Michigan Law Allows Labor Day Fireworks

While Labor Day may not be considered a "fireworks holiday" by everyone, it is one of 10 national holidays on which the use of these colorful explosives is permitted by Michigan law.

Under the state's controversial new fireworks law, residents can ignite, discharge and use consumer fireworks the day before, day of and day after a national holiday. 

Many of the fireworks tents that cropped up in local communities during the early part of summer disappeared after July 4. But in West Bloomfield, Phantom Fireworks and Elite Fireworks have permits for locations at 7300 Haggerty Rd. and 6287 Haggerty Rd., respectively. Dirt Cheap Tobacco in Sylvan Lake has a permit at 2322 Orchard Lake Rd. The permits are good through April of 2013. 

Although residents across Michigan have asked legislators to repeal the Fireworks Safety Act of 2011, which was designed to increase revenue to the state and encourage citizens to buy consumer fireworks in Michigan rather than in neighboring states, the law has been neither revised nor repealed to date. 

Lawmakers have, however, started to review the law that removed the state ban on bottle rockets, aerial cakes, Roman candles and firecrackers.

In West Bloomfield, a recently-passed ordinance prohibits the use of consumer fireworks on any day other than the day before, day of, and day after a national holiday.

National holidays are: New Year’s Eve, Martin Luther King Day, Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.