...said Wednesday. Fireworks sales are expected to reach $700 million this year, $50 million more than 2001, said Julie Heckman, spokeswoman for the American Pyrotechnics Association, an industry group based in Bethesda, Md. She said fireworks...

...Chang said. "Over the years, smaller, safer versions of professional fireworks have trickled down to consumers." Julie Heckman, executive director of the pyrotechnic industry group, credits the growing popularity of fireworks to a rise in patriotism...