empire communities, like the City of San Bernardino. Fireworks sales are a benefit annually to many non-profits, such as youth sports leagues and teams and church groups.  Of-course a very large percentage of fireworks that are illegal in the State of California still find their way into the night on the 4^th of July throughout the region.

Most of these illegal fireworks are brought in via the State of Nevada.  There are about a dozen stores near the border that sell fireworks and Californians routinely go there to buy the more powerful fireworks that are not sold in California.  So every bottle rocket you see is probably from a store in Nevada.

The sale and use of fireworks in a locale where they are not legal is a crime under California law and you may be arrested and or face serious fines.