By Amanda Raymond

amanda.raymond@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Whether it’s fountain fireworks in the backyard or a 15-minute display high up in the night sky, it isn’t Independence Day without fireworks.

At a Keystone Fireworks stand in the Salisbury Marketplace Shopping Center off of Statesville Boulevard, employee Sebastian Mccraken said sales have been building as the days get closer to July 4.

“It’s been good these last couple days,” he said.

He said some of the best-sellers this year have been the Spaced Out robot and the Wrath of the Beast, both of which spew colorful sparks into the air. Mccracken said the younger children enjoy the Spaced Out robot while the Wrath of the Beast is a more powerful fountain, according to Keystone Firework’s website, keystonefireworks.com.

Many also purchase Crowd Pleasers assortment packages that include sparklers, fountains, poppers and snakes.

As far as new products, Mccracken said one of them is a Dragon Slayer sword that shoots colorful sparks from the tip.

Over at the TNT Fireworks stand in the Walmart parking lot at 323 S. Arlington St., employee Dava Gochette said it was her first time manning the stand and it has been going “better than expected.”

She said sales have been steadily busy, with the assortment packages also popular for her. She also said she has sold a lot of Pyro Combustions, which displays different colorful effects.

Some new products include the Sparknado, which includes silver and pink rains, sparks, flowers and crackles according to the TNT Fireworks website, www.tntfireworks.com, and the Pink Cloud, a smoke bomb.

For those looking for a place to enjoy a fireworks show, here are a few places to go:

• The Faith Fourth of July celebration will have its fireworks show on July 4 at 10:30 p.m. at the Faith School ballpark.
• High Rock Lake will be hosting its fireworks show on July 3 at the High Rock boat dock marina with two hours of music beforehand from 7 to 9 p.m. The music will continue for two hours after the fireworks.
• The Kannapolis Intimidators will have its Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza after a game against the Hagerstown Suns that starts at 7:05 p.m. on July 4.

Safety should always come first when it comes to fireworks. According to a press release, Sheriff Kevin Auten suggests the following:

• Never give fireworks to small children.
• Follow instructions found on fireworks packaging.
• Keep a water supply nearby, just in case.
• The person lighting the fireworks should always wear eye protection.
• Only light one firework at a time and never try to relight “duds.”
• Keep fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
• Never throw or point fireworks towards people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.
• Stay at least 500 feet away from professional fireworks displays.
• Leave any area where untrained amateurs are using fireworks immediately.

Contact reporter Amanda Raymond at 704-797-4222.