Get out your American flags, red, white and blue clothes and fire up the barbecue -- the Fourth of July is almost here.

And thanks to changes in Minnesota laws, this year's Independence Day celebrations can include fireworks.

Not all types of fireworks, mind you -- don't plan on wowing your neighborhood by shooting hundreds of firecrackers into the night sky -- but this year sparklers and novelty items such as snakes, snappers, glow worms and the like can be purchased to thrill kids and adults alike.

As of April 30 Minnesota law permits fireworks that aren't explosive or aerial. The list includes:

Wire or wood sparklers with no more than 100 grams of chemical mixture per item

Sparkling items with a cylindrical foundation or cone foundation that, when ignited, showers colorful sparks or smoke and sometimes produces a whistling sound

Illuminating torches

Wheels that are meant to be attached to a tree or post and when lit, spins around with a shower of colored sparks and makes a whistling noise

Ground spinners that, as the name implies, are put on the ground and spin, shower color sparks and make whistling noises after they are lit

Flitter sparklers, which are narrow, paper tubes attached to a stick or wire that burst into colored sparks when ignited

Novelty items such as snakes, glow worms and smoke devices

Noisemakers like paper streamers, party poppers, string poppers, snappers and drop pops

Fireworks still prohibited in Minnesota include anything that explodes, leaves the ground or shoots anything other than sparks into the air, such as:

Firecrackers of any size

Ladyfingers

Sky rockets

Bottle rockets

Missile-type rockets

Helicopters, aerial spinners, planes, UFOs

Roman Candles

Chasers

Parachutes

Aerial shells

Theatrical pyrotechnics

In addition to restrictions on the types of fireworks that people can buy, the state has established some other rules for consumers. Minnesota law states fireworks are not permitted on public property, which includes parks, roads, alleys and schools. Additionally, anyone who wants to purchase fireworks must be at least 18 years old and must have a photo identification at the time of purchase. However, there are no restrictions on how old someone must be to possess and use the novelty items and a permit from the State Fire Marshal Division is not necessary for the sale, possession or use of legal fireworks in the state.

Though the list of permitted fireworks may not include anything that will light up the sky, many convenience and discount stores in Austin have made sure their shelves are stocked with a wide variety of legal fireworks.

Ivan Hackman, store team leader of the Austin Target, said they are offering "everything that is legal in the state of Minnesota … we have sparklers, smoke bombs, poppers and then we have packs," which are stuffed full of novelty items.

While many parents may be apprehensive about letting their children play with novelty fireworks, Hackman said he hasn't heard any complaints. In fact, all their fireworks have been very popular, Hackman said. "We've already sold through the initial shipment and we received more. We should have lots to carry us through the Fourth of July."

Hackman said he also hasn't had problems with people younger than 18 years old trying to purchase any fireworks.

"We require IDs whenever anyone purchases them and we keep them near the check-outs so we can keep an eye on them," he said.

Amanda L. Rohde can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at :mailto:amanda.rohde@austindailyherald.com