VIDALIA — ’Tis the season for gunpowder and phosphorus-fueled fun, and while much of the economy is not doing as robustly as it once was, fireworks stand operators say the business is on steady feet.

“I haven’t seen much of a difference in this year from last year,” said Vidalian Gary Gilbert, who works at a stand on U.S. 84 West of Vidalia.

At Murray’s Fireworks stand south of Natchez, Nathan Gauthier said it’s a no-brainer why people aren’t cutting back on explosive seasonal joy.

“They are going to buy fireworks no matter what,” he said. “That chance only comes around twice a year.”

But no matter how many fireworks someone buys, they need to be aware of when and where they can set them off.

In Natchez, that means not at all in the city limits.

“We don’t have one specific code that says ‘no fireworks,’” Lt. Tom McGehee said. “It is attached to the city fire code.”

That is because in the past fireworks have actually ignited fires in houses, he said.

“If you are going to pop fireworks, take them out into the county,” McGehee said.

Those who shoot fireworks in the city limits could be cited for a noise violation, he said.

The fine for a noise violation is $180.

In Vidalia, there is no law regarding when or if fireworks can be set off.

“The mayor and the police department have always been lenient with it,” Police Chief Ronnie G. “Tapper” Hendricks said. “Just do them during a decent hour. We are not going to allow people to do them all night long.”

While the Vidalia authorities are lenient about shooting fireworks in the city, they will respond if they receive a complaint, Hendricks said.

“A lot of subdivisions and neighborhoods are close-knit and they know their neighbors,” he said.

The Town of Ferriday has taken a middle of the road approach when it comes to regulating private fireworks displays.

Residents will be allowed to shoot fireworks between the hours of 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. until Jan. 2., Fire Chief Joe

Sontoyo said.

The late curfew hours will be extended until midnight on weekends and on New Year’s Day.

There are no ordinances directly restricting the use of fireworks outside of municipalities, but Concordia Parish Sheriff Randy Maxwell asked that people use common sense when shooting fireworks in the unincorporated parts of the parish.

“If you’re shooting fireworks at 6:30 p.m., that’s acceptable,” he said. “If it’s a quarter after midnight, that’s not acceptable.”

Concordia Fire District No. 2 Chief Nolen Cothern said the most important step that can be taken to ensure safety is to always make sure children have adult supervision.

“The kids don’t think about it, and they shoot (fireworks) out into a field with dry grass,” he said.