MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – With the 4th of July right around the corner, many residents will be thinking of purchasing fireworks, and with roadside fireworks stands popping up across the region, they are easy to find.
At Spread Eagle Fireworks in Marquette, they’re loaded for bear. Literally. The amount of state-of-the-art pyrotechnics up for sale is impressive, a far cry from the sparklers and smoke bombs of yesteryear.
“I’m just amazed at how refined the shows are now, right, the timing of them, how they’re wicked, the colors of them, how crisp the breaks are, how clear everything is,” said Joe Kriegle, of Spread Eagle Fireworks.
As fireworks get more advanced, so does the cost. A single box may contain dozens of various fireworks with many different effects and a steep price tag. So many people split the bill.
“A lot of people sometimes will pitch in with their neighbors, pull up a bunch of money, come in and buy a bunch of stuff, and then put on a show for the block. So it’s kind of cool,” explained Kriegle.
Spread Eagle Fireworks has a lot of things that go boom, but before you light that fuse, always know the rules and keep safety as priority one.
“The biggest issue that we’ve had is individuals lighting them off in public places, such as the road, the public streets, what the law allows for is for you to shoot them off on your own private property,” said Chief Radabaugh.
Ishpeming Police Chief Chad Radabaugh says the laws are just reflections of common sense.
“One of our other biggest issues is individuals under the influence of alcohol, lighting off fireworks, which is also illegal. Some are kind of the big things. We want everyone to have a safe time, a good time, but do it in a safe way,” said Radabaugh.
Joe Kriegel also urges people to always buy from licensed vendors, read and follow all the instructions carefully, keep a bucket of water or a hose nearby, and, most importantly, supervise children and keep pets safely indoors.
