Yes, the 4th of July is long gone, but in La Porte, Indiana, fireworks fans have been having a festival, which began last Saturday and runs through this Friday. That’s because La Porte is the site of this year’s annual convention of the Pyrotechnics Guild International. The purpose is to promote the design and safe display of the finest quality pyrotechnics. There will be fireworks events each evening, as the professionals compete for the title of “Grand Master.” The Guild’s emblem is the “Green Man,” going back to the 17th century, when the person shooting off fireworks covered himself with fresh leaves for protection from sparks. U.S. firms make $232 million worth of fireworks each year — and we import about the same amount from China. Profile America is in its 16th year as a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.