On New Year's Eve, many flock to Houston to buy fireworks

When Alaskans plan their New Year's Eve celebrations, often times, a trip to Houston is part of the planning -- to get fireworks from one of the many stands along the Parks Highway.

You'll find red, white and blue streamers flying wildly, gorillas waving to motorists and even the Batmobile parked right out front and center, beckoning motorists to stop for a sparkler or two. And you'll likely find a lot of people, as lines form during the end of December unlike any other time.

"Since it is light all night in July, we don't really do any fireworks for the Fourth of July," said Brigette Norman, who made the trip from Anchorage to Houston to get fireworks.

"We go all-out on New Year's Eve instead, because you can see them," she added.

Norman's bill at Jerry's Fireworks hovered just below the $400 mark. She took out four crisp $100 bills and gave them to the clerk, saying it's an expense her family willingly pays at the end of each year.

"We have a cabin up the Parks Highway and we spend New Year's Eve there with our kids every year," she said. "We try to get some cool fireworks for the kids -- it's their big treat every year, and they look forward to it. We snowmachine and watch movies and shoot off fireworks."

Frank Ryan, another customer at Jerry's Fireworks, said the $100 he spent will be part of a larger display at a friend's New Year's Eve party.

"Everyone usually spends about a hundred bucks, and we put them together and have a pretty good time," Ryan said.

"They are so expensive for what you get though," he said as he held up a 'cake' of 24 shots that he said cost him $15. "This thing will be done in about 10 seconds."

Gregg Turle made the drive to Houston from Eagle River just to purchase fireworks. He said his kids are the biggest reason he put 100 miles, roundtrip, into New Year's Eve.

"My daughter is seven and my son is nine, and they love fireworks," Turle said. "They each get to pick out $25 worth of fireworks."

Turle's bill was around $100 -- slightly higher than he first expected.

"They each got $25, and Dad got $50," he said with a chuckle. "Dad worked harder for his money, and he wanted big fireworks."

Making your money stretch at the fireworks stands is a challenge. While the high-priced items may make for more spectacular aerial displays, the price tag may mean a one-shot show for the budget conscious.

Smaller "cakes" may be the answer -- you can make your money last longer, and many of the "cakes" offer aerial shows that are colorful, loud and fun.

There are always the usual fireworks as well -- firecrackers, sparklers and similar items.

"I like the sparklers that are all different colors," said Britteny Turle, 7, who spent $5 of her $25 allowance on sparklers.

Her brother, Lars, 9, spent most of his money on simple firecrackers.

"I like the bang they make," Lars Turle said. "You can get a lot more of them with your money, too," he said, pointing into the bag that contained thousands of firecrackers it seemed.

Fireworks, it should be pointed out, are illegal in most parts of the Mat-Su Borough, including the core area, as well as in Anchorage.

Despite that illegality, that doesn't stop many from buying them up and lighting the fuses come New Year's Eve.

"It's just about having a little fun and bringing in the New Year," Ryan said. "It's not like we're burning down the neighborhood."