Summer is a time when excitement abounds, the days seem to go on forever, and the sounds of celebrations and fun fill the air. Of course none of that would be complete without the sounds (and sights) of Phantom Fireworks filling the air! 

But as we coast toward Autumn and prepare for the inevitable changes a new season brings, we can’t help but recognize the opportunity to reflect. 

The leaves morphing from rich greens to a warm palette of yellows, oranges and reds reminds us of nature’s constant and relentless quest for balance. We think it serves as a valuable metaphor for our own lives; throughout each phase we grow, evolve, adapt, overcome and yet always return to our true selves when a season of renewal arrives again.

The Fall season includes the Hindu holiday Diwali. It’s one that, like Independence Day, is marked with fireworks as a core component of its celebration. Diwali is also known as the Festival of Lights, where fireworks represent the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. 

The nearly week-long observance of Diwali dates back centuries; in the same way the 4th of July centers on freedom and patriotism, Diwali carries themes of inclusion, togetherness and community. As the world’s great ethnic mosaic, the US has understandably embraced Diwali celebrations more and more in recent years. 

The team at Phantom Fireworks has reached out to the Mahoning Valley’s Hindu community to join us for a discussion about Diwali, its cultural significance, and the role fireworks play in the celebration. We look forward to bringing that conversation to our social media platforms in the near future.

In the meantime, whether you plan to observe Diwali or not, you might take the occasion to apply some of its guiding principles to your ‘quiet time’. Make its meaning your own. For us, the spirit of unity and solidarity it carries is one that serves as a beacon throughout the year, not just in the Fall. 

As America’s 250th birthday approaches in 10 months, that spirit goes hand in hand with what makes fireworks and America so special - a unique oneness that’s sustained us for more than two centuries. If we let it, it surely will sustain us for centuries to come.