By TERESA LEE
The Wellington News
Excitement under the big top is usually reserved for the circus, but fireworks stands sporting the conspicuous stripes are starting to see their fill of firework fanatics.
Fireworks went on sale at 10 a.m. Wednesday and the four stands in Wellington are seeing customers trickle in to get their firepower fill.
Everything from the smallest sparklers to the biggest Black Cats are on sale and on display, but owners say it’s the smaller bangs customers are looking for early in the holiday season.
“We’ve sold a lot of the novelty items like the flowers and the spinners and the sparklers, we’ve also sold a bunch of the value packs,” said Goddard-based Farrah Fireworks stand manager Sam Cohlmia.
Sparklers, firecrackers and those fireworks able to be seen during the day were big sellers on Wednesday afternoon, though owners expected the artillery shells and bombs full of flash to be flying off the shelves as the sunset.
“There are a lot of people saying they would come back and get the big stuff but it’s mostly the day stuff — firecrackers that they are buying now,” said Bobby Waldschmidt of Wholesale Fireworks, who says 35 people had been through the stand as of that afternoon.
Though sales were steady, they are expected to pick up as the holiday nears, Cohlmia said.
“It’s been very steady...we’ve had about three or four people in here the entire day, all day long,” he said.
Firework sales aren’t expected to be affected because of the economy — in fact, sales may go sky high because of it.
With more people staying home for the Fourth with family and friends, fireworks are a simple way to keep all entertained and for a cheaper price than a hotel room or beach vacation, owners said.
“I don’t see it being cut back on. I don’t know why but it looks like everybody is still wanting to celebrate the Fourth of July. It’s kind of the patriotic thing to do,” said Cohlmia. “You gotta shoot something sometime.”
Customers are still wanting more flash, bang, boom and pop for their buck, however.
“We’ve got some great deals on some six pack and 12-pack aerials that has been going well in all our stands. We have plenty of them we just have to keep them up all day long,” said Cohlmia.
Specials are running rampant throughout the four stands as owners try to make the most of the holiday weekend.
Adolescent boys looking for a good time during their summer vacation were filling the stand across from Wal-mart.
“I’m going to buy a bunch of firecrackers and night time stuff and some bombs,” said Trevor Mirt of his purchase. He said he loves the flash of the fireworks best.
Tyson and Trenton Hodson aren’t going to wait for dark to start in on the Fourth fun — each brother carrying his own basket of explosives. Black Cats are their father, Jerry Hodson’s, favorite and Tyson had his red basket full of them. He was antsy to get home.
“Tonight. Maybe right when I get home,” he said of when his stash would be used.
Their mother doesn’t see her family spending less on fireworks this year.
“They are spending their money, not mine,” said Jill Hodson. Getting paid for grades and chores will leave the brothers with money available for fireworks of their choice, though Hodson suspects she’ll be back.
“I’m sure we’ll be back out there. I have no doubt. This will probably get us started and once they know what they like we’ll be back out here,” said Hodson.
Wellington, Kan. —
