News : Best in the World: Boomtown includes winners of international fireworks events

How fireworks arrive at the Boomtown site; Bar-Y crews and other IPA members have begun work.

These shower trailers for the Firefighter's Convention will block some of the view.

While many people who organize local events like to brag that their show is "the best in the world," in the case of Boomtown this year, it's a fact.

The very last display planned for Saturday night's finale is a reproduction of the show that Iowa Pyrotechnic Association (IPA) members from all over Iowa including Vinton helped create for the 2012 Pyrotechnics Guild International convention in Pennsylvania.

The IPA was one of three groups to compete in what the PGI called the "Battle of the Bands."

IPA President Chuck Yedlik of Vinton, the owner of Bar-Y Pyros and one of the original Boomtown organizers, explains.

"They chose three groups for the 'Battle of the Bands,'" said Yedlik. "They gave us an equal amount of money and told us to choreograph fireworks with a song.

While the other two competitors put on great shows, says Yedlik, the PGI audience indicated by their applause that the IPA show was by far their favorite.

The IPA plans to recreated that 2012 show exactly as it did in 2012.

Seven top awards for Scott Anderson

Area IPA member Scott Anderson of rural Brandon, a long-time fireworks creator and past IPA president, came back from the 2013 PGI Convention with seven awards for the projects he made, including four first place and three second place honors.

Some of Anderson's work, along with a variety of fireworks created by other IPA members, will be on display before the grand finale Saturday night.

IFA Convention restroom trailer issue

Two semi trailers containing shower facilities have been set up and connected to the Benton County Fairgrounds water and sewage systems. The trailers are side-by-side just north of the grandstands, where they will block the view of a portion of the green space where audience members usually sit to watch the show.

Some Vinton Today readers have complained about the trailers in comments posted on stories on this site, and the topic came up at the Vinton City Council meeting on Thursday.

Council member Tami Stark told the council that IFA Convention organizers had told her that because the trailer utilities have been hooked up, they will not be moved. Local firemen have offered to move their fire trucks from there usual parking space to allow more space for spectators.

Tentative schedule

While there is still some finalization of plans, the Saturday night part of the event will include the following:

7:00 PM – performance by the North Linn High School Garbage Can Band.

7:30 – Flag presentation by Marine Corps League, flag raising and retirement by Marine Corps. (Along with 'Rocket’s Red Glare and Bombs Bursting in Air' by the Iowa Pyrotechnic Association.)

7:45 – 21-gun salute to deceased IPA members and those that gave their lives for our country.

8:00 – Members Showcase – Handcrafted fireworks by IPA members. (one at a time devices.)

8:45 – IPA’s Junior Pyro’s Display.

9:00 – IPA style train wreak – our version of Head-on Joe Connolly’s train wreaks from 100 years ago.

Break

9:30 - Grand Public Display, finally ending the evening with TNT Dynamite (the 'Best of Bands' winner).

"If you hear the music, we’re not loud enough," is the IPA theme for this part of the show.