Jaunted

Tags: Fourth of July / Fireworks / → All Tags

D-I-Y Independence Day: Scoring Barely Legal Fireworks

Friday, we told you that certain places in the Northeast, like New York, Massachusetts, and Washington, D.C., ban the purchase of consumer fireworks. While lawmakers relax their restrictions for sparklers in Massachusetts and D.C., New York laws seem to be the strictest, forbidding almost every form of explosive patriotism.

Being the rebels we are, we looked into how New Yorkers can subvert the system so little cousin Timmy can spell his name in the sky with sparklers at the family BBQ on the Fourth of July this year.

The easiest way to score the goods is to cross the border into Pennsylvania (don't bother with Jersey, despite its sinful reputation, it's uptight about selling miniature bombs too). Both Phantom Fireworks and Spectacular Fireworks are about three hours from NYC. Phantom is just off Route 81 North near Scranton, while Spectacular is located on I-78 near Pa.'s border with New Jersey.

Upstate New Yorkers also have to option to drive to Ohio or buy those sparklers at any of the state's seven Indian reservations. While you're there, might as well stock up on M-80s, a few cartons of Marlboros, and some cheap gas.

Don't bother with trying your luck in Canada, those customs officials can be real killjoys.

Related Stories:
· Cherry Bombs and Sparklers [Jaunted]