WATSONTOWN — The upper Northumberland County town's fireworks display tonight is possible largely because its Borough Council closed the community swimming pool, freeing up funds for other recreational activities.
The controversial decision not to open the Watsontown swimming pool was made with the understanding that the borough could find other ways, such as the $6,000 fireworks display, that would give more bang for the buck, by providing enjoyment for more residents, said Harry Hefty, event chairman.
Watsontown and New Berlin are two Valley communities whose fireworks shows tonight will be produced by Hot Shots Pyrotechnics, based in Allenwood.
Mike Sheets, of Hot Shots Pyrotechnics, said each show will last about 22 minutes and the largest explosions will come from 12-inch mortars that shoot fireworks 1,200 feet into the air.
Sheets said he choreographs each show on his home computer.
Plotting out a typical pyrotechnic display will take about five hours, with each show tailored for the event, he said.
The shows in Watsontown and New Berlin require five-man crews.
Another fireworks show is set for 10:15 tonight in Mifflinburg.
Hall Solomon, of Mifflinburg, has set off the fireworks at the town's annual Fourth of July celebration for about 45 years.
This year, he will be setting off about $4,000 in fireworks. That includes more than 2,000 small firecrackers and more than 100 larger mortar rocket shells, aimed for higher altitudes.
"My interest in doing this came out of a sense of community pride," he said. "All those years ago, I worked with the local fire department in putting together the show. Then, when others took over the running of it, I continued on. Now, I oversee the exhibition. We have a crew of 10 who do all the afternoon setups."
Solomon, who served 37 years as Mifflinburg police chief and four years as mayor, stores the rockets and firecrackers in boxes, piled high in his garage.
"Right after the music stops, we'll start the fireworks show," Solomon said.
The show runs like a symphony, building to an explosive ending. But Solomon insists that he doesn't have a preset idea of when to set off certain rockets.
"We'll arrange them in a zig-zag pattern," he said. "And when I feel the time is right, we'll set them off."
Helping him is his crew, including relatives.
They're not as famous as the Grucci's of New York, but Solomon's daughter, granddaughter and great-grandson, Bon Styers, 7, will help.
Bon says he hopes someday to help set off the fireworks, just like his great-grandfather.
The Mifflinburg show is expected to last 25 minutes.
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