• Article Photo. Mud and rain water made setting up the Boomtown fireworks displays a challenge again this year.
    Mud and rain water made setting up the Boomtown fireworks displays a challenge again this year.
  • Article Photo. The largest of the IPA shells were set up in the corner of the cornfield, away from the audience.
    The largest of the IPA shells were set up in the corner of the cornfield, away from the audience.
  • Article Photo. Chuck Yedlik sets up part of his display inside, away from the rain on Saturday.
    Chuck Yedlik sets up part of his display inside, away from the rain on Saturday.
  • Article Photo. Scott Anderson didn't let the mud stop him; he just moved his control table to a drier field.
    Scott Anderson didn't let the mud stop him; he just moved his control table to a drier field.

Mother Nature seemed to taunt the Iowa Pyrotechnic Association (IPA) members and other Boomtown organizers all weekend.

The weather was clear but windy on Friday evening, as KCRG-TV weatherman Joe Winters stood near the IPA set-up area and tried to predict when and how much it would rain on Saturday. 

It rained three times on the IPA members. The first shower came early Saturday morning. It did not affect much of the set-up, but it did muddy the dirt on the race track and pit area, making it difficult to walk. 

The second round of showers came in the afternoon, disturbing the set up of some of the displays, and making the ground even more muddier.

One of the casualties of the afternoon rain was a 30-foot-high waterfall display with a fish swimming across it. The ground became to water-soaked to allow the IPA members to finish setting it up. 

But after soaking the ground and the people trying to set up the fireworks show, the rain relented. 

The skies were partially clear when the IPA contest began, allowing the audience to see the moon behind the exploding shells. The ground was still muddy, but most of the display was computerized, allowing the IPA members to sit and run the show without too much traversing of mud. 

But as the audience left the show, they saw lightning in the west. More rain. 

Mother Nature had allowed the Boomtown show to proceed -- barely -- again.