LAKE KEYSTONE FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS
The Lake Keystone July 4th fireworks show was started in 1999 and has become an annual tradition and major Keystone event – yet few know how it started and who sustains it. Two moms thought it would be appropriate if their two pr***en sons would spend some holiday time with their dads – that was on July 4th, 1999. Susan Wendt and Laura Metzer sent husbands A
lan Wendt and Steve Metzer off with the boys to look inside a fireworks tent and get something to liven up their backyard lakeside celebration – doesn’t everyone do this at least once? That was the beginning of the Lake Keystone fireworks as seen from Wendt’s lakeside on Solie Road. Six months later, the Solie Road site experimented with more fireworks on New Year’s Eve 2000 and by July 4th 2000, the team launched the first barge display. The early prototype was a humble 4’x8’ plywood deck fastened to styrofoam floats still using conventional fuses, (light’em and run), and the fuses got longer and somewhat surprising in duration. By 2006, the Metzer’s had moved off the lake but stayed with the team until 2010 when they moved to Seattle. By 2008 the launch craft and much of the preparations moved to Allen and Julie Brokaw’s Cimino Estates Dr garage and lakeside homesite where it remains today. The Pyro team turned professional and both Alan and son Will Wendt were licensed pyrotechnics under ATF regulations. The fireworks show improved with experience and passion. The team invested far more than hobby money and joined the pro Pyro ranks with electronic matches, wifi controls, GPS barge positioning, and firing programming producing creative choreography. The show design phase now begins with the critique of past performances coupled with the annual shopping and acquisition of new devices, shells, budgetary restraints, certified bunker storage space and the limits of available trained volunteer man hours that b be crunched into an upside down pyramid shaped flow chart –most heavily loaded in the few days before the 4th. By 2010, music was added and an electronic sequential firing control module practically drove the budget beyond all previous year extras combined. The constant repair, replacement, and fabrication of firing cannon and staging preparations continued to grow with added show refinements.
2013 saw the beginning of boat patrols and lighted buoys to keep onlookers at a safe distance from the present 3 launch platform barges and the auxiliary fleet of volunteers crunching through final frenetic steps on show day. Did I mention the weather or the Fire Marshall inspection? The Fire Marshall has last say on the proposed show and makes final inspection at the site. Rain in the area threatens the shells and firing tubes, and nerves of the volunteers. Lightening is an unquestionable show-stopper for everyone’s picnic. Weather systems challenge the Pyro team and add extra work in preparations – you will notice a new 20 ‘ white tent set up in the water as a rain shed to protect a fire-ready loaded barge. Countless other expenditures and contingencies must be handled.
2015 was another marvel and seen by a growing audience – including a mischievous drone greeting dockside guests around the lake before climbing high over the display for an eagles eye view! The clean-up chores of putting away the show paraphernalia starts July 5th and the show Guru has already started brainstorming for 2016. The original motivation of having a father & son event 17 years ago has now become a widely anticipated event enjoyed by many Keystone families. The Wendt and Brokaw families have made this tradition their special family reunion theme and motivation. The families gather and Susan and Julie host their families and friends – many handling last minute details and assisting with the show. Many other families around the lake have also made the 4th celebrations one of their own family traditions hosting lakeside gatherings to marvel at the 20 minute fireworks extravaganza. The popular belief that all traditions are self sustaining is part of the 4th of July celebration. The spirit of volunteerism is truly self-sustaining!
- Written by Larry Smith
