Fireworks supply limited

Shipping priorities for medical equipment have limited the availability of fireworks for Independence Day in America, according to the man who oversees two fireworks tents in Lewis County.

"Medical equipment coming across [the ocean from China] has a higher priority," said Jonathan Sparks. He manages fireworks stands that raise money for his church and the Food Bank. "They reduced the number of shipping containers that hold fireworks.

"So, the tables may look full when you go in," Sparks continued, "but the back stock will be much lower than last year."

Shipping cost quadrupled, he said. So, the retail price for fireworks increased this year. It's not supply being low versus an expected demand, as an economist might figure.

"We're not marking them up anymore than we would," Sparks said. The cost of "freight from China to America has gone up. When you have container ships waiting in the bay to get unloaded, it just adds to your overall cost."

Sparks has heard more than a few puns on his name and the fact that he's selling sparklers and other fireworks. He takes that with a smile and has a friendly suggestion arising from this year's shortage of fireworks.

"If four to five families get together," he said, "they could have a pretty good show" by pooling their money to buy maybe $400-500 worth of fireworks.

"Supplies are limited," he said. "Get them when you can."

The Rev. Dwayne Sparks is the pastor of the Hohenwald Pentecostal Church. It's 652 Swan Avenue property which is also accessed from East Main Street where one of two tents are pitched for fireworks sales. The church's second tent is at 828 Buffalo Road. Rev. Sparks' son, Jonathan, started managing the program in 2007, to help his father. Jonathan's wife, Melissa, helps him, as do 15-20 volunteers from the church.

"Last year was our 20th year, so this is our 21st year," Jonathan Sparks said. "It's grown quite a bit."

As for how the church became a sales outlet for fireworks, he said, "We had a youth pastor at the time who wanted to take the youth on a conference, so they bought some fireworks and set up, and sold.

"It's grown from there," Sparks said, noting the first year's sales totaled a couple hundred dollars.

"It's grown to about $15,000," he said. "Last year, we were able to pay half of the monthly mortgage ... and the rest was donated to the Food Bank" on Hankins Lane off Buffalo Road.

Some of the proceeds from the fireworks sales started going to the Food Bank in 2010, Sparks said. It was the year sales were moved into the city.

"One of the things that helped [increase sales] was that when we started you weren't allowed to sell in the city, so everybody set up in the county," he said.

Hohenwald inspects and licenses fireworks sales.

"The first year we set up in the city, sales jumped quite a bit," Sparks said.