Illinoisians are crossing state lines to get July 4th fireworks
Illinois residents head to Indiana for fireworks this July 4th
As we gear up for the fourth of July, many are making a mad dash across state lines to prepare for the fun.
WHITING, Ind. - Illinoisians getting ready for the Fourth of July are making a mad dash across state lines to prepare for the fun — by purchasing fireworks.
What we know:
From bottle rockets to Roman candles, the fireworks frenzy is just getting started.
Krazy Kaplans Fireworks—with locations in Dyer, Hammond, and Whiting, Indiana—receives multiple truckloads a day from their warehouse to keep up with heavy holiday foot traffic. At its Whiting store, most of the demand comes from Illinois.
The week leading up to Independence Day marks the busiest time of the year for the multi-billion-dollar industry.
"Definitely getting busier as the week goes on, but the 3rd and 4th are always crazy," said Joel Brumm, with Krazy Kaplans Fireworks. "There will be a line out the door. Your line to get in is the line to go to the register."
It wouldn't be 'Krazy Kaplans' if the lines weren't long. Every year, the shelves are stocked for the holiday rush and sales are booming.
"We constantly get a couple trucks a day [from our warehouse]," said Joe Gill with Krazy Kaplans.
Gill, who has worked at Krazy Kaplans for more than a decade, says the most popular items are mortar tubes, aerial cakes, and – of course – sparklers.
"People spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on fireworks," Gill said. "They'll come through the line multiple times a day, picking stuff up, taking it to the car, dropping it off at home, coming back, loading up again."
According to Gill, the owner of Krazy Kaplans, Greg Kaplan, got a jump on purchasing for 2025. Even though most products are imported from China, Gill says the business managed to avoid price hikes to customers.
"[Greg] started placing orders in November, December to make sure they got here before tariffs hit," said Gill.
What they're saying:
Customers, like Janet Phillips, return to Krazy Kaplans each season to stock up on their favorite sparks.
"Every year on the Fourth of July, that's my time to be a big kid," Phillips said. "I just love fireworks. It brings a lot of joy."
Located less than two miles from the border, it's no surprise that the majority of buyers are coming from Illinois to stock up on their celebratory stash!
"I've been coming out here for years. I love this place, I love Indiana—we get to buy all the fireworks here," said Dre Morris, a customer.
As firework fanatics plan their backyard shows, the cash register at Krazy Kaplans won't see a break until after the holiday.
"Barbecue and celebrate our independence," said Rey Benitez, a customer.
"Good food, good music and just have fun," Morris said.
What's next:
Sales are expected to be on par with last year. In 2024, Americans spent more than $2.5 billion on fireworks.
Professional fireworks displays will also be lighting up the sky this weekend.
For a full list of fireworks shows, check out our guide here.