Since Father’s Day weekend, Kong, the giant gorilla, has welcomed one and all to stop and explore Fireworks Kingdom in the 7,000-square-foot tent on the north side of Sterns Road, just east of the US 23 overpass. The large showroom, open daily from 8 am to 10 pm, ensures that all those wanting to celebrate the nation’s birthday are well equipped in a bang-up way.
The tent is filled with a seemingly endless supply of fireworks from one end of the massive tent to the other. There is everything from on-the-ground displays to color-filled bursts that are launched 140 to 150 feet in the air.
“There are single items priced under $1, up to large boxes containing multiple displays at all different price points and the best part is that everything is ‘Buy one Get one FREE!’ Customers can find all of the popular items that they look forward to every year. Plus, there are many of the newest items on the market, including several brands that are exclusive to Fireworks Kingdom, such as RGS, Flame Thrower and Big Dog Fireworks. The five-inch Black Widow 60 gram mortars are very popular and have 24 different colored bursts,” noted owner Nate Johnston.
In preparation for next year’s celebration of America’s 250 years, several companies have released red, white, and blue displays, which are also available for sale and use this year.
“Shoppers can check out what’s in each package by scanning the bar code on our large viewing screen to see what they can expect. This way they know what they are buying,” Johnston emphasized.
“We all have a great time here. This is a fun summer job and everyone who works here is like family,” Johnston reported. This is evidenced by manager Diane Ritterbach, who has worked here since Fireworks Kingdom opened on this site 13 years ago, along with her children as they were growing up. Manager KJ Abair has been in this location for the past 10 years, and the rest of the Fireworks Kingdom team is also local.
“It truly is a family business. My wife, Janelle, programs all of the point of sales machines, my son, Blaze, and daughters, Nola and Everest, have grown up working in the business,” Johnston reported.
No stranger to this industry, Johnston started working for a fireworks company when he was just 13 years old. “I wanted a job, and the only person who would hire me was the owner of this fireworks company. It was a great job and I loved the business. I was a high school junior when the owner wanted to retire, so I bought his company,” he remembered. “That was 40 years ago, and I still love the business.”
According to Johnston, approximately 90 percent of all fireworks are manufactured in China, however, the US is, by far, the largest consumer of fireworks in the world. He also noted that fireworks have come a long way in his 40-plus years of experience. Today, the fireworks are regulated by the US government with rigorous testing to obtain consumer ratings. “Thanks to these regulations, fireworks are safer to use,” he stated.
However, Johnston reminds those who choose to light fireworks that they need to use common sense and not drink alcohol when setting off fireworks. “Always have a bucket of water or a hose nearby, and keep spectators at least 80 to 100 feet away from launch sites,” Johnston cautioned. “And do not use an open flame like lighters or road flares to ignite fireworks. A handheld torch or punk is much safer.” he added.
Americans have been setting off fireworks on the Fourth of July since the first anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 1777 in cities such as Philadelphia. Early in the 19th century, colored fireworks became more widely available with the introduction of metals like barium and strontium. Now, fireworks remain a central part of Fourth of July celebrations, with both organized displays and personal use contributing to the tradition.
Sylvania and Sylvania
Township Regulations
Fireworks are legal in Sylvania and Sylvania Township with restrictions. Ohio law permits the use of consumer-grade fireworks on specific dates, including July 3, 4, and 5, as well as the weekends surrounding the Fourth of July, and New Year’s Eve. Discharge is permitted between 4 and 11 pm. However, the discharge of fireworks is still prohibited on public property and private school property.