July 4th in West Texas: What’s Popular and Some Things to Know

July 4th is the biggest holiday of the Summer with people just bursting at the seams for the great food, family games, and stellar fireworks. There is the big question on everyone's mind and that's what kind of fireworks should you buy?

Kid in a Candy Store

The second best feeling as a kid is when you get in the car and pull up to the firework stand and have a wide selection to choose from but it can be overwhelming especially now that so many new fireworks are out. You cannot go wrong with the classic sparklers, roman candles, and best of all mortars, which are usually seen on New Year's Eve lighting up the night sky.

I had the opportunity to go to a local firework stand, with air conditioning, and surprised that the classics are still some of the most popular items year in and out. Mortars though seem to be the hot ticket item along with the assorted packs that have just bunches of different fireworks, in case you are indecisive.The popular items for the kiddos does seem to be the tiny poppers that you throw, sparklers, smoke bombs, tanks, chickens (my personal favorites) and even the snakes. Snakes are those pills that are hard to light and make a long pile of ash when you do get it started.

Apparently bottle rockets are not as popular as they once were since they seem to be more on the unpredictable side when they fly off, they can also cause serious fires. I do suggest some of the cones that send a shower of sparks about six to eight feet high and maybe anything that spins along with the mortars, you have to get at least one mortar.

Consequences

When you go to the firework stand just remember the Lubbock city ordinance that everyone follows (wink) and that's that no fireworks are allowed within the city limits. So many people tend to go to the rural areas to set off their fireworks but there are some things to remember. Bring water with you just in case of a fire from any of the fireworks and bring a few trash bags to pick up after yourself. No seriously, pick up after yourself and Keep Texas Beautiful because it's dangerous to wildlife, people, and makes it seem we have no pride in our state. So enjoy your fireworks just be a true Texan and put on a show then cleanup.