Latest news with #PhantomFireworks
Atlantic
03-07-2025
- Atlantic
Fireworks: An American Odyssey
My father dislikes firework shows, for all the reasons that a man who passed his youth squeezing a trigger in the name of God and country dislikes firework shows. He loves fireworks, however, if he's the one lighting them, a psychological loophole that he and I have availed ourselves of at a number of East Coast tourist-trap locales over the years. Our most recent adventure was an excursion to South Carolina when I was in my 20s: We loaded up a rented golf cart with an immoderate amount of fireworks and a moderate amount of Miller Lite and set off for the beach to enjoy both. The golf cart was road-legal, but whether the fireworks were beach-legal was a question I didn't think to ask. I was living in New York City at the time, besotted with its buzzy restaurants and rooftop bars, and that trip, with its unpretentious excitement, is when I started to appreciate my dad's quiet enthusiasm for simple fun. It was also when I began to suspect that I might one day run out of zeal for New York's inexhaustible supply of novel experiences. That was about a decade ago, when I was unencumbered and not especially concerned with following local fireworks ordinances. Now, however, I am a father and a husband, have decamped to Maine, and am an ostensibly respectable member of the nation's citizenry. So when I set out this week with the goal of re-creating the fireworks-on-the-beach experience I'd had with my father, I wanted to do it by the book. I thought this would be straightforward. Fireworks, like sports gambling, weed, and other common vices, have been on a slow march toward legalization in recent decades. (Perhaps unsurprisingly, fireworks injuries in America have risen as legalization has spread. A report released in June estimated that the number of fireworks-related ER visits in 2024 was 40 percent higher than in 2014.) The only state that still bans all consumer fireworks outright is Massachusetts, which means that the one place where you can't celebrate American freedom with a bang is where the fight for American freedom began with a bang. Maine, by contrast, has some of the most permissive fireworks laws in the country. I assumed that all I would need to do was drive to the gas station for beer, the fireworks store for supplies, and a local beach for kaboom. I had no idea I'd end up on a days-long odyssey with the un-Homeric goal of finding a stretch of oceanfront on which to legally deploy several hundred dollars' worth of consumer-grade pyrotechnics. I was right about one thing: Procuring fireworks legally was easy. (Though it was not cheap—prices this year are considerably higher than I remember, the result of inflation and tariffs.) I walked into my local Phantom Fireworks store on Monday, showed my ID to an employee—who apparently forgot to give me the safety spiel that I later heard him rattle off for other customers—and walked up and down the aisles, surveying the merchandise. I was at once overwhelmed by the panorama of distinctly American excess and moved by the great variety of American life to which it attested. I discovered recreational explosives for every sort of person residing within this country's borders, befitting every kind of enthusiasm and ideological commitment: castle-doctrine 'STAND YOUR GROUND' fireworks for the Second Amendment fanatic ($349.99), Rosie the Riveter fireworks for the feminist ($120.00), Illuminati-triangle fireworks for the conspiracist ($49.99), 'SINGULARITY' fireworks for the AI enthusiast ($135.00), lobster-festooned 'Wicked Pissah' fireworks for the New Englander ($49.99), Battle of Yorktown fireworks for history buffs ($179.99), 'Shagadellic Mojo' fireworks for the horny customer ($44.99), suggestively silhouetted 'Mega Mojo!' fireworks for the very horny customer ($149.99), and, my personal favorite, Boyz II Men fireworks for those who love soulful harmonies ($199.99). Of the available ways that an adult can spend hundreds of dollars on 20-odd seconds of pleasure, the Boyz II Men 'End of the Road'–themed Phantom Fireworks special is certainly among the more virtuous. The store also offered an abundance of firework types: bombettes, mortars, ground-bound fountains that emit a volcanic torrent of sparks. I was nearly seduced by a Komodo-dragon-themed fountain, but I believe that a true firework should go up and go boom, and a man must stand on principle. After half a dozen laps through the aisles, I marched up to the cash register with five offerings, all in the aerial 'cake' style that fires flaming balls from a series of concealed mortar tubes: one that seemed inspired by Jaws and one by Jurassic Park (my favorite Spielberg movies); one 'Wicked Pissah' (which seemed obligatory); one 'Bait a Hook' box, catering to fishermen (in keeping with my angling obsession); and a generic rah-rah-patriotism package with the overwrought name ''Neath the Red, White and Blue.' Later, seized with irrational panic that I lacked a real showstopper, I returned to the store and asked the first purple-shirted Phantom employee I saw for something under $200 that would make a real impression. He wordlessly shuffled to the farthest wall, pulled a package labeled 'Geomagnetic Storm' ($129.99) from a high display, and gave the box a hearty slap on its side, as you might burp a baby. 