Newburgh’s Gary Riddle and his two sons, Calvin and Rhett, are joined with their friend, Alex Foncannon, at Mark’s Fireworks near Wessleman’s in Newburgh on Saturday, June 27. The use of fireworks on Independence Day dates back to the first celebration in 1777, and the business of retail fireworks sales continues to boom nearly two-and-a-half centuries later. Photo by Timothy W. Young