SeeCalifornia.com

With the 4th of July a week away, it’s time to get up to speed on fireworks displays.

Interesting

• The average public display costs about $1000/minute
• The average display lasts 20 minutes
• Fireworks mostly come from China and Mexico
• In 2017 it’s estimated California’s 4th of July display fireworks cost over $35 million with more than 2.5 million pounds discharged
• Laguna Beach tested ocean water samples and found no significant impact from the city’s fireworks display
• California consumers spent over $88 million and discharged over 20 million pounds of low level fireworks in 2017 (based on American Pyrotechnics Association data)

Terminology

• Aerial Shell
• Barrage – rapidly fired sequence of aerial fireworks
• Bouquet – fountains fired in groups
• Break – burst from an aerial shell
• Cake – chain-fused fireworks
• Comet
• Dud
• Finale – rapidly fired barrage of aerial fireworks

Fireworks Displays in California

• California is the land of eternal fireworks — Disneyland hosts fireworks show all year long.
• Over water 4th of July displays include San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles (Marina del Rey, Redondo Beach, San Pedro, Long Beach, etc.), Orange County beach cities, and lakes (Tahoe, Mammoth, Big Bear and many more!)
• Most municipal displays are high level (aerial shells) fireworks
• The majority of California’s public displays are free to see
• Funding for public displays comes from city coffers, sponsors, individual donations or gate fees
• Concert entertainment is provided with the majority of California’s public fireworks shows
• Over 90% of display fireworks take place on July 4
• Several cities host July 3 fireworks displays annually
• A few cities host annual fireworks shows on the Saturday before or after the 4th of July when the holiday falls on a week day