Fireworks Shortage Causes Prices To Rise Ahead Of July 4 Celebrations

Wednesday is the first day shops across the state will be open for you to get fireworks, but you could possibly see a difference in prices this year.

“We pretty much sold out by 7 o’clock on the 4th of July. In anticipation of that, we doubled our inventory,” Duck and Cover Fireworks owner Alan Rolofson said.  

Duck and Cover is a firework business in Norman that is preparing for the shortage of fireworks this July.

In anticipation, they bought double the inventory -- thousands of dollars -- of fireworks to stock up supply, but the fireworks they did buy far more expensive.

Other small firework businesses said they are having the same issue. Distributors are feeling the pinch, as well.

“Our main distributor from where we get fireworks from for the first time in 20 years he is sold out,” Rolofson said.  

Firework shows will be back in action this summer such as Liberty Fest in Edmond. The festival canceled last year due to the pandemic. Festival officials said they are anticipating higher prices this year.

Midwest City’s firework contractor said that, come 2022, the prices will skyrocket for them, as well.

Rolofson suggests if you are looking for specific fireworks, like large canisters or small black cats, those will be much harder to find.