ALPINE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WZZM) -- Workers at area fireworks tents say the first season when they've been able to sell powerful exploding was good, but it could have been better if not for dry conditions.
WZZM 13 News went to tents in Alpine Township, where peddlers sold fireworks for the July 4 holiday period. They did not have exact figures, but they were satisfied with business.
"For the most part -- overall -- we did very well," says Becca Cross, who manages the Phantom Fireworks tent on Alpine Ave. "I figured we would do at least what we did, and I'm happy about that."
At the nearby Big Fireworks store, operators say they also had a big Fourth.
"I'd say we probably did a little bit better than we expected," says manager Dawn Rosel. "It was busy."
But the vendors say sales of fireworks that shoot into the air -- which are now legal in the state -- were hurt some by the extreme dry conditions in West Michigan.
"Definitely," says Cross. "I had a lot of people who were very worried."
Customers were worried about lighting an explosive that might start a fire.
"I guess at least 30% of people came in and wanted to make sure they weren't taking things that were going to ignite in the air," says Cross.
"I did have quite a few customers who came in and just wanted the fountains and stuff that stayed on the ground," says Rosel.
Even though some customers were cautious, the products shoppers wanted the most were the previously illegal explosives that fly high and go boom.