Blaze of glory

Dear editor:
    Canada Day certainly ended in a blaze of glory! That is, if you were watching the fireworks display from any of the amazing vantage points along the riverbank near the Harbourage in Fort Frances.
    It was an absolutely breathtaking event!
    I am continually amazed by the effort put forth by such a small group of volunteers, considering the immensity of the task. Yet the display just keeps getting better year after year.
    Talk about dedication!
    Two years ago, I invited the Times to come down during the fireworks set-up and they took amazing pictures of the entire process and wrote a very informative article. From the feedback I received at the time, very few people knew what was involved and appreciated knowing who was involved year after year.
    The “who” are the following: Peter Palmer, Len and Betty Ann Larocque, Gordon and Carla Galbraith, Lee Oelke, Mary Caul, June Caul, Charlie Turgeon, Dave Coats, and your truly. During the clean-up, Ron Erb and Stan Zajac joined us.
    This is only my third year helping out and I’m still amaze how quickly it all takes shape—from the loading of the flatbed trailer at the town garage, then unloading it, to placing all the fireworks in the mortars, and wiring and covering them with tin foil, plastic, and duct tape.
    Wrapping ensures moisture doesn’t get in and that sparks don’t ignite when fired.
    A bobcat is needed to dump sand around the large mortars, and then shovelling and packing is needed due to the powerful force when fired. Then comes a final check to see that they all have been connected properly.
    After the display has ended, all stations are checked to make sure everything is safe and no sparks remain. The following day we return for the clean-up process.
    Everything is dismantled and reloaded to be returned to the town garage until the following year. Peter loads his truck with all of his equipment he brought along, which amounts to a great deal.
    The whole process takes three days.
    Knowing how much work is involved allows me the opportunity to share “the how” with others who either did not see the display or with those who did and were duly impressed. I don’t know how anyone could not be impressed.
    Fireworks have changed over the years. Gone are the days when they had to be fired manually. We would see one every 10 minutes, or so it felt.
    Now they are operated electronically, and with the press of a button, each charge is spaced three-five seconds apart—lighting up the sky and making the whole experience that much more exciting to watch.
    So, next year, I implore you to come on down to the shoreline and hear the boom and feel the vibrations and truly experience the full effect. It far exceeds what you see from your deck or above the trees at your house!
    The added features now include aquatics, which shoot under the water and then burst through the surface with spectacular colours. You need to be positioned to see the beauty and hear the effect.
    Our display this year was roughly 22 minutes—longer and more impressive than any previous one. In fact, I was told that someone had made the comment that this was better than what they had seen in Disney World—and I can believe it.
    We are very fortunate to have Peter Palmer supply us with the fireworks. He hails from Sundown, Man. and says he enjoys coming to Fort Frances. He has relatives here, as well, and says he likes working with the group.
    This year he brought along 30 percent more than in 2006—and 2008 promises to be even more spectacular!
    So, I have volunteered to head up the fundraising aspect as fireworks of this calibre do cost a great deal of money.
    I believe we made the town proud this year and I so look forward to hearing feedback and any suggestions anyone reading this may have to build up some funds for next year.
    Mega accolades to all involved! Once again, you made Fort Frances very proud. Thank you!
Signed,
Diane Maxey
Fort Frances, Ont.