Fireworks Businesses Struggled To Meet Consumer Demand During Pandemic

Fireworks businesses saw a boost in sales during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, some struggled with getting enough shipments.

According to Big Blast Fireworks in Glenpool, 90 percent of fireworks come from China which means they had trouble keeping up with the high demand for Independence Day.

Big Blast Fireworks managing partner Melissa Torkleson said getting supply was difficult this year because of the pandemic.

"In 34 years, we have not seen what we have seen yesterday,” Torkleson said. "When it (COVID-19) hit in China, production stopped, so that delayed or halted some of the containers that came over to America.”

A month ago, Torkleson said they didn’t know what to expect due to the virus.

"Then we started to see an increase in numbers as soon as we started to open within a week,” Torkelson said.

Torkleson said the spike in sales shows the consumer fireworks industry is on the rise.

Jake’s Fireworks Manager Kathy Tyree in Catoosa said they have been extremely busy the last few days.

“It was like Black Friday and the Christmas Eve rush,” Tyree said. “We are getting another truck in today (Sunday) because our shelves are totally empty.”