They say two things don't experience a drop-off in sales during dire economic times. Beer and cosmetics.

Add fireworks to the list. Or at least take this upcoming Fourth of July holiday as a sign the recession might have a short wick.

Recession or not, fireworks retailers believe good weather and the holiday's falling on a weekend will lead to strong sales.

"The Fourth is on a Sunday, so we're going to have a great Friday, Saturday and Sunday," said Marilyn O'Connor, owner of Boom Town Fireworks in Dyer. "Last year we had a cold, damp June, and people came later.

"It should be a great year."

O'Connor, who has been involved in selling fireworks since 1975, said most of her business is word-of-mouth and Internet-driven. Her customers can go online and watch videos of the fireworks they want to buy in action (she also offers the same service via in-store flat-screen TVs).

The Internet is changing the way to do business," O'Connor said. "You can satisfy a niche -- the 'picky pyro.' "

O'Connor said her average customer is someone like a business owner who has acreage in Indiana and "wants to impress family and friends."

Greg Kaplan, who owns eight Krazy Kaplan's fireworks outlets in Dyer, Hammond, Merrillville, LaPorte and Whiting, said last year's sale were "relatively flat" due to the economy and poor weather -- particularly the rain on the Fourth of July itself.

"I would say this year is optimistic because the Fourth of July is falling on a Sunday," Kaplan said.

Kaplan said early sales were affected by poor weather in May but a nice Memorial Day weekend brought customers back.

"Sales were strong," he said. "As long as we have a hot, steamy summer, I think sales are going to be strong."

Kaplan said consumers will benefit this year, because "China is basically not adding a duty this year" on products.

"Which, in turn, brought some prices down," he said.

"For the last two or three years, the Chinese have been putting a duty on everything and basically bumping up prices 10 to 20 percent to the wholesalers in the states."

Prices as a whole, Kaplan said, will remain stable. So it's all about how you market the business.

"We do a few gimmicks, but we also have the world's best selection," he said.

"Nobody goes as crazy as I do when it comes to buying."

Christopher Jason Camisa of Hobart hasn't made a decision on where he'll buy this year's fireworks, but he'll probably go to local shops or "roadside tents," he said.

Camisa said he'll look for any specials but doesn't have a fireworks budget, just whatever money he has in his pocket at the time.

"I certainly will look for any 'buy two -- get three free,' " he said. "I absolutely refuse to pay retail price for anything, especially during a recession."

Some municipalities have gotten creative when it comes to presenting fireworks shows in the current economic climate. Last year, Valparaiso had to make a few changes due to the economy and the lower amount of donations received. Instead of having the LaPorte Symphony Orchestra perform during the fireworks display, the city enlisted the Valparaiso High School band program and will do so again this year.

"We were creatively frugal in that way," said Dan McGuire of the Valparaiso Department of Parks and Recreation. "It's a community event, so having our own high school band (which receives a stipend for performing) offers more of a hometown feeling, plus it brings out more parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters."

McGuire said they "loved" the LaPorte Symphony Orchestra, and a project is in the works to have it perform at a different venue in August.

McGuire said they also raised the rent for food vendors, who instead of paying a percentage now pay a flat upfront free.

The city also worked with other vendors, including the fireworks provider, to "put on a quality show," McGuire said.