Every Fourth of July. our small town hosts the most spectacular fireworks show in the area.
It is planned, organized, designed, built, and set off by a volunteer group of local men known as the Pyro Crew.
This year the fireworks show was moved from it’s old location in the City Park to the brand new ballfields, which meant that the show could be even bigger, louder, and that even more people could watch it from the surrounding soccer fields and hillsides.
Because I am a very serious blogger and am also practically dripping with investigative reporting skills, I went down to the ballfields on the morning of the Fourth to interview the guys about the process of being a member of the Pyro Crew.
They told me a lot of things about all the planning…
and the organizing…
and the technical difficulties…
and the paperwork…
But mostly…
I just noticed how cool their shirts were.
And it made me want to be a part of the Pyro Crew so that I could have a Pyro Crew shirt.
But I don’t think they are going to let me join them.
Because after talking with them for quite a while… all I really remember is this one little detail…
The Pyro Crew uses pipes like the one pictured above to light the fuses on the firework thingys…
I asked them how long they had after they lit the fuse to get away.
They told me you have about one second.
Then they said…
You don’t get away….
You just try and duck down a little bit…
After that I decided that I don’t really want to be on the Pyro Crew after all.
But that is okay…
Because the world of investigative journalism needs me much more.
You are so good at investigating!!! LOL I bet they do a great job – usually people who volunteer to do somthing ejoy it and do a great job!!
You are so good at investigating!!! LOL I bet they do a great job – usually people who volunteer to do somthing ejoy it and do a great job!!
If they marketed those Pyro Crew shirts, they’d make a ton of money. I’d buy one for my husband – we currently have TWO burn piles on our property…….
I love reading your blog!
SB
Great coverage, how was the event? I slept through most of the fireworks near here. The court out in front looks like a war zone. I wish people would pick up their junk when they finish. Oh well. MUD
I see a Pulitzer in your future! You were allowed into the inner sanctum of the boys’ world. Kudos to you!
Why thank you, you little cub reporter, you.
I have never seen all those big, bad boys up close.
The fireworks, I mean.
I think MM and Tim would love you forever if you sent them some of those pyro shirts.
I love the slogan.
And the picture of the big boys (the humans) glaring at you.
About those shirts.
Get on it.
I have two grown boys who would love one.
Those shirts are awesome and yeah forget that lighting job…way too scary for me…it looks like everyone still has their limbs though.
Your journalling is much better than my local newspaper. You obviously use spell-check.
Those shirts are very cool, you could probably pick one up in a thrift store on a really lucky day.
Wish I could Donna, I have four boys who would love one, but the Pyro Crew is not for sale.
Wish I could Donna, I have four boys who would love one, but the Pyro Crew is not for sale.
Rechelle,
I found some on line and they even have the same tagline.
They are not the fun neon color…but they are avaliable if you google a bit :o)
No Way! Oh that is just wrong!
I love the T-shirt caption in the first shot!!!
Those shirts rock! You need them for your boys next summer…just for around the house, you know.
It also appeared to be a “Boys Only” club from your pictures. The picture that you have posted above your question about joining: they might as well have been holding a hand-painted sign that reads “No Gurlz Alowed!”
I saw that long pipe and long fuse and thought, “I could do that.” Then you said they had 1 second. Certainly can’t do that!
I love the t … they need to sell it ….
Mud – You need to move to Country Club Circle in Wamego… my father-in-law makes the kids and grandkids pick up everything the night of the 4th, then go out the next day, in the hot sun and humidity, and pick up every eensy, weensy bit and scrap of fireworks… not only in the court, but in the surrounding neighbor’s yards. My husband even had the shop vac out in the middle of the street!
Try Pyronovelties.com for the shirts.
For the ‘Boys Club’ folks, I am a professional pyrotechnician and usually at least 1/3 to 1/2 of my crew on any given show is female.
I know several women who are also licensed pyrotechnicians and two of my three daughters are considering getting their licenses – after years of helping dad on his shows.
Plenty of girls allowed!