W W W.O U DA I LY.C O M
The University of Oklahomaâs independent student voice since 1916
2 012 S I LV E R C R O W N W I N N E R
J U L Y 2 ďş J U L Y 8 , 2 0 14
Spark your pyro Fireworks store offers cornucopia of Fourth of July firecrackers JORDAN RIPPETOE
Life and Arts and Sports editor
For southerners, thereâs nothing more patriotic than setting stuff on fire. Because of this, the Fourth of July is a major holiday for one reason: fireworks. In Norman, one fireworks stand towers above the rest: Jakeâs Fireworks. Located at 17824 S Sooner Rd. This fireworks stand is a large warehouse with plenty of fireworks to choose from. There are greeters waiting for people to walk in the door to welcome customers with smiles and shopping carts. With the storeâs low prices, people would need shopping carts to haul all the fireworks theyâd want to buy. âWeâre the cheapest,â Wanda Moses, the manager of Jakeâs, said. TONY RAGLE/THE DAILY
The Vasquez family purchases fireworks at Jakeâs Fireworks on Sooner Rd for their personal Fourth of July celebration.
There are a wide variety of fireworks inside the large warehouse building. The walls are lined with Black Cat fireworks, family packs and the companyâs bestseller, Excalibur. Excalibur launches 24 different mortar shells, displaying brilliant colors upon explosion. Excalibur might be Jakeâs best selling product, but it is far from their only firecracker. It sells everything other places do, just a whole lot more of it. Because itâs difficult to be original in the fireworks business, their large stock is what makes it stand out. âEverybody copies everyone,â Moses said. Jakeâs comes up with itâs own fireworks, but other fireworks places have not been so original. âJakeâs has originals, but others copied us,â Moses said. VOL. 99, NO. 157 Š 2014 OU Publications Board FREE â Additional copies 25¢
L&A: Lower 40 to explode on charts
Pg 7
Cover: Ins and outs of Fourth of July in Norman
Fireworks stock tends to remain the same from fireworks stand to fireworks stand. However, no place offers the same selection that Jakeâs offers. Many people buy fireworks in bulk. So, with Jakeâs prices and itâs large selection of fireworks, it is truly the one stop shop for a great Fourth of July fireworks show. For those do not wish to set off fireworks at home, Norman will have a fireworks show in Reaves Park on the Fourth of July starting at 9:45 p.m.
Pg 2&3
@OUDaily
theoklahomadaily
OUDaily