Kristen Harding
America’s birthday is here and there’s an open invitation for this countrywide celebration. While not everyone can celebrate in the typical Fourth of July fashion by consuming alcohol at all-day barbecues, there is one way to celebrate that can be enjoyed by all ages — fireworks.
Most people will likely agree that the bright colors that light up the night sky and the loud booms that wake the neighborhood are necessary elements for a successful celebration, even if some onlookers are left with stiff necks.
Fireworks have existed in the U.S. since the very beginning. They have been one of the longest standing celebratory traditions and have become a symbol of the one holiday that only Americans celebrate. After all, in 1776, John Adams suggested that the Fourth “ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade ... bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore.” It seems as though we’ve taken this suggestion and ran with it.
No matter where fireworks are viewed, whether it’s from a blanket spread out on the grass or in stadium seating at a baseball game, they leave people with the same reaction. From the streaming whistle to the explosive boom to the descending crackling, the audience is wide-eyed, even if the display is less than impressive. Fireworks are just too dramatic (and way too loud) to ignore.
But firework displays aren’t easily thrown together. While there are people who put on small shows in their backyards with the fireworks they’ve purchased from the tents set up in random parking lots, the shows that are made for large crowds take a lot of planning, especially if those venues expect another crowd the following year.
Matthew Magda, executive director of resort operations at Mount Airy Casino and Resort, knows what it takes to keep a crowd entertained after hosting a successful fireworks display last year.
“It’s not too long, it’s not too short,” said Magda. “It’s a big enough show that leaves the crowd wanting more.”
Mount Airy actually displays what is referred to as a pyromusical, which will take place Saturday at 9 p.m. Magda explained that the show lasts about 21 minutes, playing about nine songs that are coordinated with the fireworks.
“It’s definitely something that this area has never seen,” Magda said with confidence. And after working on the Vegas Strip, he certainly knows what it takes to wow an audience.
Typically, firework displays start off a bit more on the mellow side and continue to build the audience up for the big bang at the grand finale. Most finish with a shower of fireworks of all colors and designs.
“It leaves the audience with that awe factor,” said Magda, which, in any type of performance, is exactly how a show should end.
Considering fireworks have been around for about 1,000 years, it should be expected that someone figured out how to perfect a fireworks display. The whole point is to attract the audience, which is usually done by using a variety of fireworks. No one wants to see the same explosive shape and repeated colors throughout the entire show. With such a large selection of fireworks to choose from, there should be no excuse for a professional to set off a display with continuously recognizable effects.
Stephen Vitale, President of Pyrotecnico, one of the largest fireworks companies in the U.S., explained that a good fireworks show starts off with what is called an “opening barrage” which consists of multiple loud fireworks and ends with a dynamic finale.
“For a good display you need, one, a good location; two, a good product; and most importantly, a great pyrotechnician,” Vitale said.
For this to be successful, a venue must be willing to pay a price. A Fourth of July event typically costs around $15,000. Vitale explained that around this time the industry has capacity which drives prices skyward.
“There’s more of a demand for the Fourth. Otherwise, display costs are usually cut in half,” said Vitale.
For an Independence Day celebration, there are also a lot of special effects involved. And as expected, there is a lot of red, white and blue.
So this July 4th, grab a blanket and a few friends and head out to see a fireworks display, no matter where you are. With this party going on everywhere in America, there is no excuse not to attend and no need to RSVP.
Fireworks Do’s and Dont’s (for those setting off their own displays)
Cleary, don’t let kids near the fireworks.
Keep a bucket of water nearby in case of an emergency.
Make sure you have enough room for your display. About half an acre is sufficient.
Read the instructions. They’re on there for a reason.
Don’t drink alcohol near the fireworks (or light fireworks while you’re drunk).
Don’t wear baggy clothing.
If a firework doesn’t go off right away, don’t go back to it. It might still go off.
Make sure to soak the fireworks in water before throwing them away.
Don’t buy illegal fireworks. You risk getting caught, burned or both.
For a list of area fireworks displays, click
here.