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The 4th of July is just a few days away, and people are stocking up on fireworks, 1200 WOAI reports
"People are allowed to gather and be with friends and family. People are just really ready to celebrate," Chelsea Bode with Alamo Fireworks says.
She tells 1200 WOAI's Michael Board that sales have already been brisk, and they expect that through the weekend.
But those looking to light up their neighborhood had better stock up now. There is a nationwide shortage, due to COVID, which disrupted supply chains. The American Pyrotechnics Association says that's especially true for goods that comes from China.
"Approximately 30% of the consumer fireworks needed for this Independence Day either didn't make it out of China, are sitting on ocean vessels in the Pacific Ocean waiting to berth at the ports, or they've been sitting at the West Coast ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach for 9-12 weeks waiting to be put on the rail," Executive Director Julie Heckman says.
As a result of the consumer fireworks shortage and the substantial increase in transportation-related costs, consumers can expect to pay more when they stock up for their backyard celebrations this Fourth of July.