|
900 W. Main St.,
PO Box 690 Grangeville, ID 83530
Phone: 208.983.1200 |
| |
|
 |
|
|
|
| Bigger bang for the buck |
|---|
| July 4 fireworks show improved by electronics |
|---|
 | | Free Press/David Rauzi | | When is the show?
Friday, July 4, 10 p.m., Grangeville High School football field. Bring your own seating, and no fireworks are allowed on the field.
The show is free but donations are accepted. T-shirts and 3-D glasses are available for purchase.
Who sponsors the show?
Check out the Friends of the Fireworks sponsorship board displayed in the Avista window on Main Street. |
|
By David Rauzi
GRANGEVILLE -- A bigger bang for their buck.
A better coordinated pyrotechnics display is in store for the annual Border Days Fourth of July fireworks presentation, thanks to an electronic mortar firing system ... and a generous community.
"We are set up for a more spectacular choreographed show," said Keith Laufenberg, fireworks fund-raising project manager for the Grangeville Volunteer Fire Department.
At a cost of nearly $3,800, the system is comprised of mortar tubes triggered through a circuit board. It requires specialized fireworks packages, which correspond to preprogrammed patterns, that are already combined to provide displays from a red-white-and-blue effect to bursts-within-bursts patterns.
Mortar launching is streamlined through the system which otherwise would be done manually, tube by tube.
"This takes more time to set up, around three to four hours," he said, "but after it's set up one or two guys can do the whole display. It would be eight to 12 guys otherwise."
Plans were to be on the electronic firing system by the 100th anniversary of Border Days in 2011, according to Laufenberg. Helping to accelerate that timeline was the generosity of donors who, "gave and gave," he said.
Last year they called for $100 sponsors to help with the project. Normally they have six to eight of these donation amounts a year, but this time they had 33 respond, "so we decided to purchase this now," Laufenberg said.
Spectators should see an improvement in the show, which should still run around 30 minutes, but behind-the-scenes benefits are safety and ease-of-use for the firefighters who -- literally -- run the operation.
Normally a crew of firefighters dressed in full turnout gear would manually light and drop a mortar -- ranging from three to six inches -- in each tube steadily throughout the half-hour show. It's not an easy task, noted Laufenberg, that leaves the crew drenched in sweat when they're done. A mistake in the process, mainly placing a mortar upside down in the tube, can result in a low-level discharge about three to four feet off the ground.
"With this system it will be a lot safer," he said, "and that is a big plus."
This system is expandable, allowing for additional mortar tube banks, and has the option to be choreographed with music, which the department plans to implement later on. They will also be looking to purchase a van to contain and transport the system.
Laufenberg noted the department's thanks to the Spencer Ranch for allowing use of their field for mortar launching, and also the general public who for the last five to six years has provided enough in sponsorships and donations to put them one year ahead.
"It's only because of the vast sponsorship out there that we can continue to do this," he said. "They give and give and give."
|
| Go to top. |
| Click here to Subscribe |
|
|