I think there's a direct correlation between the economy and amount of fireworks.

[joshcryer]

Suffice it to say the neighborhood shot fireworks off for 5 hours straight, and I'm thinking the bootleg kind you have to go out of state to buy, that shoot up in the air and stuff. Professional level stuff. Every year since Obama got elected there were just a tiny bit more fireworks shot. At the onset of the Great Recession, there were few fireworks and the city even canceled the show. Maybe a popper here or there. I know I recall someone throwing firecrackers at me as I walked down the road. Sort of reflecting the sentiment and depression of the time.

But this year was a spectacular show, I saw more fireworks in the past 5 hours than I had in the past 7 years prior. It was way bigger than 2015 which itself was a record year since the American Pyrotechnic Association started keeping figures: http://www.americanpyro.com/assets/docs/FactsandFigures/fireworks%20consump.%20figures%202000-15.pdf

Good times.

[bigwillq]

1. Some towns in my state cancelled fireworks because of budget cuts

From what I remember, the fireworks in my neighborhood have always been pretty spectacular, even in years during the Great Recession.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

2. Our local professional show was nearly twice as long this year as in past years.

The past few years it had to be under 10 minutes and rather anemic. This year it was over 15 minutes and considerably more substantial.

So you might have a point.

[bemildred]

3. It did seem to go on for a long time here.

And lots of loud stuff, not mere strings of firecrackers.

[Nitram]

4. You're right. Good fireworks are very expensive.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

5. The professional show in my city

has been consistent. It is always about 30 minutes. There were also a few amateur displays since they made that stuff legal in my state a few years back (I'm not a fan of it).

[surrealAmerican]

6. It seems like less around here this year.

The city fireworks were about the same as usual, but the illegal, amateur stuff usually goes on for weeks before the forth. This year there was a little the night before, and some on the forth, but that was all.