When I moved to AL from CA I was really surprised to see firework stands all over the place in December! I thought they were just not taken down from July, but no, they are set up specifically for the Christmas holiday. Also New Years Eve, so get some ear plugs around here! I lost a wonderful german shepard that first year, she was locked on the screen porch because of the weather, and she ran right throught the screen and we never found her! Really sad holiday for all of us. Linda