As many people get ready to watch big fireworks shows, the price has boomed as well.
Firework prices are skyrocketing this 4th of July holiday. Vendors say the cost of the product itself hasn’t increased much, but the cost of shipping has increased dramatically.
Overall costs are up 35-percent across the industry, according to the American Pyrotechnics Association. A recent report from the trade association points to shipping rates, raw materials and labor costs forcing consumers to shell out more money. About 95-percent of consumer fireworks come from China, and the price to import products has more than quadrupled over the last three years. Retailers and distributors still say they are better prepared to match demand this year after a shortage the last two years when public shows were canceled driving up firework sales due to COVID.
Retailers say people have been understanding of the price increase.
With the price tag doing little to stop people from planning shows, The Big Apple is gearing up for the nation’s largest Fourth of July fireworks celebration.
The 46th annual Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks display will use five barges in the East River to launch more than 48-thousand shells and effects. The show will feature new effects like blinking smiley faces, scattering stars and whistling jellyfish. The musical score will showcase patriotic songs by the US Army Field Band and Soldier Chorus.
The celebrations aren’t all in the sky.
The most famous competitive eater around is not letting an injury stop him from defending his title. Joey Chestnut, the 14-time Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest champion, is set to defend his title today despite a ruptured tendon in his right leg. He will sport crutches as he looks to break his world record from last year that saw him eat 76 hot dogs and buns in just ten minutes.
