Several new types of fireworks will be used in Seattle’s Fourth of July fireworks show that have not been displayed in Seattle before.
Bob Gobet, the founder of Western Display Fireworks, showed KIRO 7 the 9,000 pounds of fireworks being prepared on a barge in the middle of Lake Union.
Gobet said one new type of firework launches close to the barge and floats on the water.
“You’re going to see the water turn red, 180 shots of red. But after it turns red, there will be red comets that leave the water,” Gobet said.
There is another new display called the “sweeper shell” that Gobet said he had not even seen before.
Gobet told KIRO 7 he’s looking forward to the finale, which he said is particularly “aggressive” this year to accompany the final song.
The playlist ranges from Ellie Goulding to Johnny Cash.
Gobet is particularly proud of this year’s show, because after three decades, he has passed the family business onto his daughter.
“She’s choreographed it, picked every item for every second that happens during this,” he said.
The fireworks are set up in different zones, lined up at 45-degree angles.
Michael Griffin, who is working this Seattle show for his second year, said he watched the planning from the start.
“Our computer program has the songs on it that are going to be played. And every note, a firework goes off, pretty much,” he said.
Griffin showed KIRO 7 all the wires connected to each shell, all controlled digitally over wifi.
The fireworks industry is heavily regulated for safety, and Gobet said even something like a shift in the wind could affect their show. He said stopping or changing a show would be unpopular, but he’d rather be safe.
Even with these concerns, Gobet said “when the show’s done right, it’s successful - the cheers from the crowd,” make it all worth it.
KIRO 7 will be airing Seafair events all day including the fireworks show, which begins at 10:10pm. It will also be streaming online at kirotv.com.
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