After experiencing a dent in revenue as a result of the state of emergency last year, the two leading operators in pyrotechnics-FireOne Fireworks and FirePower Fireworks are finally recovering, thanks to the 50th anniversary of Independence. Sales are increasing with customers and businesses rushing to buy flags and an array of fireworks. Both businesses are boasting of spectacular and breathtaking displays on August 31.
Chief executive officer of FireOne Fireworks Andre Abraham who has been in business for 17 years said orders had been ongoing. He said Trinis were always last-minute shoppers and that it was only about two weeks ago that orders began to pour in. Interviewed at his Macoya-based warehouse on Friday, Abraham said in years gone by the demand for fireworks and flags was not as high and intense as it is now.
"Usually we don't sell much fireworks or flags for Independence. It is not a big season but this year for our 50th anniversary we have seen a huge demand for flags and flagpoles and also a lot of requests for fireworks for shows." He also said business owners wanted their buildings to look patriotic. FireOne Fireworks' location in Macoya is known as the home of the national flag. Measuring 2,400 square feet, it can be seen from as far as Caroni.
"We plan to open our stores for the first time for this Independence. Last year there was the state of emergency so our entire business was crushed. For one year, we just couldn't sell fireworks," he said. In 2010, he had offered his warehouse to be used as a relief shelter to victims who were affected by the floods. He said over the last two years he had lost a considerable amount of revenue.
Customers can look forward to more than 300 new types of fireworks such as top-top, helicopter, kaleidoscope, "pretty woman" and baby boomers. Then there are the regulars like Roman candles, rockets, fountains, multi-cakes and spinners. Also, as a gift to the public, retail customers will receive a 50 per cent discount on all their purchases. "We want to take the fireworks to the people. We want everybody to be able to afford to celebrate with fireworks," he said.
A flag-raising ceremony was expected to take place at the Divali Nagar site where Abraham's company will put on a display. Also, a display was planned when the curtains came down on the Twenty20 for 50 Cricket Festival at the Queen's Park Oval in Port-of-Spain last night. On Independence night, he promised a display of fireworks that "is gonna be out of this world" at the Oval. He said his team was working on it for the last two weeks and would last for about 12 to 15 minutes, however, he said people would feel as though it's an hour.
"It will be so intense and so interesting," he said. Meanwhile, managing director of Fire Power Fireworks Khalid Ghany assured that his company was "going all out" for Independence night. In a telephone interview, Ghany said a lot of work was done to ensure that the displays at the Queen's Park Savannah, San Fernando Hill and Shaw Park in Tobago will be "the best shows ever seen in T&T." Ghany said he decided to bring in items which were appropriate for the grand celebrations.
"It will be spectacular...It will be intense," he said. He too said it was unlike people to shop for fireworks for Independence Day but was "pleasantly surprised" at the response in the last few weeks. "There is a heightened sense of patriotic awareness," he said. People had been making requests and placing orders and Ghany said he anticipated an increase in sales.
He said sports organisations and clubs in several communities were organising celebrations and were purchasing fireworks. As usual, Abraham and Ghany have asked the public to be responsible and have respect for the elderly and for pets when using fireworks.