Indiana Fireworks: Where To Get The Biggest Bang For Your Buck

ILLINOIS — The Fourth of July is just around the corner, and Indiana fireworks stores are beckoning Illinois consumers to cross the border with gaudy billboards promising the biggest bang for their buck.

Last year, during the depths of the pandemic, Americans blew off 385.8 million pounds of consumer grade fireworks, more than any other year since the American Pyrotechnics Association began compiling data 20 years ago.

While some view blowing off a couple of firecrackers and bottle rockets, and maybe even a finger, to be a Fourth of July tradition, the Illinois' Pyrotechnic Use Act prohibits the sale, possession and use of almost all consumer fireworks, prompting Illinois residents to flock to border states including Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa, which have some of the most lax fireworks laws in the country.

Fireworks shopping may look a little different in 2021. Shortages have been reported around the United States, so you may find a limited selection and higher prices — or empty shelves. Given how busy these stores were when we called, it seems as if all the pyrotechnics are being hoarded in Northwest Indiana, the unofficial fireworks capital of America.

In addition to July 4th, many of the fireworks retailers are open year round for other holidays, such as Diwali and gender-reveal parties. Store personnel are also happy to help customers find or build a backyard show, and educate them on the products’ safe use (don’t forget to watch the safety videos).

Fireworks have changed over the decades from such old-time favorites as bottle rockets,cherry bombs and Roman candles to new products that are higher, bigger and louder, with colorful names like Jailbait, Steel Venom, Devil's Delight, Big Bertha, Disturbing the Peace and Bad Ass Double Break Shells, a product that shoots flaming balls.

“My favorite product is called ‘Let’s Get Lit,’” said Peter Panos, of Dynamite Fireworks in Hammond. “It’s the best finale we have in the store. Forty-nine tubes, each loaded with a shot that's been known to set off car alarms.”

If you’re heading out this weekend (or want to call in sick at work on a weekday), here are 10 fireworks stores (some listings are combined) worth checking out in Northwest Indiana. Don’t forget to bring a face mask, even if you’re already vaccinated.

Good Times Fireworks, 626 177th St, Hammond — Located mere blocks across the state line and the first exit in Indiana (Calumet South (off of I-80-94). Good Times has been in business for over 25 years and boasts five showrooms, each with its specialty, There is even a kiddie showroom with everything from sparkler and snapping pops to monkey-driven cars propelled by shooting sparks. Good Times also carries the big stuff. Everything is buy-one-get-one free. Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, with extended hours leading up to July 4. Phone: 219-853-0518

Dynamite Fireworks, 4218 Calumet Ave. Hammond — Located literally at the bottom of the exit ramp off the Chicago Skyway, Dynamite Fireworks has been helping consumers — a good many of them from Illinois -- express their patriotic joy by staging their own backyard fireworks shows. Dynamite and sister store Uncle Sam's Fireworks, 14 Gostlin St., Hammond, carry more than 1,000 items from the 14 major fireworks brands. Dynamite is a "niche store" that carries hard-to-find pyrotechnics. The store doesn't offer buy one-get one free, but claims to offer products that are half-off or less than many other Northwest Indiana fireworks retailers. The family-owned shop also carries its own unique brand, Double Dynamite. You can also follow Dynamite Fireworks happenings on Facebook. Hours: 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. in the week leading up to July 4. Phone: 219-937-4090 (Dynamite) and 219-931-4600 (Uncle Sam).

Shelton Fireworks Warehouse, 1601 US-20, Porter — Imagine a Walmart or Target store stocked from floor to ceiling with firework products. With six locations in Indiana to serve the most avid pyrotechnics, Shelton's Porter location claims to be the largest store in Indiana, offering 54,000 square feet of firepower. According to Shelton's website, the Porter, IN warehouse stocks many kinds of bottle rockets, missiles, aerial rockets, firecrackers, multi-firers, sparklers, roman candles, aerial displays and the entire 1.4 gram fireworks classification. Shelton carries 200 kinds of multi-firers that shoot up 50 to 70 feet that are certain to amaze your neighbors, as well as plenty of ground spinners and fountains available to entertain you. The store also sells more than 70 of the 500-gram grand finales in its inventories, included on Shelton's special recommendations pages. Hours: 7 a.m. to midnight through July 3; 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 4. Phone: 219-929-1045.

