Forney fireworks stand makes most of America’s 250th on hot Fourth of July

FORNEY — Flags promoting the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence flew under a clear sky at a fireworks stand in Forney on the morning of the Fourth of July. Food trucks lined the perimeter of the truck park as vendors prepared for a busy day ahead. 

Texans celebrating the Fourth of July can’t set off or buy fireworks inside the Dallas city limits. That pushes people to look for fun outside the city at stands like The Junction Fireworks & Food Truck Park. There they can buy anything from tiny poppers to a $999 package called “The Godfather,” which contains 500-gram aerials, artillery shells and more.

“This year, because it’s the 250 celebration, we’re allowed to sell on the fifth, so we will stay open as long as people are coming,” The Junction employee Victoria Risner said. “We’ll be open at least till midnight.”

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Chip Nelson, The Junction’s owner, said that sales leading up to the holiday have been average, but he expected to see droves come out closer to evening. Because Texas extended the legal window for selling fireworks in honor of “America 250,” fireworks sellers get more opportunity for business.

“America’s special, and I’m glad to be here,” Nelson said. “I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.”

The U.S. is celebrating its 250th anniversary of independence as festivities and high temperatures sweep the country. A heat wave resulted in canceled or altered plans on the East Coast, and politicians highlighted America’s political polarization in their Fourth of July speeches. Still, the Fourth of July staples — parades, fireworks and Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest — carried on where they could.

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While people can’t set off fireworks themselves within city limits, several official celebrations were expected to take place around the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Fort Worth, Plano and Frisco had kid-friendly activities planned for Saturday, and adult-only EDM and house music was expected on the rooftop of The Statler in downtown Dallas.

America’s anniversary had added meaning for fireworks shopper Matt Sniadecki’s family. They buy fireworks every year. On Saturday, they’re celebrating more than one birthday.

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“250 is a big one,” Sniadecki, who traveled from Austin, said. “My dad’s birthday is Monday, and he turns 80, so we’re kind of doing a joint celebration for both.”

Consumer confidence in the economy remains low despite a slight uptick in June, but that hasn’t stopped people from spending. Buying fireworks is an annual tradition for Kodi Smith’s family. Each kid and parent picks out their own, he said.

“It’s more about the experience, so that’s money well spent,” Smith said, hoisting a plastic bag full of fireworks, including a “snow cone” and a firework shaped like a koi fish.

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The scorching high 90s temperatures didn’t deter customers, but rain could. Rainy weather impacts sales more than the economy does, Nelson said. Even during COVID, The Junction saw plenty of sales.

“COVID was a big year,” Nelson said. “I think everybody was ready to blow something up.”

The Junction has weathered many storms. Nelson has been running the stand since 2010 along with his wife and daughter, Hannah Nelson, and people from their church. A lot has stayed the same over the years, Hannah Nelson said.

“I like seeing the customers that we’ve had for years come in,” Hannah Nelson said. “I have some of the same ones that I’ve been selling to since I was young, and the kids have grown up, and we’ve both grown up, and we see them every year.”

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The only change  has been the addition of the food trucks to the park. Chip Nelson said the trucks hide the fireworks stand from the road but thinks that they’re nice to have. Risner said the food trucks made the park more of a community spot.

People dipped in and out of the park throughout the afternoon. Some came, bought their fireworks and left to set them off elsewhere later in the day. Others lingered, taking advantage of the food trucks and shade. Above it all, a flag flapped in the wind with the words “Celebrate America” emblazoned on it in all caps.