St. Joseph getting fired up for fireworks this Fourth of July

By Leah Rainwater

As people prepare for America’s 248th birthday, fireworks are a must-have to celebrate Independence Day. 

When asked what their favorite fireworks were, some shoppers and employees at Kovac’s Firework Stand were excited to share their love for sparklers, smoke bombs, bottle rockets and more.

Callie Farrell, a manager at Kovac’s, said she enjoys the rush around the Fourth.

“All the busyness around the holiday,” said Callie Farrell, a manager at Kovac’s. “It’s kind of like Christmas, but in the summertime.”

For some customers, it’s not necessarily about the type of firework, but rather the sounds of the celebration that make it fun. 

“(Watching) the fireworks go boom, boom, boom,” said Malachi Vandelinde.

Clarity Wealth Development reports that Americans spent more than $2.3 billion on fireworks in 2023. 

And that’s a price Americans are willing to pay to celebrate freedom and remembrance. 

“Personally to me, it’s like celebrating the loved ones or people that like sacrificed their lives and stuff for us,” said Torshana Vandelinde, a customer at Kovac’s