Iowa Holiday Fireworks Sales Window Opens, But…

If you want to celebrate Christmas with fireworks, you may have to settle for the ones at the dinner table.

The second holiday fireworks sales window of the year opens today in Iowa. From June 1 to July 8 and December 10 through January 3, it is legal to sell and purchase fireworks in Iowa. Whether it's legal to set them off is up to the various city ordinances.

Here is a list of places in Iowa where you can purchase your fireworks, as long as you are at least 18. Cedar Rapids has a handful of them. If you purchase them in Eastern Iowa, though, you might be wasting your money, because their use is reportedly prohibitied in Cedar Rapids and other areas, while being allowed only on a limited basis in some towns, including Marion where they're only allowed on New Year's Eve from  6 p.m.-12:30 a.m. . Check out the Cedar Rapids city ordinance here, and more about what your area's rules are.

It seems weird to want to set off fireworks for private use this time of year. Frankly, the rules state there's such a limited scope, and it's so confusing, we suggest saving your money for more useful and safer Christmas presents for your loved ones.

[Via KCRG, City of Marion, City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa Department of Publc Safety, KDAT]