Pyrotechnic Experts Explain Fireworks
Sandra Sansoni introduced Shannon Martin, who has been shooting the Pismo Beach Fireworks show since 1979; who has traveled afar in the
In addition to Anderson and Keenan, Martin, who has been doing this kind of work for thirty years, commands a team of 15-20 volunteers to help him set up the fireworks shoot and the shoot itself. The volunteers get a flashy t shirt and a BBQ after the show. The show, including various city fees, costs about $25,000; collected and paid by the Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Rocket fuel socks/charges are inserted into 3-4 inch tubes that are nailed to the pier floor at various angles to get the best height and results. Fuses are lit by hand using safety flares. They use 900 tubes and with multi shoots, they get off about a 1000 shots to entertain the throngs of people that line the beach and watch from afar. It takes about three hours to set up the shoot and about an hour to take it down and clean up.
This excellent presentation was supported by a power point show of the shoot set up and works; and the spectacular bursts in the sky and over the ocean. A great thanks to Martin, Anderson and Keenan!