'They like this one,' he reported. I do not know who 'they' are, but I trusted their taste implicitly. I left the store considerably poorer and with the unshakable conviction that although the American project may not yet endure, no one can say we don't have fun. Where to have that fun was another matter. The ease with which I legally purchased the fireworks lulled me into overoptimism about the ease with which I could legally deploy them. As I soon found out, although Maine takes a rather laissez-faire approach to fireworks at the state level, many of the state's local municipalities enforce their own restrictions. Some areas designate specific dates and times when fireworks can be set off (most commonly, July Fourth and New Year's Eve); others ban them year-round. On top of this, my desire to launch fireworks from a beach was a problem: Maine allows consumer fireworks to be used only on private property, and I do not, alas, have a house with its own beach. I was curious if I might be able to finagle a maritime workaround. I contacted some local fire departments to ask about the permissibility, and wisdom, of deploying small fireworks from a boat. (I do not have a boat, but I do have a friend with a boat and poor judgment.) At first, no one I spoke with was able to definitively say whether this option was safe or legal, but one recommended that I call a Coast Guard information line. My Coast Guard query yielded no answers, but it did lead to the suggestion that I contact Maine's fire-marshal office, where at last a diligent and helpful public servant told me that launching fireworks from a personal watercraft is absolutely illegal. But they also added—perhaps wink-winkingly, definitely humorously—that the fire marshal 'issued zero citations for this in 2024.' My many phone calls, one in-person visit to the fire department, and hours of scrutinizing local fireworks laws led me to realize that my modest goal of legally setting off fireworks on a beach in observation of this country's birthday was far too ambitious. I was forced to not let the perfect be the enemy of the good, and to compromise. The specifics of that compromise I leave up to the reader's imagination, but the upshot is that $300.60 of civilian-market explosives eventually met their logical end in an extravagant and all-too-brief flurry of detonations. To my slight disappointment, the fireworks I had bought, including the fabled Geomagnetic Storm, were largely indistinguishable from one another. Regardless of price or theme, they did about the same thing after I lit them: shot up into the sky with a hiss, exploded in a cacophony, and issued a last burst of light and color. But they still had their evergreen capacity to elicit an involuntary squeal of delight from a grown man. In the end, fun was had, 10 fingers were retained, the holiday was celebrated, and the resulting video was texted to my father, who immediately asked the only question that matters: 'What else do you have? Any mortars?' God bless America.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tariffs could mean fewer — and pricier — fireworks displays this July 4
Fireworks, a hallmark of July 4th celebrations, are feeling the impact of President Trump's trade war with China. More than 95% of the fireworks sold in the U.S. come from China, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. And while sales of pyrotechnics have grown in past years as more states and counties loosen restrictions, tariffs have snarled some firework importers' plans this year. For retailers, the week before July 4 is the busiest time of the year for fireworks sales. In a normal year, shelves would be fully stocked. This year, with a 30% U.S. tariff in place on imports from China, fireworks fans may find a slimmer selection and higher prices. That's because some importers asked Chinese sellers to halt orders, when sky-high 145% U.S. tariffs were in place on China. A May trade truce between the countries lowered the the levy to 30%. "The timing of the tariffs couldn't have hit at a worse time. The majority of U.S. importers told China, 'Do not ship our product, we can't afford to pay," Julie Heckman, executive director of the American Pyrotechnics Association, told CBS News. "It's creating a supply-chain problem. The disruption is leading to fewer choices and higher prices for consumers this Independence Day, according to Bill Weimer, vice president of Phantom Fireworks, a major vendor. "On about 30% of our products, there's going to be some effect in the price," he told CBS News, although he noted that Phantom would absorb at least some of the higher tariff costs and not pass all of it on to consumers. As U.S. importers put orders on hold, China temporarily halted production of fireworks earlier this year. With the two countries taking steps last week to ease their trade dispute, the longer term impact on fireworks products remains to be seen. Saving money vs. saving lives The true cost of the Senate spending bill New Tennessee laws make it illegal to shelter undocumented immigrants
