Plenty of work happens behind the scenes of a fireworks display long before the oohs and ahs begin.
This item is available in full to subscribers.
To continue reading, you will need to either log in to your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account and connect your subscription to it by clicking here.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active, online-only subscription then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
ROCHELLE — Plenty of work happens behind the scenes of a fireworks display long before the oohs and ahs begin.
Preparations for Wednesday evening’s show in Rochelle started on Sunday and involved the teamwork of the Rochelle Fire Department, Street Department, Rochelle Municipal Utilities, City Hall, and the Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District.
“The total show took 276 labor hours to set up, fire, and tear down,” said Jeremy Good, Rochelle Fire Dept. “That does not include planning, class time, or ordering the show.”
During the nearly 25 minutes there were 1,304 shells fired.
Officials made the decision to start the show 30 minutes ahead of schedule due to lightning in the area.
“That pushed the set up forward…we wired the last shell about four minutes prior to show time,” Good added.
In fact, Good explained a little geometry came in handy for the display.
“Five-inch V racks were built on site at precisely 29 degree angles and placed exactly 250 feet apart to ensure that the shells crossed and exploded at the same time and height in the air.”
