The explosive fun of fireworks is a great way to relieve tension, and needn’t be confined only to Fourth of July celebrations. Local pyrotechnic Bob Gerau, owner of Bob’s Fireworks store on East Mexico Gravel Road, lists five of his most popular products. Although the sale and use of fireworks are illegal within city limits, only two of the following items must be ignited outside Columbia’s boundaries.
**Snappers**
Also known as poppers or bang snaps, these impact-ignited novelties are simply sand or gravel mixed with a small amount of silver fulminate explosive and twisted in cigarette paper until they resemble a Hershey’s Kiss. Usually smaller than
a penny, they explode with a loud crack when thrown on the ground or stepped on. Snappers contain only a minute quantity of explosive powder, so they pose no threat of physical damage and are allowed within city boundaries.
Cost: Six boxes for $1
**Snakes**
A type of non-explosive outdoor firework, snakes resemble black aspirin tablets until they ignite. Once lit, a chemical reaction produces black ash that rises and coils up from the ground like a snake, an effect that can reach over a foot in length depending on the initial size of the tablet. Snakes do not spark or burn, and so are another type of firework allowed within city limits. Like snappers, they’re a great bargain for the typical impoverished college student.
Cost: Pack of six tablets for 50 cents – $1
**Chinese Lanterns**
Though not technically fireworks, Chinese lanterns are usually sold alongside pyrotechnics in stores, and are definitely one of the prettiest products available. Traditionally made with rice paper and bamboo, the lanterns hold a small candle or wax-dipped piece of cardboard in their centers that, when lit, causes them to float into the sky. They will then remain airborne as long as the fire continues. Great for celebrating special events or ending a romantic evening, the lanterns can be released anywhere, but work best when used under normal weather conditions.
Cost: $4 to $5
**Artillery Shells**
One of Bob Gerau’s more popular items, artillery shells are pyrotechnic pellets launched from tubes that can shoot up to 150 feet in the air. Their considerable explosive power, however, prevents them from being used within Columbia boundaries.
“Artillery shells are still a pretty big thing on the market,” Gerau says, “because they can shoot up high and make a pretty bang-up show.”
Once ignited, the shells produce the type of colorful display commonly associated with Fourth of July fireworks. To enjoy their more dramatic effects, find a safe place outside the city to light them. A box of shells runs $6-30, depending on the type of display and the vendor.
Cost: One box for $6 to $30
**500-gram Shells**
One of the newest classes of consumer fireworks, 500-gram shells typically come in two categories: cakes or fountains. Cakes are launched into the sky and burst into display, while fountains remain on the ground and shoot colored sparkles upwards. Both are designed to be multi-shot displays, and are some of the most impressive nonprofessional fireworks offered. Because of their explosive power, however, 500 gram shells deserve extra caution and attention while being ignited. Needless to say, they are not allowed within city limits.
Cost: $15 to more than $100