The extension builds on last year’s first-ever sale of fireworks for the holiday in Fort Bend following the Texas Legislature’s approval of House Bill 608, passed in 2023, which allows commissioners courts statewide the ability to allow firework sales during the Diwali season, Community Impact reported.
The holiday—celebrated by over 1 billion people worldwide—celebrates the return of the Hindu god Rama from 14 years of exile and symbolizes the triumph of “darkness over light,” said Bharat Patel, a member of Hindus of Greater Houston and a Fort Bend County resident.
Known as the “Festival of Light,” people across the world celebrate Diwali by cleaning and decorating their houses with bright lights and colors, getting together with family and friends and feasting on traditional foods, Sugar Land resident Mahendra Kumar said.
But one tradition stands out as the most important, several Fort Bend County residents said.
“You can’t have Diwali without fireworks,” said Viral Desai, a volunteer for BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Stafford.
Why it matters
Precinct 4 Commissioner Dexter McCoy said the issue of firework sales first came up in 2024 when community members asked the county to consider them during the holiday.
“We found out that people were buying fireworks during July 4, storing them at their home, which is very, very unsafe, so that they would have them to be able to use during Diwali,” McCoy said. “And we knew that wasn't right.”
Fort Bend County Fire Marshal Justin Jurek said storing fireworks inside homes can be extremely dangerous. Without proper storage or supervision, children can get hold of the fireworks, potentially “wreaking havoc.”
“If you have stored fireworks in your home, that's an increased fireload, increased fire danger,” Jurek said. “[If] something minor [were to happen in your home], and you have this abundance of fireworks there ... you're looking at a big boom versus the small boom of the firework.”
In their own words
With so many diverse communities in Fort Bend County, the ordinance gives hope to voices that previously wouldn’t have a chance to shine through, BAPS volunteer Purav Patel said.
“I think it's more so that now we have a larger voice in the community,” he said.
For participants across the county, the ability to purchase fireworks will finally give them the “true Diwali feeling,” with the vibrant atmosphere energizing the community, Desai said.
The celebrations extend beyond those who celebrate Diwali to those of different backgrounds—allowing them to learn about each other’s cultures, he said.
“I think that's probably the more important part to recognize that, ‘hey, everyone can celebrate this,’” Desai said. “I think it gives an opportunity to even my neighbor that's a non-Indian, to celebrate Diwali with fireworks because fireworks are a universal language.”
Looking ahead
Fireworks can be sold by permitted retailers from Oct. 13-23, according to agenda documents.
The largest celebrations will be at Hindu temples, including BAPS, which will host a celebration Oct. 20 to celebrate Diwali Day.
The temple is also holding a multiday festival Oct. 17 and 18, featuring over 1,000 vegetarian dishes, hands-on displays, carnival games and more, Patel said.