CBS News
30-06-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Tariffs could mean fewer — and pricier — fireworks displays this July 4
Fireworks, a hallmark of July 4th celebrations, are feeling the impact of President Trump's trade war with China. More than 95% of the fireworks sold in the U.S. come from China, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. And while sales of pyrotechnics have grown in past years as more states and counties loosen restrictions, tariffs have snarled some firework importers' plans this year. For retailers, the week before July 4 is the busiest time of the year for fireworks sales. In a normal year, shelves would be fully stocked. This year, with a 30% U.S. tariff in place on imports from China, fireworks fans may find a slimmer selection and higher prices. That's because some importers asked Chinese sellers to halt orders, when sky-high 145% U.S. tariffs were in place on China. A May trade truce between the countries lowered the the levy to 30%. "The timing of the tariffs couldn't have hit at a worse time. The majority of U.S. importers told China, 'Do not ship our product, we can't afford to pay," Julie Heckman, executive director of the American Pyrotechnics Association, told CBS News. "It's creating a supply-chain problem. The disruption is leading to fewer choices and higher prices for consumers this Independence Day, according to Bill Weimer, vice president of Phantom Fireworks, a major vendor. "On about 30% of our products, there's going to be some effect in the price," he told CBS News, although he noted that Phantom would absorb at least some of the higher tariff costs and not pass all of it on to consumers. As U.S. importers put orders on hold, China temporarily halted production of fireworks earlier this year. With the two countries taking steps last week to ease their trade dispute, the longer term impact on fireworks products remains to be seen.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Phantom Fireworks expands into new location
NILES, Ohio (WKBN) — Pyrotechnic lovers rejoice: Phantom Fireworks is coming to the Eastwood Mall Complex. Ron Zoldan is the vice president and head of the development department for Phantom Fireworks and says the company has been in talks with the Eastwood Mall and the Cafaro family for the past three years to blast this location into the mall complex. This is the company's first-ever mall complex location, and they're very excited. 'It's definitely a nuance for us, but we're excited to be in this location,' Zoldan said. 'There's 12 million people that visit the Eastwood Mall each year, so we're hoping to be a part of that Eastwood family and we're hoping to bring customers to the Eastwood Mall that are coming for fireworks and vice versa.' He said they hope to have the new location open by Memorial Day weekend or the beginning of June, depending on how construction progresses. While opening is still at least a month out, the 'Phantom Fireworks' sign is already in place. Zoldan says at least for this first year, the steep tariffs on China should not impact the new store's stock, as they already have about 90% of their inventory. 'In the coming years, it surely could affect costs of fireworks and the amount of importing we can do, but we are putting our faith in the administration that we will get past it and be, exemptions that need to be made for industries if they cannot go elsewhere will hopefully be put in place.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Discrimination allegations reignite after county commissioners deny fireworks permit again
CHEYENNE — When the Laramie County commissioners denied Artillery World and Jurassic Fireworks a permit to sell fireworks in the county last year, Frank 'Pete' Elliott Jr. accused the governing body of discrimination against the stores for being Colorado-owned, likening it to discrimination against minorities during the Civil Rights era in the 1960s. 'This is going to be a Rosa Parks book,' Elliott, who represented the businesses, told the WTE last year. 'Everybody's going to know.' On Tuesday, the county commissioners again voted to deny the annual permit for Artillery World to operate. Despite being denied a permit twice last year, the businesses were able to continue to operate after a First Judicial District Court judge issued a preliminary injunction when the fireworks businesses sued the county over its decision. This means the businesses continued to operate until the court passes judgment on whether the commissioners' decision was lawful as part of the petitions for review filed by each company. Commissioner Ty Zwonitzer said he did not feel comfortable approving this permit while the litigation between the county and Elliott is ongoing. Commissioner Troy Thompson echoed this sentiment. But the primary reason members of the governing body oppose issuing the permits is because they see the fireworks