As the audience applauded the home-made fireworks created by his colleagues in the Iowa Pyrotechnic Association, announcer Tom Pingenot told them something that many IPA members have discovered in the past few years.
“You, too, can build something like that,” said Pingenot.
The annual Boomtown finale drew thousands to Vinton on Saturday – so many that parking crews had to turn away vehicles from the full fairgrounds. Along with filling the grandstand and the front of the track, spectators gathered outside the grandstands and in yards and parking lots throughout the surrounding area to get a good view of the show.
Earlier in August, several IPA members earned first-place trophies in fireworks-building at the Pyrotechnics Guild International convention in Wyoming. Scott Anderson of rural Brandon earned his second straight Grand Master award, while his nephew and grandson also brought home first-place trophies.
“This is the best thing Vinton can do,” said new IPA member Bob DuCharme, who adds that he hopes to attend fireworks-building classes in the near future.
Before and after the fireworks, the band Crazy Delicious performed, and vendors offered a variety of food and fireworks-related items, including lighted headgear and even glow-in-the-dark cotton candy sticks.
Weather was an issue for the IPA, not on Saturday, when the skies were cloudy but dry, but on Friday, when heavy rain fell steadily as crews began to prepare for the shows.
The IPA is always welcoming new members. The membership fee is just $25 per family annually, and includes many free sessions on fireworks building, safety and other related topics. See the IPA web site for more information.
See more photos HERE.
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