Family Fireworks 2007 Submitted by: Jim Ford - 07/28/07 8:35 am

Family Fireworks 2007 Haley and I spent our 4th of July in Louisiana with Uncle John again this year! My big brother, a self-professed pyromaniac... cough cough, I mean fireworks enthusiast, owns a fireworks stand in Ruston. The business, aptly named "Family Fireworks", has grown tremendously over 3 years since inception. It really takes an entire family effort with Aunt Barbara, cousin Philip, Barbara's parents, John's friends, their kids, and me all pitching in. This year it rained and rained and rained! At one point the gravel parking lot was under more than an inch of gushing water... and that's after he'd already used heavy machinery to dig a massive drain/trench around the area. It's a far cry from his first season on a remote corner a half mile away from the competition. The selection has increased a bunch, parking went from maybe 4 cars to 20, lots of lights, flashing sign, swirling lights, newspaper insert advertisements... you name it! The location is now directly across from the big competition who HATES us being there. It's funny, last year I went up on the road and took my shirt off, waving people into the parking lot (okay, the topless part wasn't good, but the idea was great! Now the competition does it. John starts accepting credit and debit, the others do the same. John advertises coupons, the others accept his coupons. His name is Family Fireworks, the other people start advertising as the Local Family Fireworks (they're from 400 miles away!). This year Haley helped for a few minutes, showing some of her friends around the tent. We caught up with lots of people I hadn't seen in years and years (Ruston is my hometown). We have a lot of fun but it is tough work. Sweating like crazy, talking with people all day, smelling like gunpowder, covered in sweat and mud, our feet and backs tired from days of standing up. Getting to hang out with my big brother for a few days and sharing a beer with him? ... priceless, I wouldn't trade it for the world.

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