Shooting the Manlius Fireworks

This is the July 3, 2010 show in Manlius, NY by American Fireworks from Utica, NY.

Each shell has a safety fuse that burn for about 5-6 seconds and then the shell launches. I use a standard road flare to light the safety fuses. You are watching what I say is my "dance."

The fumes from the road flare take your breath away, so I have to wave the flare around my body so I can breathe. To keep the pace for the audience, I have to light a safety fuse every 2-3 seconds. That means I have about 3 shells lit at any one time.

I try to keep a distance from the ones about to launch, just in case they explode in the tube or if they flowerpot - explode right at the top of the tube. After lighting a safety fuse, I move on to the next shell that I choose pretty much at random. I'm always listening for the shells to launch and burst in the air. Then I can return to that rack of tubes to light another shell.

Just repeat that "dance" process for 20 minutes and the audience enjoys the show.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• manlius
• fireworks
• behind-the-scenes