With July 4 this Sunday, fireworks vendors are in full swing.

One of these vendors is Fred Berry, who has been in the fireworks business since 1981, and has had a passion for it for even longer. He and his wife Cindy recently opened his third fireworks store, in Hayden. His other two are in Warrior and Dodge City. They even have their eye on a fourth location.

“He has a passion for it,” said Cindy. “He doesn’t hunt or fish. His hobby actually makes money, and I don’t know how many wives can say that.”

Fred sold his first fireworks at a bicentennial celebration in 1976.

“That’s when I knew there was a market for them,” he said. Fred has had a keen interest in fireworks ever since he was a child.

“What fascinates me is the design,” he said. “The initial boom from them gives you a natural high… When it goes up in the air and it does its thing, I think ‘there’s something I can do out here that people can enjoy.’”

Although he doesn’t do them anymore, Fred said he was once known for his shows. He even put on a fireworks show for Evel Knieval in 1995 in Tunica, Miss.

“It’s a lot of work. It involves a lot of heavy lifting,” he said. Both he and Cindy have day jobs; Cindy works for the government and Fred works for American Cast Iron Pipe Company. They said between doing their jobs and running the store, they simply ran out of time to do shows.

“When he first introduced me to fireworks, I had my reservations,” said Cindy. “Now I can shoot right beside him.”

Fred and Cindy have four children between them, and they all try to help at the stores. One of their daughters is in charge of the Dodge City store.

“We have a son who’s an Air Force pilot,” said Cindy. “He thinks it’s fun to work in a fireworks store.”

Fred said he personally tests all his products for safety and quality.

“A lot of times we’ll test right in our backyard,” he said. “Our neighbors will run out and vote on the one I should stock.”

Fred offered these safety tips he collected in his years in the business:

• “Buy fireworks from reliable businesses — somebody who’s been in the business for a long time.”

• “Don’t ever light more than one item at a time.”

• “Multi-effect items, like boards and multi-shot cakes, are your safest bet.”

• “All fireworks are safe, even if they don’t go off right, if you follow the printed instructions.”

• “Do not drink while shooting fireworks. You won’t have a clear mind.”

The Hayden Store is located at 555 Highway 160, near Chico’s Restaurant.