Officers are done giving out warnings – illegal fireworks will bring a citation.

Just across the bridge they sit proudly, colorfully on the shelves, waiting to release their sparkling innards.

There’s “the Matrix” and the “Nordic Legend.” The 800-shot “Saturn Missile.” And in the big box, dwarfing most of its combustible counterparts, rests “The Peacemaker,” whose presumably peaceful contents include rows of “artillery shells.”

Of course it’s all about fun for fireworks enthusiasts, said Charles Lawrence as he manned the fireworks booth across the street from the Suquamish Clearwater Casino.

And ironic name or not, Lawrence said the Peacemaker puts on quite a show.

“Probably a couple of hours,” he shrugged, when asked how long it would take to burn through all of the Peacemaker’s $450 worth of fireworks.

Lawrence, whose brother owns the booth at which he works, said business was already crackling by mid-week. It should be in full boom by today, on the final weekend before the Fourth of July.

“This whole parking lot will be full,” he said, pointing to a gravel expanse that was all but empty Thursday morning. “People spend a lot of money here. Someone spent $1,300 the other day.”

Those who fail to observe fireworks laws can expect to spend a few more bucks on a ticket if they’re caught by police, said Bainbridge Deputy Police Chief Mark Duncan.

Legal fireworks – which include sparklers, cones, fountains, ground spinners, spinning wheels, smoke devices, Roman candles and small mines, shells and mortars – can be discharged on the island only between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. July 4.

Many fireworks – including any type of firecracker, bottle rocket or skyrocket, among others – may only be purchased and discharged on tribal lands.

Possessing or discharging some of those fireworks on the island is illegal any time and could lead to penalties up to $1,000. Possession of explosive devices, such as M-80s, is a felony.

Concerned about safety, police this year will not issue warnings as they have in the past, to violators of fireworks laws. Instead, Duncan said, they will issue citations and confiscate fireworks.

The fireworks stands on the island are only allowed to sell legal fireworks, but even those may only be used at specific times.

Different cities have different fireworks restrictions. Like Bainbridge, Bremerton and Port Orchard only allow the discharge of fireworks on the Fourth. In Poulsbo, fireworks can be lit between July 2 and 4 from noon to 11:00 p.m., cutting off at 9 p.m. July 5. In unincorporated Kitsap County, fireworks can be lit from noon to 11:00 p.m. between now and July 5; those hours extend to 9 a.m. to midnight on July 4.

Washington State Ferries is preparing for the Fourth as well, warning travelers to expect longer-than-usual waits due to the high volume of travelers taking ferries to celebrations around Puget Sound. The Bainbridge/Seattle run will be on its holiday schedule for the Fourth.

A WSF release encouraged passengers hoping to catch fireworks displays from the deck of the ferry to watch from the shore instead.

Meanwhile, officials are telling those planning to take fireworks aboard vessels to store them in an easily accessible spot and to anticipate and allow for screening time by police with explosives-detecting dogs.

“Ferry customers are expected to obey laws regarding legal fireworks in Washington State,” said Washington State Patrol Sergeant Craig Johnson. “Illegal or other explosive devices are not allowed on ferries and will be confiscated and disposed of by Washington State Patrol.”

Even legal fireworks should be handled with care, Duncan said, adding that accidental fires or other damage caused by fireworks can still lead to criminal charges.

Information from the Fire Marshal’s office on fireworks safety is available online at www.wsp.wa.gov/fireworks/default.htm.

“This is supposed to be a celebration,” Duncan said. “We just want people to be safe.”

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Honorable discharge

Legal fireworks – which include sparklers, cones, fountains, ground spinners, spinning wheels, smoke devices, Roman candles and small mines, shells and mortars – can be discharged on Bainbridge Island only between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. July 4. A complete, up-to-date list of legal and illegal fireworks is maintained by the state fire marshal’s office at http://www.wsp.wa.gov/fireworks/mediakit/lglfwrks.pdf.