DECATUR - Sparklers, Roman candles and smoke balls were flying off the shelves at both locations of Independence Day Fireworks in Decatur.

People were packed inside the stores ready to light up for the Fourth of July. One store is near Oakland Avenue and Pershing Road, while the other is at Pershing and Woodford Street.

"We've been selling a lot of the sparklers, fountains, parachutes and jumping jacks," Chuck Levandoski, who works at the Oakland store, said.

Genny Knisley purchased several sparklers, spinners and morning glory fireworks at the store.

"My daughter, Mariah, likes the Roman candles," Knisley said.

For some reason the exploding Bin Laden Noggin seemed to be selling well, said Jason Largent and his partner, Mark Guidish, who own Independence Day Fireworks.

When you light up the Bin Laden firework, the top shoots out a flame and then the head explodes.

Largent said he follows both state and city rules for selling fireworks, but it doesn't stop people from asking for all kinds of other things that he can't sell. Nonetheless, he expects both stores will be very busy today as well.

"Safety is important because this has been a bad year for fireworks ¦ if people keep it smart and safe about how they shoot things then there won't be any problems," he said.

Largent partnered with Andy and Jennifer Yborra, owners of Hawaiian Shaved Ice, who set up a table and ice machine to serve people coming in and out of the fireworks store on Pershing.

But for many families and individuals, fireworks is what Independence Day is all about.

"I like something big and bright that will light up the whole block and everyone will come to my house," said Trey Robinson, 17, who was with his brother, Christion Norfolk, 8, and cousins, Kalyn Mickle, 10 and Javonte Mickle, 12.

"It just brings out your family, and this is the best time of the year to spend with your family," he added.

"It reminds me of those men and women in the Army. They have been helping us with our country and that's why we also celebrate our troops," Kalyn said.

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