Winterblast: Don’t Miss The “Sorcery In The Sky”

By Grace Usher

The 29th Winterblast Pyrotechnics show sponsored by the Western Pyrotechnic Association is today, Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. The show will feature hundreds of pieces of pyrotechnics. There will also be special talks from professional pyrotechnic artists, class C fireworks for sale, and a behind-the-scenes look at the manufacturing of pyrotechnics.

Much time and effort goes into the manufacturing of a “firework.” Precision, wisdom, and passion are keys to a successful blast.

Chris Kolina of Sacramento, Calif., has been a pyrotechnic enthusiast since a young age.

Chris Molina makes fountains out of cones Thursday morning. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

“I remember my dad coming home with the pink box filled with fireworks. Now, I am a hobbyist for pyrotechnics.

“Today, I am making fountains out of cones. The biggest one I’ll make will be about 2 pounds. A large one takes me about two hours to make,” said Kolina.

Cliff Pearson of Santa Cruz, Calif., is making spherical 6-inch shells for their display. He takes two half-spheres and fills them with “stars.”

“Stars are the round granules that you see produce light in the sky. I line the edge [of the sphere] with them and pack them in with burst charge which is fine black powder with empty rice hulls. I’m making 18 [shells] for the event,” said Pearson.

Husband and wife team, Mike and Donna Eyring, hail from Phoenix. Mike has been making fireworks since he was 8 years old.

Mike Eyring builds a rocket Thursday morning at Winterblast. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

For Winterblast, the two are making rockets. Donna works on the stars while Mike fills the empty rocket shells.

“This is called a 1-pound rocket because it will lift 1 pound. One end is a tapered nozzle and we fill it up to the buckhead with black powder and stick godsticks into it. It takes about an hour to make one” said Mike Eyring.

The event is at SARA Park and the fireworks displays begin around 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5/person. Parking is $5/passenger vehicle.

Please remember to keep your pets indoors this weekend at show time so they aren’t scared from the fireworks. Also, beach chairs are allowed into the event to sit in next to the grandstands.

For more information, please visit: Winterblast Event Page