Who doesn’t equate fireworks with July 4th?
But the right to buy and use fireworks in the Upstate comes with responsibilities and regulations that — depending on where you live or plan on celebrating Independence Day — vary.
Before buying and firing your bottle rockets or Roman candles, this checklist will help you abide the rules.
City of Travelers Rest
- Individuals and organizations may not shoot or discharge any fireworks without a permit.
- The city restricts the sale, storage, possession or transportation of any fireworks except Roman candles, bottle rockets, cylindrical and cone fountains, wheels, illuminating torches, sparklers, and firecrackers and salutes with casings.
- Fireworks may not be sold to children under the age of 14 unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
City of Mauldin
- Prohibits the possession, sale, offer for sale, store, transport or use of any fireworks within the city.
City of Simpsonville:
- The city restricts the sale, storage, possession or transportation of any fireworks except Roman candles, bottle rockets, cylindrical and cone fountains, wheels, illuminating torches, sparklers, and firecrackers and salutes with casings.
- Fireworks may not be fired, ignited, or shot in the city’s fire zone, without the approval of the city council.
- Fireworks may not be sold to children under the age of 14 unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- Fireworks may not be used within 600 feet of any church, hospital, asylum or public school.
- Fireworks may not be used within 75 feet of where they are stored, sold or offered for sale.
- Fireworks may not be used within or thrown at any motor vehicle nor are they allowed to be placed in or around any motor vehicle.
- Fireworks may only be used within city limits for a private display unless a permit is granted for a public display.
- Fireworks may not be discharged within the city’s business district.
City of Greer:
- Fireworks are prohibited during parades and city events unless they are permitted by the city.
- If the disturbance from a private fireworks display continues for an extended period of time or at irregular hours, residents may call the Greer Police Department.
Greenville County:
- Fireworks may not be used before 10 a.m. and after 11 p.m. most days of the year.
- Fireworks may not be used before 10 a.m. on July 4 and Dec. 31 and after 1 a.m. on July 5 and Jan. 1.
City of Greenville:
- Fireworks, except sparklers and those which generate no appreciable noise, may not be used between 10 p.m. and 9 a.m.
- The city allows the use of fireworks until 12:30 a.m. on July 5 and Jan. 1.
City of Fountain Inn:
- Fireworks may not be sold within one mile of the central business district or within the central business district.
- Fireworks may be sold from Dec. 18 until midnight Jan. 1 and from June 27 through midnight July 4.
All municipalities, except Greer, have a requirement for a public fireworks display permit, which needs to be requested at least 10 days before the event. Permits are usually granted by the city’s fire chief except in Simpsonville and Mauldin, where the city council will review the request.
Don’t want to buy fireworks? Here are some of the public displays around the Upstate:
July 2
Independence Day Celebration
- Main St., Fountain Inn
- 6-9:30 p.m.
- Free admission
- Live performances by Rufus Lee & the Handful and Cravin Melon, food trucks and kid’s entertainment
3rd Annual Family, Fun & Fireworks Celebration at Hartness
- The Grand Lawn at Hartness, 2000 Society St., Greenville
- 6:30-9:30 p.m.
- Free admission
- Food trucks, music and games
July 3
Town of Williamston Independence Day Celebration
- Mineral Spring Park in Williamston
- 5-10 p.m.
- Free admission
- Food truck vendors, live music, fire truck rides and golf cart parade
July 4
Historic Easley 4th of July Festival
- Old Market Square in downtown Easley
- 3-10 p.m.
- Free admission
- Live music and food
Celebrate Simpsonville
- CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park, 861 S.E. Main St., Simpsonville
- 6-10 p.m.
- Free admission
- Live performances by Rodney Atkins and Dugger Band
4th of July at Fluor Field
- A Greenville Drive game followed by Fireworks, Fluor Field
- 6:05 p.m.
- $11-20
- Greenville Drive vs. Winston-Salem Dash with fireworks to follow the game
Red, White & Boom
- Barnet Park, 248 E. St John St., Spartanburg
- 6-10 p.m.
- Free admission
- Food available on-site and fireworks will begin around 9:30 p.m.