Krazy Kaplan Fireworks — Believe it or not, there is a Mr. Kaplan. His R. Crumb-inspired cartoon logo of a hobo gripping a giant firecracker looms over the interstate highways on billboards guiding Illinois pyros to Indiana. Krazy Kaplan offers five convenient “superstores” along the state line in Northwest Indiana so Chicago and Illinois shoppers don’t have to drive too far. His showrooms in Whiting, Dyer and Hammond, average 20,000 square feet, with many in-store deals during the July 4th shopping season. Mr. Kaplan, who got his start selling fireworks out of his basement in 1985, carries a HUGE variety of quality brand fireworks including both ground and aerial displays – rockets, missiles, aerial repeaters, fountains, reloadable shells and many, many more items. He’s “krazy” but in a good way. Hours: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Phone: 2190-989-0984 (Hammond), 219-933-1047 (Hammond), 219-033-7993 (Hammond); 219-865-3380 (Dyer); and 219-473-0511 (Whiting).

Big Daddy K’s Fireworks Outlet, 8337 Indianapolis Blvd., Highland — If you want to know who's your daddy, Big Daddy K stocks the high quality brands, including Pyro Demon, Brothers, ShoGun, Winda and more. He doesn’t offer “buy one, get one,” which he claims is more expensive when you break down price per item. “An Excalibur Shell Kit at Big Daddy K’s is only $99.99 Where others feature “Buy One Get One for $250,” according to Big Daddy K. Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and until 7:30 p.m Saturday and Sunday. Phone: 219-923-8370.

Boom Town Fireworks, 720 Joliet St. (US 30), Dyer — If you want to out shoot your neighbor, Boom Town covers all categories of fireworks, including 500g cakes, finale racks, artillery, roman candles, assortments, fountains, skyrockets, helicopters, sparklers, missiles, smoke items, snaps, wheels, confetti, birthday candles, and other novelty items, made fresh in China every year. One of the hottest items in 2021 is Big Bong Theory, which retails for $69.99. Each Comiskey Park-in-a-box backyard packages also have videos on the store’s website and tips for building a show, so you know what stuff is going to look like. Boom Town also stocks professional-grade fireworks for the community pyro shows. “All our products are guaranteed to have the highest quality performance, including the richest colors, extra long duration stars, and custom selected (first run or top grade) cutting edge quality throughout our 1.4g product lines,” proclaims the Boom Town website. Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through June 30; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 1 through July 4. Phone: 219-864-3800.

Direct From China, 5190 W. 25th Ave., Gary — There’s nothing you can’t dream up that Direct from China doesn’t carry, proprietor Mark Prusinski claims. This fun storefront has a giant King Kong where kids can crawl into his mouth for photo ops. Direct from China carries unique items, like 8-by-8-foot lanterns that float into the sky, as well as packages with names like Naughty Girl, Son of A Beast, and Honey Pot. Aerials, missiles, artillery shells, Roman candles, firecrackers, aerials more. This fun storefront has a giant King Kong where kids can crawl into his mouth for photo ops. Hours: Direct From China is open 24/7 leading up to July 4th. Phone: 219-299-5345.

Phantom of Highland, 8843 Indianapolis Blvd, and Phantom of Merrillville, 3101 E. Lincoln Hwy, (US 30) — This national fireworks chain has nine stores scattered across Indiana, with locations in Highland and Merrillville the closest to Chicago. Phantom has been in the pyro biz since the 1970s, when founder Bruce J. Zoldan, a non-food rack merchandise salesman, started selling sparklers to customers. Today, Phantom showrooms can be found in 15 states. Phantom’s Indiana showrooms stock 500g aerial repeaters, mortar kits, finales, fountains, rockets and sparklers, as well as a wide variety of fireworks, novelties and celebration items. Phantom also has an extensive line of private label products sold under the trade name “Phantom,” such as Wolf Pack, Silver Salute and the Gucci Collection from Bellport, NY, according to the company website.