Fill your belly with barbecue and beer and you'll be doing a pretty decent job honoring the birth of the United States of America.

But eating and drinking are only half the job. You need to finish this par-tay with a boom. And there's only one truly patriotic way to do that: fireworks.

Regardless of politics, religion or economic status, most Americans can agree that explosions are awesome. And we've designated the Fourth of July to indulge in our shared love, whether it blows a huge hole in the ground or shoots bright colors across the night sky.

It's not all fun and games though. There are many incendiary options out there. You might need some help getting started.

On the eve of our nation's birthday, Festiva has compiled a guide to fireworks, plus some tips to keep you safe. Happy Fourth of July! Plus, click here to check out the professional fireworks shows and other July 4 events.

Click the links to see photos by Gabe Hernandez.

* MEGA MAGIC a.k.a The Grand Finale
This is the show stopper. It's a four-barreled tour de force of nighttime rockets. It has one fuse that fires all of its tubes, and for those worried about safety, fear not. This isn't technically an artillery shell like those used in most professional firework shows.
Cost - $99
Duration of show - 1 minute 15 seconds
Suggested use - Hammering home your point, which is that nobody on your block is half the patriot you are.

* LOVE ON FIRE a.k.a. Fountain of Flames
Here's a fiery alternative for those who don't want to crane their necks too far upward. It doesn't shoot high into the sky, but it will spew a fountain of pink and red flames bigger than most houses. This is a killer piece for the length of its use. It erupts for two solid minutes.
Cost - $42
Duration of show - 2 minutes
Suggested use - proposing to a special someone, particularly if a foundation of the relationship is a shared love for pyrotechnics and explosions. (Marry this woman now, fellas!)

* ROMAN CANDLE a.k.a Freedom Candle (back off, Rome ... this is our day)
This one is a classic. It's synonymous with Fourth of July and fireworks. This wand will shoot balls of fire from its barrel in whatever direction you aim it. It's been around so long, most barbecue guests will be disappointed if you don't bust out a few.)
Cost - 12 for $9.60
Duration of show - varies, but most will shoot ten balls
Suggested use - early and often, this is a must for a decent, self-financed fireworks display.

* BOTTLE ROCKETS a.k.a. The Classic
Thinking about skipping the rockets this year? Slap yourself. George Washington would be ashamed, if he knew what a bottle rocket was and had lived to be older than 200. But do yourself a favor with these, follow the name and get a bottle to launch them. And don't point them at the neighbors.
Cost - 18 for $12 or $1.50 each
Duration of show - blink and you'll miss it
Suggested use - anytime, all day on the Fourth of July. 

* MONSTER BANG a.k.a. Hearing Loss
The Monster Bang takes 5,000 Black Cats, the little ones that pop, and ties them together with one massive fuse. That's right, 5,000. This is some serious fire power, and it'll make a lot of noise. Cover those ears.
Cost - $50
Duration of show - less than 30 seconds
Suggested use - middle of the show, to teach a lesson to anyone who stopped paying attention.

* BLACK CATS a.k.a. Snap, Crackle or Pop
These are another staple of a solid Fourth of July, but don't over do them. There's nothing too special about Black Cats. You light them, and they explode. No monster light show or hole in the ground to show for it.
Cost - 3 packages of 1,000 for $40
Duration of show - one second
Suggested use - not too much. They're not even that fun. They just pop.

* M-66 a.k.a. Dyno-MITE
An M-66 is an 1/8 stick of dynamite. It's like a Black Cat on steroids. It's infinitely cooler than most fireworks though, because long after the party, you'll have a commemorative crater to remember your good time.
Cost - 72 for $10
Duration of show - one second
Suggested use - Showing your backyard who's boss.

* MORNING GLORIES a.k.a. Super Sparklers
These are sparklers that are probably bigger, and in some cases brighter, than most kids. They're 36 inches. And they'll light and turn colors for a good while. These things are super safe, unless junior tries to poke himself in the eyes or mouth with them. But if he's into that, you probably have other problems anyway.
Cost - 36 for $5
Duration of show - looong time
Suggested use - to keep the kids happy, quiet and out of your hair while you light the big guns.

>>> WARNING AND SAFETY TIPS

Using fireworks is against city ordinances in the majority of the Valley. In McAllen, for example, violators can be charged with a Class C Misdemeanor and fined up to $500.

Also, fireworks are dangerous and can cause injuries. Edinburg Fire Chief Shawn Snider has responded to dozens of fireworks-caused injuries and blazes. Here's some key advice:

• Watch where you light those things. Fireworks are fast and flammable. That means you can light your house on fire, or abandoned buildings or fields of dry grass.
• Keep buckets of water nearby. Fireworks start small and get out of hand. You need a plan for putting them out.
• Watch your kids. Duh. Don't let them light Black Cats, Bottle Rockets or Roman Candles in their hands. Those fireworks are all designed to launch from a bottle or stand. Lighting them in hand and throwing them can cause gross disfiguration.
• Use a lighting punk. Don't light fireworks with a cigarette lighter. Punks are those things that look like incense. They're very safe and cheap. Most importantly, they let you light the fireworks from a distance.
• Don't get hammered. Watch the drinking. It should go without saying that being wasted and playing with heavy duty explosives is a bad idea, but yet, people insist on doing it. Then they get hurt.

>>> PROFESSIONAL SHOWS

McAllen
When: 9 to 9:30 p.m., July 4
Where: McAllen Municipal Park, 2100 Tamarack Ave., McAllen

South Padre Island
When: 9:15 p.m., July 4
Where: The center of Laguna Madre Bay 

Edinburg
When: 9:15 p.m., July 4
Where: Edinburg Municipal Park, 714 S. Raul Longoria Road

>>> CONCERTS 

Michael Salgado
When: 3:30 p.m., July 4
Where: Edinburg Municipal Park, 714 S. Raul Longoria Road
Cost: Free, with $10 for parking

>>> FOOD

Texas Cook'em High Steaks
When: 10 a.m. to all day, July 4
Where: Edinburg Municipal Park, 714 S. Raul Longoria Road
Cost: Free, with $10 for parking
Includes: Music, children's activities and fireworks display

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

Alamo Fireworks, 5407 Highway 107, Edinburg. They carry all the items we have featured here. And they are open today and July 4.