Two tonnes of fireworks to go BOOM in Whangarei

BOOM: The annual Whangarei Lion's Club Fireworks Spectacular is back again with $25,000 worth of fireworks going off.

A whopping two tonnes of fireworks will explode in the sky above Whangarei this weekend with some going 130 metres into the air.

The annual Whangarei Lion's Club Fireworks Spectacular is back again tomorrow and $25,000 of pyrotechnics will be lighting up the sky.

Fireworks committee chairman Merv Williams said over the years the event helped distribute significant funds back into the community.

"Its excellent, it's a great display. Last year we had about 10,000 people along," he said.

A spokesman for Auckland company Boom Boom Fireworks, who put on the show, said there were 2000kg covering a range of different types of fireworks.

"All the products in this year's show are new and have not been seen in previous years," he said.

The spokesman said a selection of fireworks would be used with a range of effects including crossettes, a comet which splits into two at the highest point of its launch; dragon eggs, a gold or silver breaking effect that ends in crackles or strobes; waterfalls, a cascade of silver sparks; and comets, a star or other projectile which leaves a glittering trail behind it.

The impressive display will be ignited with electric matches connected to a wireless firing system.

Matches are inserted into the ignitable part of the fireworks with the other end going into a firing system receiver module. The wires firing system transmitter sends a signal to that receiver module telling it to activate each individual match.

The spokesman said the most spectacular fireworks were the fast-paced multi-shot cakes - 300 individual shots in eight seconds, and the brocade waterfall star shells which are fired about 130m high and then burst open into a cascading waterfall of sparkling stars.

Mr Williams said the gates to the show at Toll Stadium would open at 6pm with the display beginning about 8.40pm. Entry is $10 a person or $25 for a family of two adults and two children or one adult and three children.

"There will dancers, some music, trailer rides, a bouncy castle, face painting and plenty of food to fill your face," he said.

Meanwhile with fireworks going on sale on Wednesdaypolice and the New Zealand Fire Service are asking punters to enjoy fireworks in a safe and responsible way.

Safety tips from the NZ Fire Service:
Lighting your fireworks

● Read the instructions and follow them.
● Light your fireworks in a wide-open area. Keep away from anything that could catch fire
● Fireworks and alcohol/drugs are a dangerous combination.
● Always let an adult light the fireworks. Keep a bucket of water or a hose handy.
● Keep all unlit fireworks in their box or bag until you are ready to light them.
● Leave dud fireworks alone. Trying to relight them is unsafe.
● If you do get burned, hold your burn under running water for 20 minutes.

Think about others

● Put away the fireworks after 10.30pm.
● Keep your pets inside on Guy Fawkes Night.
● Point fireworks at the stars, not at your mates.