With the down economy, many are wondering if this year's fireworks sales would be a boom or fizzle out. The 4th of July weekend is almost here and for many preparations started weeks ago.

Fireworks make the holiday complete. You can spot the tents a mile away, the huge inflatable mascots signaling the place to buy.

Judith Bumgardner is executive director of the Habitat for Humanity in Sarpy County. She sees the July 4th as an explosive time for fundraising.

"Just general donations are down about 30 percent this year, but people don't stop spending on the things that they want and so that's another reason why this kind of thing, this kind of fundraiser made sense because people are getting something for their money."

"To me, I would think maybe it's that they seem to break all the rules because you get to light something on fire and it goes boom and it goes up and it makes fire and sparks and everything and it's just cool."

At this Bellevue fireworks stand at 15th and Cornhusker, she says people are spending on average $50 at a time, but some reach $200-$300. "It astonishes me ‘cause I'm not a fireworks person, but every single day our sales grow and grow and grow, so somebody out there likes them and likes doing them."

Stephanie Peterson is one of those people. "It's like a timeless classic ‘cause nobody sells them anymore." She's enjoyed fireworks all her life and plans ahead so she can stock up.

"This is my own personal Christmas so I always go a little overboard and it's one of those things, you know it's coming up so I saved a little bit extra."

In La Vista, it's not much different. "We're ready for it, we're completely stocked, so we're doing good, we're ready,” said Michelle Hough, doing a fundraiser for La Vista Youth Football. She says some have spent as much as $500-$600 at a time.

In both locations, organizers say the most important thing is the money is going to a good cause. "We'll be lucky if we have to pack anything up and put it back in the truck which is great!” says Bumgardner. “The more, the better for Habitat, that will just help us build more homes in Sarpy County."

Nationwide, the fireworks industry is also expecting a good year, predicting a slight increase in sales of about $20 million more than last year. An important reminder is the stands are in Sarpy County because it is illegal to buy or shoot off fireworks in Omaha city limits.

There are two big fireworks displays in the city. The Omaha World-Herald’s Fireworks Show is Friday night at Rosenblatt Stadium after the Royals game against New Orleans. Game time is 6:35 p.m.

On Saturday, Boys Town will host a free fireworks show at approximately 9:30 p.m. It will be held on the football field at 340 Mahoney Road. Police will be there to help direct parking.

There’s also a big holiday party Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. Larry The Cable Guy hosts a concert complete with fireworks.

Crews were working Thursday to "get 'r done,” setting up everything from the stage to the lights. Officials are expecting a crowd of at least 53,000. Lincoln and university police will be patrolling the downtown area, much like they do during Husker football games.

"We don't anticipate any real problems occurring,” said Butch Hug, assistant AD for events. “We will screen people at the gates and so we hope people come for the entertainment aspect and not to just make it a wild party."

Just as on game days, bags will be searched before entering the stadium. You cannot bring in coolers, alcohol or glass bottles.

There are still tickets left at $6 each, available at the UNL ticket office or by calling 1-800-8-BIG-RED.