August 10, 2007 – Fargo, North Dakota, the site of the 2007 convention of the Pyrotechnics Guild International, billed as Fargo Firestorm – 2007.
I am pleased to report that great things happen at these events, and I have drunk the Kool-Aid and I like it; so much so, that this year I was joined by a high school friend, his wife (also a high school friend), and their three children (two boys (11 and 13) and one girl (18)). Not only did the PGI membership increase by five but, without exception, we all agreed to meet again in Gillette, Wyoming, for the PGI’s 2008 convention.
One only needs to spend a day at the trade show to find convincing proof that the passion for all things pyrotechnic has not abated under the restrictive regulatory environment that presently prevails. To the contrary, each year seemingly produces ever more interesting and entertaining products for the ordinary fireworks consumer and amateur hobbyist alike; in fact, I was told that PGI members were lined up to purchase items from the chemical tent, evincing a strong desire to continue the traditions of fabricating fireworks for personal use and enjoyment.
Due to a poorly-timed deluge on Wednesday evening, the scheduled competitions and displays had to be pushed back to Thursday evening, the scheduled rain date. The wait was well worth it. While I had the good fortune to be invited to join other members in the ‘front row’, the evening’s fireworks were no less spectacular for those in the grandstands. Most impressive was the marvelous display presented by the Junior Pyrotechnics Association; where were these groups when I was a youngster? Kids rule, and needless to say, my friends’ children were in awe of all the displays and were anxious to get the opportunity to shoot some Class C fireworks later that evening.
Since I am a trial lawyer, the events of Friday night could not leave me speechless; instead, I was readily reminded of the masthead from the American Fireworks News: He Who Hath Smelt The Smoke Is Ne’er Again Free. Kidding aside, the evening’s competitions and displays were pure magic. Each display was impressive and inspiring in its own way; indeed, one particular display was fired with only shells that had been fabricated during the Convention.
I can safely say that the PGI is only organization that is formed of a membership whose singular objective is to both teach other members the skills and artistry of fireworks, and to entertain other members and the general public, as well. The camaraderie fostered by the PGI’s programs only serves to fuel the passion and commitment of the PGI membership and, as a result, the general public continues to reap the rewards of the PGI’s efforts.
