Hailey ready to rock for July 4
celebration
By MATT FURBER
Express Staff Writer
In what promises to be the
"best fireworks ever," the Hailey Chamber of Commerce has prepared a
celebration that will be launched from the undeveloped subdivision called Hidden
Meadows, north of Quigley Road.
"It is on one of the
highest and safest places in town," said Assistant Fire Chief Carl Hjelm.
"A safe area (is determined) relative to the size of the shells being
launched."
A safety radius of 700 feet
is required around the pyrotechnics launch site. The old launch site is now too
close to the new high school building.
This year 3,765 shells are
scheduled for launching at the annual show that was reinvigorated several years
ago by actor Bruce Willis.
"Willis brought the
fireworks back about five or six years ago," said Hailey councilman Rick
Davis who is also part of the chamber planning committee. "Fireworks West
International made three trips up here (from Logan, UT) to talk about the
presentation."
The company has designed a
show that will allow people to see the whole thing from the comfort of their own
yards.
They were also the best deal
of the four proposals presented to the chamber. The $20,000 cost is about the
same as last year, but the offer will be more spectacular.
"They guarantee each
shell," said Davis.
"Once we know the budget
and the limitations of the site we decide on the altitude," said Fireworks
West designer Brett Swenson. "Then we decide what’s going to go in the
shell."
The show is going to be
choreographed to music being played on local radio stations, said Davis.
Shells ranging in size from
1.5 to 10 inches in diameter will be used to carry the display as high as 100
feet.
The transportation of more
than 3,000 explosives takes special care these days. Fireworks West is highly
regulated by the ATF, DOT and the FBI.
"They have talked to us
about security, especially in regard to our plant," said Swenson. "We
have to be tremendously careful about our (driving) routes and delivery
schedules."
All the drivers are licensed
with hazard endorsements but once the ordinance reaches Hailey, the city will be
responsible for safety and security, said Swenson.
"Our guys are looking to
put on a good production in Hailey," he added.
The main sponsor for this
year’s fireworks is Wood River Insurance with added help from more than a
dozen "boosters." Some funds being collected from donation cans
located throughout the valley.