Behind the scene at the July 4th fireworks at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum



 

Fireworks lined up at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum.  Photo by Yijie Liu for Intersections.

Fireworks lined up at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum. Photo by Yijie Liu for Intersections.

Around 9 a.m. July 3rd, a crew from Pyro Spectaculars arrived at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and started preparation for the 11th Annual Fourth of July Fireworks Extravaganza. The 52 minute show will be one of the longest displays in the nation and the largest free 4th of July fireworks in Los Angeles.

The significant show takes 14 crew members and two full days to set up. Over 1,300 aerial devices and about 30 low level devices will be fired. Many of them shoot 600 feet in the air, allowing audiences to see them from far away. The fireworks motors are contained with wooden racks and secured with wooden cleats to prevent tipping.  All the devices are connected to electronic firing equipment operated by the crew.

Pyro Spectaculars has performed countless firework shows. This year, the company is responsible for 500 shows across the U.S. on July 4th, including the Macy’s display in New York.

“Safety is a big concern of the company,” said Michael Tockstein, a licensed Pyrotechnician from Pyro Spectaculars. “Fire suppression equipment is installed on site. During the display, audiences are not allowed within 500 feet from the firing site. The crew will be at least 100 feet away and fire shots electronically.”

Michael Tockstein, a pyrotechnician, working on the fireworks display at the LA Coliseum.  Photo by Yijie Liu for Intersections

Michael Tockstein, a pyrotechnician, working on the fireworks display at the LA Coliseum. Photo by Yijie Liu for Intersections

Tockstein is also a member of the community and a USC alumnus. “I have been doing fireworks for 13 years. It is a lot of labor and hard work, but it is rewarding to watch the fireworks go off and hear the audiences cheer.”

The fireworks are also choreographed to music, including popular songs like Rihana’s Diamonds starting at 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 4th. Food stalls, activities for kids and live entertainment will begin at 12pm. Pack your picnic baskets, invite your family and friends, and don’t miss out on this grand celebration we have been waiting for a year.

For more information, go to lacoliseumlive.com.

Fireworks lined up at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum.  Photo by Yijie Liu.

Fireworks lined up at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum. Photo by Yijie Liu.

 

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