Popping our cherry bomb
growing up in NYC our fireworks experience went like this... sparklers bought at convenience store at the jersey shore, small fireworks scored at local Italian sandwich shop, start to get fireworks regularly in Chinatown, find bigger stuff over in Little Italy, stops at South of the Boarder and other roadside stands on trips down south.

last week we discovered fireworks nirvana - a back woods hidden warehouse! (2 hours from NYC) Fireworks Express right over the NJ boarder in Maryland. lots of BIG aerial items, like we've never had access to. and cheap prices. JACKPOT BABY! for $230 bucks ($190 online + $40 there) we got TONS of stuff. 3-4 big shows, and lots of smaller novelty stuff for the nephews. the packaging is so fantastic and fabulous. it was like Christmas...

18 inch mortars with 6 inch shells that explode into 4 bursts/breaks like - "gold bees, blue/red star, silver dragon, crackle shower". 3 different boxes for $65. all kinds of roman candles $5 a pack, many different 100+ shot aerial shows - all around $3 each.

cute mini fountains .25 cents for a box of 5 (novelty ground items, tanks, cars and stuff - were between .25 cents and $2 and were buy 1 get 1 free!)

orders can be placed online (lots of freebies and discounts online) -or buy there. $200 minimum and you have to have an out of state drivers license (they can't sell to MD residents.) directions are: 123 Peninsula Drive - From : I-95 Take Exit #100A(Go 1 mile South on Route 272 to Peninsula Dr, turn West at Holiday Inn Express

direction lead to a run down industrial park in MD. go down a dirt road (barbwire on all around) and see a run down warehouse with lots of abandoned trucks that say "explosives". it's a bit weird, but inside the warehouse is PACKED with all kinds of amazing fireworks. they're open year-round, everyday until July 4th with extended hours - phone number 918-491-6262.