A rite of passage for parenthood apparently is working in a fireworks booth for your child’s organization. I have had that opportunity and it was a “blast”!
In addition to getting to interact with the community and becoming closer with the families of the booth’s organization, I also got to learn a lot about fireworks.
The first days of the booth are slow, which gave me ample time to research the product. I watched YouTube videos, asked customers who had favorites and took recommendations from the local newspaper. From there, I’ve had the opportunity to try them out for myself and these are my suggestions.
*All Phantom Brand Fireworks
My Top Ten Favorites:
1. Fiery Frog Fountain
Cutest fountain ever and totally worth the money. There is nothing else like it!! I saw this last year in person and it does not disappoint. Unique and a crowd pleaser!! The fountain comes out the top of the frog’s head, meanwhile the eyes and mouth light up. This one sells out, so if you’re even thinking about buying it, get it when you see it.
2. Radioactive Spark
So special. It spins, has fountain showers that spark as well as sparkles around the bottom. There are different flower effects, crackles, showers, spinning and more. Unexpected features that are pretty impressive.
Rated #5 in the Sacramento Bee.
3. Coral Reef
This one is cool because it has three chambers of fountains that create a wide viewing area. It sparkles, crackles and whistles. All the while, balls of color shoot out to create a multidimensional effect. Another one of my favorites.
4. Apache Firedance Premier Fountain
A Grand Finale piece that lasts for a little more than 3 minutes. It has multiple features, which make it interesting - crackles, whistles, etc. Because it’s 500 grams, it has multiple chambers around the circumference that each have different features when it’s their turn for the show.
5. Komodo 3000 Fountain
Another Grand Finale and 500 gram Fountain. This one is about 4 minutes in length and a customer favorite. Seems somewhat typical to me, but the length is a good selling point.
6. Illuminati Triangle
Rated #3 in the Sacramento Bee for best fireworks. This fountain has crackles and lights and teases as to when it’s going to end.
7. Dragon’s Tears
Rated #9 in the Sacramento Bee. The fountains are mostly red and blue as reflected in the packaging. It’s sort of like what you’d imagine when you think of dragons. What is neat about this one is that while it is emitting the red part of the fountain, there are effects at the top of the flame and sparks flying out. Pretty cool.
8. Phantom Pixie Dust
Let me just say that this is for the sparkly, glittery, fairy in all of us. It reminds me of the big fireworks at Disneyland, the way they go up in the air and then just twinkle out and down. I love this one and think it’s quite special.
9. Brew Ha-Ha Fountain
It starts with a loud whistle and then goes into a series: fountain to crackly sparkles to explosive crackly sparkles. Each rotation in the series, the fountain color is different, from warm reds and oranges to bright blue, to green flows to finally a white. On the final fountain, there is a whistle followed by the same crackly and explosive sparkles. It lasts for almost 2.5 minutes!
10. Phantom Adventure Backpack
All the fun things for kids, snappers, snakes, poppers, some little fireworks, etc. There are even confetti poppers, which are not sold individually at the stand - they can only be purchased in this kit. I think this is another great value if you have little kids.
Runners Up:
Hasta La Vista Baby!
Bright and colorful fountain.
Luminescence
Another value because it lasts a long time and is one of the bigger fountains at a great price.
Big Assortment Packages
There are pros and cons to buying these. The biggest one sells for over $600 and the smallest for about $100.
Pros: The positive is that you don’t have to take time to think about all of the different fireworks.
The only package that has, in my opinion, good fireworks that are sold in the booth, is the most expensive one. I might be tempted to say that it is worth it, plus you usually get a super cool one, such as Coral Reef (each year it varies) free. In addition, there is a fan favorite, called the Funky Monkey that is hard to find in the booth to be purchased individually.
Cons: Being honest, I have to say that I am not a fan. I priced out each item and you do get more fireworks than you would if you bought them individually, all of the packages have “no name” fireworks that are not sold in the booth, with the exception of the Backyard Bash package.
If you wait until the last minute, these may be the only things left.
I think you get much better fireworks buying individually, taking advantage of BOGOs and using coupons.
FINALE....
O.k., so there you have it! From all of my years working in the fireworks booth, I hope my insights will help you find some fabulous fireworks to enjoy with your family, friends and neighbors as you celebrate The 4th of July!!
Comments