• Article Photo. IPA members watch the explosion of a shell made by an Iowa pyrotechnic.
    IPA members watch the explosion of a shell made by an Iowa pyrotechnic.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo. Kids had a chance to light some fireworks displays.
    Kids had a chance to light some fireworks displays.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo. Skylights, fireworks (and even a large kite) filled the sky above Bar-Y during the IPA gathering.
    Skylights, fireworks (and even a large kite) filled the sky above Bar-Y during the IPA gathering.
  • Article Photo. A skylight rises above the Bar-Y.
    A skylight rises above the Bar-Y.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo. Fireworks and sky lanterns light up the sky above the Yedlik farm northeast of Vinton Saturday.
    Fireworks and sky lanterns light up the sky above the Yedlik farm northeast of Vinton Saturday.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo. A large kite hovers 1,000 feet above the Bar-Y during the IPA meeting Saturday.
    A large kite hovers 1,000 feet above the Bar-Y during the IPA meeting Saturday.
  • Article Photo. IPA member Mike Russell used a drill to reel in the kite.
    IPA member Mike Russell used a drill to reel in the kite.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo.
  • Article Photo. IPA members gathered at Chuck Yedlik's place for their annual Memorial Day weekend event.
    IPA members gathered at Chuck Yedlik's place for their annual Memorial Day weekend event.

Like they have done a few times each year since 2006, the members of the Iowa Pyrotechnic Association gathered at the farm of Chuck and Marilyn Yedlik in rural Vinton. 

The group that puts the "Boom" in Boomtown did this past weekend what they do every time they get together: They build fireworks. They light fireworks. They take care of the business of their organization. Then, they do more fireworks. 

On Saturday evening, the members displayed their latest projects. Some of them have been building their own fireworks for years, while others saw their own projects light up overhead for the very first time.

There was even a large kite hovering above, 1,000 feet above the ground. Kite enthusiast Mike Russell of rural Manchester had that 9-foot-wide kite attached to a heavy string anchored to his call. The three flashing, battery-powered lights could be seen from the ground after dark. Russell said he has flown kites as high as 3,500 feet, which is said is nearly 10,000 feet lower than the record for kite flying. 

Events like these help the members to see how well their fireworks building skills are improving. And while they have their minds on Boomtown, they are more focused on an event that takes place earlier in August: The Pyrotechnics Guild International (PGI) Convention, where many of them will compete in fireworks building contests. 

Boomtown takes place in Vinton Aug. 24-25; the PGI convention takes place a week earlier, Aug. 17-18, in LaPorte, Indiana.