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July 3, 2009

Skies will dazzle for Fourth despite tough economy

Shabrelle Pollock The News and Tribune Fri Jul 03, 2009, 02:05 PM EDT

Southern Indiana residents will be lighting the sky with a flurry of sparks and colors this Fourth of July, despite the down economy.

Local fireworks stands have seen steady business since they began setting up weeks ago, and some still anticipate that their biggest selling date has yet to come.

“[Our best selling days are] absolutely the third and the fourth. Absolutely,” Edward Odom said.

He serves as the associate pastor for Apostolic Truth Tabernacle in Jeffersonville. As a fundraiser for their church, Odom and others run the TNT Fireworks tent located in the Meijer parking lot. He chalked the last-minute rush up to buyer planning, or lack thereof.

“[There’s] a lot of shopping around, just like Christmas,” he said laughing. “Why does everyone wait ’til the last minute to buy Christmas presents?”

Understanding that there are a growing number of price-conscious customers, some fireworks businesses are attempting to attract shoppers by offering special deals.

“The price of buying fireworks for us has gone up, so that’s caused us to have to increase prices [for customers] a little bit, but we’ve tried to offer more deals,” said Cristina O’Nan.

O’Nan works the Shaboom Fireworks tent along State Street in New Albany.

“We’re doing coupon matching from Phantom [Fireworks] and other fireworks stands, so we’re just trying to get people in,” she said.

For some, it’s the tradition of the holiday that compels them to spend a little extra for the celebration.

“[In years past], I’ve always been the technical person for [fireworks at] the Church of Nazarene,” New Albany resident and Shaboom customer Bob Thomas said.

He said that though a number of the members have organized smaller family celebrations this year, he would continue to carry the torch for those planning to see the fireworks at the church.

“I’ll be getting together with a few people from church for a picnic,” he said.

Those joining in are promised good food and a fantastic fireworks show, he said.

Sparklers, bottle rockets and artillery shells are among some of the most popular items, as well as package deals which include a larger assortment of fireworks. Both the Shaboom and TNT stands have fared well overall this year.

“Economy wise, we’re probably up 3 percent [in sales] from last year,” Odom said.

O’Nan saw growth in customer popularity for her tent.

“I’ve had a lot of repeat customers,” she said.

She felt that taking time out to celebrate the holidays was a good way for families to escape day-to-day worries the economy may have placed on them.

“It’s a good way to relax and have fun,” she said. “I know a lot of people have their family over, [family] they maybe don’t see for the rest of the year, but they get together for the Fourth of July. It’s important to them.”

Along with adding a spark of magic to a day spent with family and friends, Odom also said setting off a few fireworks was the highlight of a day celebrating the real reason for the festivities — our independence.

“We’re celebrating our country’s independence first and foremost,” he said. “That’s the biggest thing. I believe that as an American, you should be patriotic, and this is just one form of going out and celebrating our patriotism and our freedom.”

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