They are artists who work their craft only days a year yet
attract audiences of thousands who loyally return to watch them
perform.
In ancient times they may have been called magicians, and in the
modern era they must work under the scrutiny of both the federal
government and the fire department.
They devote long hours for a show that lasts minutes,
choreographing to entertain while planning for safety to prevent
serious injury and even death. Their medium is explosives; their
canvas the sky.
George Erdman and Rod Browder are Pyrotechnic Operators, and
this weekend they’ll paint the skies above Healdsburg, Windsor and
Sebastopol with 1,500 explosives of all shapes and colors. Both are
as much fans as professionals, years ago drawn to the occupation
through a love of the craft.
“It’s a great combination of art, science and wizardry,” said
Erdman. “The art form of doing something in the sky is just
phenomenal. They’re beauty and awe at the same time. They hit
something primal, and it’s not gender specific.”
Erdman, who heads the Healdsburg and Windsor show each year, and
Browder, who does Sebastopol, are local operators who contract with
firework giant Pyro Spectaculars. Matthew Gilfillan, a show
producer with Pyro Spectaculars, said his company will perform more
than 400 4th of July celebrations this weekend, events communities
pay $2,500 to $1 million—or more—to enjoy.
These shows can include 150 firework shells to thousands,
although Erdman warns that it’s the size of the shell that matters
far more than the number. Pyro Spectaculars purchases these shells
from companies around the world, handpicking firework displays from
China, Spain, France, Italy and many other European and Asian
nations.
The company may buy roman candles from Spain, for example, and
salutes from Spain—the ones that you feel in your chest, said
Gilfillan. Many of the world’s best firework manufacturers are
located in China, shells he said are “very diverse and very
reliable.”
Ordering is done years in advance, allowing for long treks
across the Pacific and Atlantic ocean by container ships
transporting the explosives from manufacturer to the United States.
The fireworks are then processed through customs, entering the
country under strict regulations that Gilfillan said have become
much stricter since the terrorist attacks on September 11,
2001.
Licensed drivers truck the fireworks to secure locations, which
sit in warehouses waiting for New Year’s celebrations, baseball
games, 4th of July events and any other occasion deemed appropriate
by communities, organizations and businesses with enough money to
buy them. These trucks will arrive in Sonoma County this weekend
for the many Saturday and Sunday shows, including those in
Healdsburg, Windsor and Sebastopol.
In years when July 4 is on a weekday—Wednesday, for example—the
various celebrations tend to be scheduled for the weekend before,
the weekday of, and the weekend after. With Independence Day on a
Sunday this year, Gilfillan said the industry is in high gear as
operators all need their fireworks on the same two days.
In Sebastopol, Browder unpacks his shells and organizes some
together for the show. “You try to put the palm trees or happy
faces or waterfalls together,” he said.
Erdman said he spends 80 hours on each of his two shows in
Healdsburg and Windsor, carefully choosing the ordering and pairing
of his shells. “I do chorography for my shows,” he said. “I keep a
colored spread sheet to chart out what shells are going to go
where, and what’s going to be in the finale. I mix and match so the
finales are different every year.”
Erdman said he takes pride in his shows and is a longtime fan of
fireworks. He grew up the son of an army officer and saw firework
displays all over the globe. One memorable show was in Japan with
Mt. Fuji looming behind. “My mom said my eyes just blew open the
first time I saw fireworks,” he said. “I’ve always had a love of
them.
“They’re beautiful,” he said. “It’s one of the oldest forms of
sound and light. The tradition goes back a long, long time.”
Where to go for ooohs and aaahs!
~ Saturday, July 3 ~
BODEGA BAY
Westside Park
The fun begins with the Bodega Bay Fire Fighters’ Association
annual pancake breakfast (7:30 a.m.-11 a.m.) and fireworks begin at
9:30 p.m. Free. For more information go online to Facebook and look
for Bodega Bay Fireworks. 875-3866.
MONTE RIO
Monte Rio Beach
Come early for the Big Rocky Games for kids at the Monte Rio
Beach (11 a.m.-4 p.m.), stay for the Monte Rio Volunteer
Firefighters barbecue at the fire house (noon to 5 p.m.) and enjoy
the Water Carnival Boat Parade and Water Curtain at dusk. Free
admission. For more information go online to www.mrrpd.org. 865-1533.
SEBASTOPOL
Analy High School
Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Presented by the Sebastopol Kiwanis
Club, festivities include food, live music, and games. Bring
blankets or sit on the bleachers. Fireworks begin at dusk (around
9:30 p.m.). Adults/$8, 6-13/$4, under 6/free. Sunset Ave. at Taft
St.
823-3081.
WINDSOR
Windsor High School
Gates open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at dusk (around 9:30
p.m.) Admission fee is $1 and hungry patrons can buy kettle corn,
snow cones and hot dogs. 838-1260. For more information, go online
to the Town’s website at www.ci.windsor.ca.us.
~ Sunday, July 4 ~
GUERNEVILLE
Johnson’s Beach
The Guerneville Independence Day Celebration kicks off with a
craft fair on the plaza (10 a.m.-6 p.m.), a Russian River Rotary
barbecue at Lark’s Parking Lot (noon-8 p.m.), a street party on
Main Street, and fireworks at dusk over the river at Johnson’s
Beach. For more information go online to www.russianriver.com.
869-9000.
HEALDSBURG
Healdsburg High School
The 20th Annual Fireworks Show gets started at around 5:30 p.m.
with food, music and heirloom photo ops with Uncle Sam. Fireworks
start at dusk. At 1024 Prince Ave. For more information, go online
to www.healdsburg.com or
Healdsburg Fireworks on Facebook.
