For the week of June 25 - July 1, 2003

Hailey ready to rock for July 4 celebration

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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.

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.