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There’s definitely a difference but it’s more about which factory and what quality tier you pick than US vs China as a blanket thing. The stuff that makes it over here has to pass a bunch of extra testing and the labeling rules, so it ends up a little pricier, but the quality bar is higher cause it has to be.
Most US-bought consumer cakes are still made in China anyway, just spec’d for the US market. It’s not like it’s two totally different industries.
I’m team ‘keep it chill’ for Labor Day too lol. After the America 250 rush I think we all need a break. I’m planning a small cookout show with maybe 15-20 cakes, mostly 200g stuff I have left over. Gonna grab a few new ones from the clearance sales if any are still running.
Also re: TNT sales – their post-4th clearance was decent this year but I noticed they pulled a lot of the good stuff off the floor early and just sold online. Worth checking their website even if the local tent looks empty.
I’m with ya on keeping it chill for Labor Day. After the America 250 madness I’m kinda burned out lol. Gonna do a small cookout with like maybe $150 worth of stuff — some fountains, a couple cakes, sparklers for the kids. Honestly the 4th was so intense this year that I don’t think I can top it anyway. Might just save the leftover cakes and do a proper New Year’s show instead.
I know I’m late to this thread but I just gotta say – I was working at a seasonal tent in Texas over the 4th and holy cow. We were restocking shelves twice a day and still running out. The America 250 hype was real.
What I noticed was a LOT of first-time buyers. People coming in asking basic stuff like ‘what’s the difference between a fountain and a cake’ – which is fine, we all start somewhere. But it was insane how many people were just grabbing armfuls of whatever was on the shelf without even looking at prices.
The price gouging was real though. Our prices didn’t change much cuz the owner is pretty fair but I heard other tents near us were marking stuff up 40-50%. Gross honestly. Felt like everyone was trying to cash in.
I’m curious if the same crowd shows up for New Years. My guess is no – NYE fireworks are more of a ‘serious’ pyro thing around here. But we’ll see!
Late to this thread but yeah the prices were nuts here in CA too. My usual guy was charging $90 for cakes I paid $60 for last year. I get that shipping costs went up but damn. Ended up just going with the TNT stand this year tbh, their pricing was actually more reasonable than the indie dealers for once.
Ugh yes Danny I feel this so hard lol. July 4th is like the Super Bowl of fireworks and then suddenly it’s mid-July and there’s nothing. I’ve been out scoping the clearance racks at the local TNT tent. Got a few cakes at half off which helps with the withdrawal haha. I’m already planning my Labor Day menu/show combo. Gonna do a BBQ during the day and light the rest at dusk. At least gives me something to look forward to.
Totally agree about winter shows being better. The cold air does something to the sound that just hits different. Plus you don’t have to worry about the sun not being down all the way at 9pm like in summer.
I’m planning a small NYE thing too. Gonna keep it to mostly fountains and some 500g cakes since my backyard’s not huge. Anyone got recommendations for good cakes that work well in tighter spaces? Don’t wanna be launching stuff into the neighbor’s yard lol.
Dude nice haul on the clearance stuff! I did the same thing ? hit up a TNT stand near me and got like 60% off on some cakes that were just sitting there. They said they’d rather sell em cheap than ship em back to the warehouse.
I’m definitely saving for Labor Day too. Got a cabin rented with a few families so planning a mid-size show. Nothing like the 4th scale but enough to keep it interesting. I usually do a mix of cakes and some shells, maybe a handful of rockets for the kids to ooh and ahh over lol.
Storage question tho ? how are you keeping yours? I’ve got a cool corner in the basement but I’m paranoid about humidity. Friend told me to throw some silica packs in the box.
I’m already scouting deals too. My strategy is to grab whatever clearance I can find in July and save it for Labor Day.
Last year I managed to put together a solid 20-min show for like because I bought smart.One thing nobody talks about ??the 4th is the “big show” but Labor Day is way more chill and the neighbors actually appreciate it more since everyone’s not burnt out from fireworks fatigue lol
Gonna second what Ron said about checking each state. I made that mistake once – bought a bunch of stuff in PA, drove through NJ to get to a beach house. NJ state troopers are NO JOKE about fireworks. Didn’t get pulled over myself but had a friend who did and it was a whole mess.
If you can avoid driving through the strict states, route around them. Even if it adds an hour or two to the drive, its worth it for peace of mind.
And for sure keep it in the trunk. Out of sight is the #1 rule.
Going to a pro show downtown but bringing a few fountain packs for the driveway pre-show with the neighbors. Anyone else do the tailgating thing before the main event?
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