Where to see fireworks in Waterloo Region,

WATERLOO REGION — The special red and white Canada Day fireworks have been flying off the shelves at Zeus Singh’s pop-up fireworks shop.

“I’m restocking those today already,” he says from the Kitchener location of Phatboy Fireworks.

This Canada Day has already been unlike any other for Singh, who has sold fireworks seasonally for about eight years.

People want to celebrate Canada’s sesquicentennial with a big, loud bang.

“This year most people want bigger and louder fireworks that have more colours,” Singh says.

“I was really busy this morning but Saturday will be the busiest day.”

Last-minute shoppers will fill his store and gather up sparklers, spinning wheels or bright-coloured comets to shoot up into the sky this Saturday night.

He is often peppered with questions about which fireworks are the “biggest and the best.”

Aside from the red and white Canada Day fireworks, he says one particular item called ‘the big kahuna’ has been a big seller.

It shoots several sparks into the sky that explode with colour.

“Those are really popular,” he says.

Singh usually sells fireworks about six days before Canada Day from his store on Victoria Street North.

It’s always the busiest time of the year. He also sells fireworks before Victoria Day and Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.

Meanwhile, authorities remind people to follow fireworks bylaws.

In Kitchener, fireworks must be set off 25 feet from any building or structure. They can be set off on Canada day as well as the day before and day after.

In Waterloo, fireworks can be set off seven days before Canada Day and seven days after. They must be used outside in a way that does not cause a nuisance.

In Cambridge, fireworks can only be set off on Canada Day or the day before and the day after. Some fireworks safety tips:

Always set off fireworks in a clear, open area.

Check wind direction and speed. Have water handy. Use eye protection and wear non-flammable clothing.

Read and follow label directions.

Keep spectators at least 20 metres from the launch area.

Wait 30 minutes after display has ended and dispose of fireworks properly by soaking them in water then disposing in the trash.