Cities and organizations across the Piedmont Triad are gearing up to light up the sky with dazzling fireworks displays in celebration of this year's Independence Day!

On this July 4 holiday, here's a refresher on N.C.'s stricter laws around fireworks including age restrictions, penalties and more.

A handful of towns in the Triangle are kicking off Fourth of July festivities a day early, attributing vendor availability, financial reasons and proximity to larger festivities to making early celebrations a tradition for their communities.