| LAKE FARLEY PARK MILBANK, SD FIREWORKS SHOW |
| A view of the lake from the crowds angle. You can see the set up in the distance as well as the American Flag donated by Milbank Lumber and built by several members of the Milbank Fire Department. |
| Another view behind some of the spectators waiting for the sun to go down. The crowd will wrap around 1/2 of the lake and crowds have been estimated around 5 to 6,000 people in this town of 3,000. |
| There is a railroad bridge that we use to position a 100 ft waterfall (shown as the silver tubes). Once lit, it rains a shower of gold sparks that reflects off the water for about 2 minutes. Also, in the background are a couple of mortars and two cakes(multi-effect items) that will fire when it is appropriate in the song. |
| THE MILBANK SHOW IS CHOREOGRAPHED AND SEQUENCED ON A SCRIPT TO FIRE WHEN PROMPTED FROM AN ELECTRONIC FIRING BOARD. EVERY SHELL, CANDLE AND CAKE IS NUMBERED TO FIRE BY THE SECOND IT IS DETERMINED. THE SHOW TYPICALLY WILL LAST 17 TO 25 MINUTES DEPENDING ON THE GENEROSITY OF THE SPONSORS WHO PAY FOR THE SHOW. TAKE A LOOK BELOW TO SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE BEFORE THE SHOW BEGINS! |
| A close up of the flag set with red, white and blue lances and quick-matched to light in a split second. |
There is an assortment of cakes, candles and shells lined all along the edge of the lake. The
effect we are looking for here is called a "front", where it looks like there is a "wall of fire"
when I want to create an effect during a certain part of the show.
effect we are looking for here is called a "front", where it looks like there is a "wall of fire"
when I want to create an effect during a certain part of the show.
| Here is a closer shot of the cakes (box shaped) that will produce the multi-effect, low level show. The mortars in racks are in the background loaded and squibbed to fire. They will produce the single(or multiple) shots as scripted to music. |
| A view of the racks and some candles ready for the show. The entire perimeter of the other side of the lake is the viewpoint of the show. |
Another view of the main shell launching area. There is an assortment of racks that will
contain 3", 4", 5" or 6" mortars. A 6" mortar is the largest shell allowed to be in a rack.
Notice all the wires which are then connected to rails or modules. From there, the cables
run to the firing board that we use to tell each shell or cake when to fire.
contain 3", 4", 5" or 6" mortars. A 6" mortar is the largest shell allowed to be in a rack.
Notice all the wires which are then connected to rails or modules. From there, the cables
run to the firing board that we use to tell each shell or cake when to fire.
Here is a view of the train bridge with waterfall in the background, the racks with shells
loaded, and in front are the 10" and 12" mortars which have been buried in the ground for
safety. The 12" tube in the lower right corner is the largest shell we shoot. There are
typically 4 to 7 of these "twelves" shot per show. There are even more of the "tens" shot.
You will know it when you see it!!!
loaded, and in front are the 10" and 12" mortars which have been buried in the ground for
safety. The 12" tube in the lower right corner is the largest shell we shoot. There are
typically 4 to 7 of these "twelves" shot per show. There are even more of the "tens" shot.
You will know it when you see it!!!
A wider view of the buried mortars and racks.
These photos are courtesy of Father Odilo Burkhardt. This is the first time in my 10
years of hosting a show that I have actually seen what it looks like from the crowd. My
head is typically face down into the show script keeping the shells and cakes firing as they
are intended to the music. The sad part to this, I never really get to see the show!!!
I am always looking for more pics! Any takers???? Thank you Fr. Odilo!!
years of hosting a show that I have actually seen what it looks like from the crowd. My
head is typically face down into the show script keeping the shells and cakes firing as they
are intended to the music. The sad part to this, I never really get to see the show!!!
I am always looking for more pics! Any takers???? Thank you Fr. Odilo!!
Another shot from the crowd. Some low level cakes in red with a 4" or 5" peony shell firing
over the top.
over the top.
A picture of some low level items underneath a barrage of red crossettes and peony's.
Notice the "puffs" of smoke off to the left of the red barrage....those are what's left
of the 3" salutes (or big boomers) that fired in sequence.
Notice the "puffs" of smoke off to the left of the red barrage....those are what's left
of the 3" salutes (or big boomers) that fired in sequence.
Above is a sample of the script from the Milbank Fireworks Show from one of the songs I
used called Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue. As you can see, there isn't much time
between shots. Everything on this script is identified on our firing board by "pin" number.
I have the description of what is going to happen off to the right. The size and type of
ordinance will determine when it needs to be punctuated in the song. The words to the
left are there for me to use in case our timing clock is off compared to the music on the
radio. Sounds pretty sophisticated, huh??? Actually it isn't, but my eyes are constantly
on the script and therefore I never really get to see the show. There is ALOT of time
during the weekends that go into creating this script to make sure it lines up with the
song and the crowds anticipation. Again, video and pictures are welcome!!! It will only help
me create a better show next year!!!----Mark Popowski
used called Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue. As you can see, there isn't much time
between shots. Everything on this script is identified on our firing board by "pin" number.
I have the description of what is going to happen off to the right. The size and type of
ordinance will determine when it needs to be punctuated in the song. The words to the
left are there for me to use in case our timing clock is off compared to the music on the
radio. Sounds pretty sophisticated, huh??? Actually it isn't, but my eyes are constantly
on the script and therefore I never really get to see the show. There is ALOT of time
during the weekends that go into creating this script to make sure it lines up with the
song and the crowds anticipation. Again, video and pictures are welcome!!! It will only help
me create a better show next year!!!----Mark Popowski