The tradition of celebrating the Fourth of July with fireworks has never been more popular, say vendors like Ed Clark, who erected his Big Boom Fireworks white tent in plenty of time for the upcoming holiday weekend.

Clark said his business, located at 4148 Hwy. 15 N., is stocked with over 150 varieties of fireworks, ranging from standard firecrackers to the powerful “Red Devil,” a massive mound of power equipped with over 16,000 ignitable explosives.

“A lot of people buy the Red Devil because they like the fact that they can light it and it will keep going for almost an hour,” said Clark. “It costs $140, but that’s not bad when you consider it’s easier to light and lasts a lot longer than individual firecrackers.”

Clark said the most popular-sellers are bottle rockets, Roman candles and run-of-the-mill firecrackers. He said motorists often slow down when passing his massive white tent and many have already stopped by to check out his stash.

While interest appears to be strong despite an economic downturn that has curbed extra spending, sales probably won’t pick up until Friday and even Saturday, he said.

“I’m not sure why, but everyone waits until the last minute to buy their fireworks,” he said. “Lots of people have stopped by to look at what we have and some are buying, but we don’t expect to get really busy until right before the night of the Fourth. In many cases, people will wait until late Saturday to come by and get what they need for that night.”

For those who can’t wait until Saturday night, Clark will offer a 30-minute preview of spectacular fireworks Friday night at 9 p.m. behind his stand on Hwy. 11. He said 3-D glasses will be distributed to enhance the illuminated sky.

The 2nd annual “Seeing Stars” event is also scheduled for Friday night in Pinehurst Park, located across from City Hall on North 5th Ave. in downtown Laurel, said Laurel Express executive director Jacqueline Lee.

Residents are invited to gather at 7 p.m. and watch the fireworks show launched from Sawmill Square Mall. Lee said those attending should bring their own chair or blanket. Hot dogs and beverages will be sold.

Along with the desire to light up the sky with explosives comes a risk of bodily injury ranging from minor burns to serious injury. State and local officials urge fireworks-shooters to pay special attention to safety guidelines and avoid illegal devices to help ensure a safe Independence Day holiday.

“The Fourth of July is a great holiday,” said Sate Fire Marshal Mike Chaney, who also serves as Insurance Commissioner. “But too often the unsafe use of fireworks spoils what should have been a great family outing. The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a show put on by professionals who are trained to handle fireworks.”

Chaney urged residents who plan to shoot their own fireworks to check with their local county and fire protection officials before shooting fireworks to determine that local laws are being followed. Buying from reliable sellers is also a must, along with storing the items in a cool, dry place prior to setting them off.

Laurel Fire Chief David Chance said it is illegal to shoot fireworks within city limits. He urged residents to attend one of the organized fireworks displays taking place around the city. Those outside city limits that plan to shoot fireworks should exhibit “extreme caution, common sense when handling them and follow the proper safety measures,” Chance said.

“I can’t stress enough how dangerous fireworks can be if not handled properly,” Chance said. “They can cause all types of injuries such as serious damage to the eyes and severe burns on hands. In addition, fireworks are the cause of numerous fires from not extinguishing them properly or shooting them into dry areas, he said.

Due to the dry weather Mississippi is presently experiencing, Chaney also offered a word of caution about the probability of an unnecessary fire this year if fireworks are not handled correctly. Fireworks should always be shot outdoors away from homes, dry grass and trees. Last year, close to 200 fires in Mississippi were caused by fireworks, he said.

Sparklers are popular with the smaller set and many parents feel they are safe for children to light and hold. However, Chaney said extreme caution should be exhibited when allowing children to light sparklers.

“The tip of a sparkler can reach up to 1,2000 degrees and can cause third degree burns,” Chaney said. “Use common sense if you are handling fireworks and never give them to children.”

According to the National Fire Protection Association, two out of five fireworks injury victims last year were under the age of 15. The highest rate of injuries per million population were to children ages 5-9 and 10-14.