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Highlands Today

It's Fireworks Season Again In The Heartland

KATHY WATERS/HIGHLANDS TODAY

Debbie Bixler of Sebring sets up a fireworks display on Wednesday at the Albertson's parking lot in Sebring. TNT Fireworks opens today at 10 a.m. to sell fireworks for the New Year celebrations.

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By Dan  Fearson | Highlands Today

Published: December 27, 2007

SEBRING — Break out your matches. Blistering sky, maddogg and sonic boom fireworks are now for sale.

Judy Ray will open up her TNT Fireworks stand at 10 a.m. today in front of Albertsons grocery store, located at 3610 U.S. 27 N.

"We sell what are called 'safe and sane' fireworks," said Ray. "We don't sell the explosive kind."

Fireworks available at the stand include sparklers and stand-up displays that spray multi-colored sparkles and designs. Also available are classics like snakes and party poppers.

Ray said that the New Year's Eve only ranks behind the Fourth of July in fireworks sales, with sales at about one-third as many as the July holiday. Ray's tent will be open until New Year's Day.

Because of an increase in gas and oil prices increasing the cost of transportation, Ray said that this season will be the first time she has had a raise in firework prices since she started tent sales.

Over the past several years, Ray has donated the profits she made from selling the fireworks to local charities, although this season she will keep the money because she is taking care of family members who live with her. Ray started selling fireworks four years ago after she saw a newspaper advertisement seeking independent contractors to sell the products.

Ray said that an inspector with the Florida State Fire Marshal's office would be checking her stand out this morning before she could officially open. Ray does not sell fireworks to minors under the age of 16 and said that most of her customers use common sense while engaging in the firework activity.

"We don't sell anything that's really explosive, so there are not as many emergency risks involved with our fireworks," said Ray. "We tell our customers to use caution, although most of them know what they're doing and are already cautious."

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