July 4th counts for 18% of The US’s Firework Industry Revenue

This is what I think about.

While my dog is quivering for four days straight due to sounds of pollution exploding into the air.

I’m not a huge fireworks personally (clearly).

As a kid I enjoyed the family and friends moments around the displays, but I don’t remember being in awe of them — and now as an adult I’m so annoyed by them (yes, yes, I know, it’s a hot take).

But there is an increasing amount of fireworks going off every year.

This shocks me for a few reasons. But after some deep googling I can’t believe how LARGE the firework industry is.

Get this:

In 2019 the firework industry was about $1B in revenue

By end of 2020 the firework industry had done $1.9B in revenue. Thats a huge jump.

Even crazier — I would assume it would drop after Covid year… nope.

In 2022 the industry turned over $2.3B in revenue. Only $400M of that (~17%) is display fireworks, like Macy’s Fourth of July Show.

Again, I don’t love fireworks. But after reading I have some interesting take aways:

• As Laws relax in states, shops in small towns that are economically suffering are able to capitalize on an easy market entrance for a high profit good (& pretty great shelf life I may add).

• Firework displays, like Macys, are absolutely horrid for the environment… we can get to that a different time. But!! They help employ workers on a regular basis, they have to pay the cities and insurance coverage - all helping give a financial influx just to pop some colored gun powder.

• Fireworks are largely made abroad helping us trade, mainly with India — on the flip side, these factories are extremely toxic. Working conditions are horrible and wages can help the employee buy a banana for the day’s meal.

Pros and Cons to everything, I guess we all have to pick our poison.

The USA chose Fireworks as one of their poisons though.

I wonder if there is a less toxic way to get the thrill of fireworks, but all the economic benefits?

Hmm…