Fireworks
We did fireworks last night. We had a few people over, grilled some stuff, and set off over $80 worth of fireworks. I can definitely recommend the "King of Bling" fountain from Phantom Fireworks for $10. The Sacramento Bee gave it a top rating, beating out other fountains costing as much as $35. Phantom seems to turn out better fireworks at lower prices than TNT (which includes Red Devil and Freedom).
One neat trick we learned from a fireworks vendor last year is to put the fireworks on the top of a fireproof ladder before lighting them. We happen to have a ten-foot aluminum ladder. It really makes the fountains more impressive as the sparks get much more fall time before knocking themselves out on the pavement. A 14-foot shower of sparks is much more fun than a 4-foot one. Just make sure the ladder is steady.
One neat trick we learned from a fireworks vendor last year is to put the fireworks on the top of a fireproof ladder before lighting them. We happen to have a ten-foot aluminum ladder. It really makes the fountains more impressive as the sparks get much more fall time before knocking themselves out on the pavement. A 14-foot shower of sparks is much more fun than a 4-foot one. Just make sure the ladder is steady.