Hundreds of Trinidadians flocked to the FireOne Fireworks warehouse in Macoya on December 26, creating lengthy queues that wrapped around the facility during the annual Boxing Day two-for-one sale. The event attracted a diverse cross-section of society, from elderly patrons to young children and infants, with families, friend groups, and individual shoppers all seeking to stock up for New Year’s celebrations.
The tradition, now in its 15th year, has become an institutionalized part of the holiday season according to FireOne Fireworks co-founder Andre Abraham. He emphasized that the sale serves a dual purpose: providing genuine value to customers while promoting safer alternatives to informal explosive practices like bamboo bursting or carbide explosions.
Despite the festive atmosphere, conversations with shoppers revealed complex perspectives on newly implemented fireworks regulations. Many customers expressed understanding of the need for restrictions while simultaneously voicing concerns about limitations on their celebrations. Mark Williams of Wallerfield, who spends approximately $5,000-$6,000 annually for his village’s display, suggested creating safe spaces for animals rather than solely restricting usage times.
The regulatory debate took practical dimensions as one La Horquetta woman revealed she had spent $12,000 on fireworks for resale despite years of unsuccessful attempts to obtain a formal license. Her experience highlighted administrative challenges within the new regulatory framework.
Consumer spending patterns varied significantly, with reported expenditures ranging from $200-$300 for individual users to thousands of dollars for community organizers. Multiple pet owners described implementing mitigation strategies such as soundproof rooms or secure spaces for animals during fireworks displays.
Abraham endorsed the new legislation, noting it aligns with FireOne’s three-decade advocacy for responsible, time-limited usage. He specifically recommended limiting fireworks displays to 30 minutes at midnight on New Year’s Eve, framing this as an exercise in community respect and kindness.