Annual fireworks show preparations

You’re going to want to dust off those lawn chairs and get ready for a spectacular fireworks show on the 4th of July, presented by the Thermopolis Volunteer Fire Department.

According to John Fish, who has mastered the show each year for the past 25 years said this year is going to be very special.

Funds raised so far for the event total $11,000, about the same as they had last year, but Fish said anyone still wanting to donate to the show may do so by dropping a check in the mailbox at the front of the firehall or dropping it off at the Chamber of Commerce.

The department has been using the same distributor for the last 25 years, Flying Phoenix out of Riverton.

“Jim (Landis) has always been really good to us,” Fish said. “His shells are quality and he makes sure we have the latest pieces every year. He sends us shells that no one has seen before and all kinds of specialty shells.”

Fish puts in countless hours designing a show that wows crowds every year. He not only maps out the shells, but the sequence they’ll be fired, what colors to shoot and the members of the department spend most of the day on July 4th setting everything up for the night in the heat of the day.

As always, the show will begin at dark, so be sure to get to your spot early so as not to miss a minute of the event.