stores as bad business partners for the county. Last year, Thompson said in a commissioners meeting discussing the permit that Elliott would project recorded messages on bullhorns criticizing Phantom Fireworks, which is next door. The Laramie County Sheriff's Office had to address noise complaints there multiple times. Additionally, he said employees would stand on top of tractor-trailers waving flags, and stand in the middle of the road to direct traffic to their store, instead of the nearby rivals. Elliott said these were just his unorthodox marketing tactics in response to rumors he believed Phantom Fireworks started about him, including that he sexually harassed their female employees, attempted to pay people to burn down their building and sends people to damage Phantom's products. Artillery World and Jurassic Fireworks are registered under the name Breanna Elliott, Frank Elliott's daughter, but Frank Elliott oversees much of the operations of the fireworks businesses and has been vocally critical of the commissioners. The cases against the county were filed under Breanna's name, not Frank's. Thompson's concerns rose when his personal business received a call from Frank Elliott about an upcoming protest against his vote to deny the permit, something he has done for the past six years. When the commissioners met Tuesday, Thompson played the recording of the phone call to his office. He said the call took place in May 2024. In the call, Elliott asked the receptionist how many employees work at Tri-State Veterinary Clinic, which Thompson owns. 'Weird question,' Elliott said of his inquiry in the call, 'but we are looking to protect some of the employees and staff from what's coming to happen here real soon. ... There's going to be a big protest … there's going to be a big protest outside coming up in the next week or so and we just want to make sure that the employees know it's nothing towards them, and there's no harm, that they're going to be safe, we're not going to do nothing out to disrupt them.' Thompson said he took this call as a personal threat toward him and his business. 'It just goes to this history of this man being a bully to our employees, to whoever it is that he thinks is standing in his way,' Thompson said. 'And I cannot, in good conscience, ever vote for this person to be doing business in Laramie County. This isn't what we want in Laramie County.' Commission Chairman Gunnar Malm agreed with Thompson, adding that it is inappropriate for a member of the public to threaten or protest in this manner. 'I don't see how that is appropriate in any world where we're a civilized society, especially not in Wyoming,' Malm said. Malm added that this not a case of discrimination against the business for being Colorado-owned, because the other fireworks stores in the same area are based out of state, as well, but have had their permits approved. 'It has nothing to do with that. It is about behavior, it's about attitude, and it is about decorum,' he said. 'And those are the things that I strongly believe this applicant does not possess, and I am against allowing them to do business in Laramie County if this is how they're going to behave.' The protest never happened at Thompson's business. Thompson said he believes it is because the stores were awarded a preliminary injunction to remain operational. Elliott said he does not believe the call indicated any sort of threat. Rather, he said he was looking out for the safety of Thompson's employees while wanting to exercise his right to organize a peaceful protest. 'I didn't hear it, but I can imagine there's no threat because I don't threaten people. That's my M.O.,' Elliott said. He added that he knew the denial of the permit was coming because that's what he's come to expect from the Laramie County commissioners. Elliott said he will seek every legal remedy possible to overturn the decision the commissioners made Tuesday, something he said last year after the same decision. When granted the injunction last year, the fireworks stores were given conditions to follow in order to keep the business open while the litigation plays out. Those conditions were: * Nobody representing Artillery World or Jurassic Fireworks could enter the right of way using a bullhorn, waving flags or engaging in activities to direct people toward their property * If using a bullhorn, it could only be from their property and not from an elevated platform, though speakers on their building are acceptable, as long as these sounds do not exceed 80 decibels at the property's border; and * Nobody representing Artillery World or Jurassic Fireworks can engage in any harassment or conduct that is likely to disturb or interfere with other fireworks business operations. Bruce Asay, Elliott's legal counsel, said the businesses have abided by those conditions over the past year, and he argued the commissioners have no legal grounds to deny the permit. The commissioners also voted to fold those three conditions into any subsequent fireworks permit applications for any business in the county, something Asay said he is supportive of.
