Empty Sky on July 4? Blame the Economy

One port was closed in February after a series of warehouse explosions. The following month, officials closed another port after inspectors found professional fireworks there that had wrongly been declared consumer fireworks, Heckman said.

The port closures, according to the association, mean that 10 percent to 15 percent of fireworks supplies won't reach the United States in time for July 4 celebrations.

"It is the most challenging, most difficult year ever," Heckman said.

Heckman added that professional fireworks display companies are coping with the supply shortage by digging into their reserves.

That strategy hasn't worked for everyone. Matt Sutcliffe, chief executive officer of Premier Pyrotechnics, said his Missouri-based company has had to turn away more than 700 new customers. Most, Sutcliffe said, have been able to make other arrangements for their shows, but about 100 haven't.

"Every client has been understanding," he said, but "it doesn't make it any easier to tell a town full of kids that they're not going to get to see a show this year."