I helped set off a $15000 firework show. It was sweeeeet.
We set up rows of PVC tubes in racks, then dropped 5", 4", and 3" shells into the tubes. There were 4 lighters, who went down the line with a flare on a 10' stick and lit the shells one by one. I acted as a spotted, staying behind the lighters to make sure they didn't catch on fire from all the debris falling on us from the fireworks.
Every shell has a charge that goes off on the ground to launch, and a charge to set off the firework in the air. The one on the ground resonates incredibly from 10' away, you feel it through your whole body. It's simply amazing.
I get to light the fireworks next year. Needless to say, I won't be playing with little bottle rockets again.
