The ban on fireworks in several Washington cities, as well as the fact that the Fourth Of July falls on a Wednesday, hurt fireworks sales.

In Spokane County, fireworks are banned in Spokane, Spokane Valley, Cheney, and Liberty Lake. Fireworks are legal, but restricted in Airway Heights, Deer Park, and Medical Lake.

You can also light off fireworks on private property in Coeur d'Alene; but the fireworks can't explode in the air.

Wednesday, American Hero fireworks in Airway Heights sold all types of gunpowder-filled projectiles in honor of the holiday.

"The hottest selling item is mortars and Roman candles," said salesman Justin Rogers .

Once the items were purchased, the next challenge for customers was to find a place to fire them off.

"If you want to drive 40 minutes from here, there's a designated area out  by our other stand," Rogers told a customer.

Fireworks companies said the enthusiasm for fireworks is still there, but sales are down about five percent this year from last year.

At TNT fireworks, the company said they're down 15 percent. According to the news outlet Reuters, this year has seen the worst decline in fireworks sales nationally since the Vietnam War.

Fireworks sales companies said there was another factor contributing to declining sales. "The Fourth of July falling on a Wednesday is the worst day it could fall on from our perspective," said TNT salesperson Tim Matthews.

The day is being blamed just as much as the bans throughout the area for declining sales. Matthews said he was only able to sell on July 2nd, 3rd and 4th. He also said the windy and rainy weather on Tuesday didn't help.

"We're expected to take significantly more returns (back to the company)," he said.

The sales may be down in 2012 but the stands won't be going out of business. At least not without a bang.

"(The holiday) is on Thursday next year, and that will be a lot better for us," Matthews said.