Fun Facts
About Springfield's Fireworks
by Grucci

Interesting facts from Grucci:

The Star-Spangled Springfield fireworks show is a state-of-the-art National Class fireworks program. The program is electronically fired from a computer-generated script featuring choreography between the music and fireworks.

  • The number of days to set up: 4
  • The number of pyrotechnicians: 6
  • The number of hours to choreograph: 28 1/2
  • The number of man hours to set up: 240
  • The number of firing batteries: 22
  • The number of firing cues: 432
  • The largest firing gun: 6 inch
  • Tons of sand necessary to fill firing batteries: 22
  • Miles of wire to circuit firing batteries: 25
  • The lumber necessary for set up is equivalent to what is used to side an average family house.
  • Five primary colors of the fireworks rainbow are:
    1. Red – made from compounds of strontium
    2. White – made from compounds of magnesium
    3. Blue – made from compounds of copper
    4. Green – made from compounds of barium
    5. Yellow – made from compounds of sodium

Designer shells are from the United States, Australia, Canada, China, France, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Spain, and Taiwan.

How fireworks shells are made:

Paper forms the case for most shells and the visual effect desired determines its shape: cylindrical or spherical. All are fired from guns using a quick match fuse to light the time delay fuse and the black powder lift charge. Size of shells range from 3” to 12” in diameter.

A Guide to Fireworks:

  • Split Comet – Sparkling, the comets split to create a golden Milky Way effect
  • Willow – Like a weeping willow tree, long trails of color fall slowly earthward.
  • Palm Tree – The shell leaves a trail as it goes up, forming the tree trunk. Reaching its apex, the shell bursts open, revealing the leaves of the palm.
  • Chrysanthemum – Perfect, symmetrically round breaks forming the shape of a flower.
  • Salute – Flash of bright light and a loud BOOM.

Audience Viewing Firework Etiquette:

  1. Obey police, respect public and private property
  2. Bring chairs, blankets, and most importantly, bring your manners
  3. Bring a litter bag to clean up and take home your own refuse.
  4. Remember, first in, last out, so wait patiently for your turn and drive carefully.
  5. Don’t bring any of your own fireworks – they are illegal and very dangerous. Just sit back and enjoy Grucci’s fireworks.