1996 l'International Benson & Hedges Montréal Pyromusical Competition Report

Japan Sky Magic Saturday June 15^th, 1996

Marutaymaya

Under a perfect summer sky, the 12th Benson and Hedges International Fireworks Competition at La Ronde, Montréal, opened to an enjoyable display by Marutaymaya.

The show began with a large number of mines followed by some very large shells containing bright white long tailed comet stars. These formed a very dense criss-cross pattern in the sky and seem to be something of a hallmark of Marutaymaya. At the end of this segment, a large number of big titanium salutes filled the sky.

The next segment was much more serene in nature with the use of many shells filled with firefly stars. One interesting feature of the stars used was that some of them were greenish and some of them were orangish in hue. This was particularly noticeable when both types were fired at once. Also, there seemed to be several different speeds of flashing stars - some were much faster than others.

One portion of the display was quite unique in that only a single (but very large shell) would be fired at a time but the synchronization with the music was perfect - the shell would explode exactly on the beat of the music. This continued for a couple minutes and was quite impressive.

There was a portion of the display which consisted of a large number of shaped burst shells. The shapes produced included the standard single ring of stars, a single ring surrounding a sphere of stars (looking like the planet Saturn), a very distinct heart-shape and, most impressive of all, a complete five-pointed star.

Other interesting features were the use of go-getter stars, combined with shells of tourbillons. Another unusual effect was that of pale blue stars which turned into green firefly stars towards the end of their burn.

The finale was quite dramatic though rather short, composing again of the bright long tailed silver-comet shells combined with a large number of titanium salutes.

Overall, it was an enjoyable but rather serene display and not the most exciting I've seen. Marutaymaya's display in 1994 was more dramatic.

China Yellow River Symphony Thursday June 20^th, 1996

Sunny International

After ominous-looking clouds cleared away right on cue, the 2nd display in this year's competition began under very humid conditions.

This was an incredibly display. There were so many effects that it would actually be easier to report on those which weren't used rather than those which were. I don't think my report can begin to express how good this show was!

It began with a long line of strobe pots with a large volley of titanium salutes overhead. Above these were a great number of silver comet shells. There were also multi-break shells, really bright firefly stars, shells of tourbillons. One particularly nice effect was the use of orange charcoal comet stars together with bright colour stars all in the same shell. A variation on this were stars which started out as charcoal comets but turned into colour stars at the end of their burn. And all of this in the first three minutes!

The next segment included a barrage of large mines and several groups of closely packed rockets (with probably 30 or more rockets in each group) which exploded loudly into masses of bright yellowish stars. More firefly star shells with a different colour and flash rate than those in the first segment. There were also a lot of shells of crackling comets.

A more serene start to the next segment with shells of small red stars which were in close groups and fell very slowly through the air. Then the same thing with green stars. Now it starts to be difficult to remember where one segment ended and another began, such was the pace of the display.

There were some really huge shells with multi-colour changes and also some huge shells which produced slow-falling glittering fronds. A variation on this produced long glittering fronds which flared to bright white at the end of their fall.

There were many many huge flower shells with a huge outer sphere of colour stars with a smaller core sphere of differently coloured stars. Some of these large shells contained many different colours, including some really excellent blue and orange stars. Other shells were packed instead with golden glitter comets. And yet other shells with very fast flashing fireflies.

Many of the shells used were simply enormous and expoded at great altitude filling virtually the whole field of view with perfectly symetrical bursts. Some shells which stand out in my mind were those with orange charcoal comets combined with bright blue.

There was a segment which started with large fountains in front of the lake. Then really bright comets fired from the ground to form cross patterns. Then high above these some remarkable shaped burst shells which produced the effect of an asterisk in the sky - each of the six lines of the asterisk being formed of something like 30 or 40 small comet stars.

There was a segment with vivid purple stars fired from the ground and then shells of purple stars fired above these. There were many multi-break bursts which produced the effect of large boquets of flowers in the sky.

Many times there were shells composed of go-getters. These ranged from very small delicate blue stars which sort of wandered across the sky to much large tailed comet stars which formed criss-cross patterns in the sky.

One particularly amazing segment was composed of many different types of shaped-burst shells. There were a huge variety of shapes produced: simple rings; double rings; saturn effects; five-pointed stars; rings with half of the stars of one colour and half of another; there must have been several hundred shells in this segment alone.

The synchronization to the music was pretty good, though probably not quite as good as Japan. However, there was one segment which was excellent. The music consisted of scales running up and down the piano keyboard with trills at the top. The fireworks aped this to great effect with lines of comets fired from the ground which went from one side of the display area to the other, following the notes on the keyboard. When there was a trill, a bright white mine would be fired!

There were some particularly interesting noise making devices. The most dramatic of these were, for want of a better expression, screaming tourbillons. There were also shells packed with hundreds of whistle stars fired at the same time and then, high above, shaped-burst shells producing bows in circles. Then the screaming tourbillons were fired from the ground from which they rose wiggling and screaming into the air!

The finale was incredibly. There were some simply enormous silver comet shells fired which were the brightest I have ever seen. Enormous flower shells; enormous charcoal-comet-to-colour shells; enormous multi-breaks. Everything was on a grand scale and the climax was a huge barrage of giant titanium salutes. The crowd roared their approval for what was a most amazing display!

I'm sure there are things which I have missed out from this report; there were just so many shells fired and so much to see that it really was hard to take it all in. This display has certainly set the standard for the other competitors to beat!

Italy Europe Baroque Sunday June 23^rd, 1996

Pirotecnica Soldi SRL

Under a clear, cool sky, this display showed just how high-quality Italian fireworks are. Soldi had been unlucky enough to shoot in a thunderstorm two years ago in Montréal but had perfect conditions this year.

The show got off to a magnificent start with many multi-break shells of a type which I think must be typically Italian. This type of shell bursts while at a fairly low alitude but while it is still rapidly ascending into the air. A large number of smaller shells are ejected - of the order of ten or more and then these burst in a sequence of a few seconds. The effect is to fill the air with many spheres of stars. The colours used were particularly vivid with really excellent blues and reds. Many silver comet mines were fired together with a large number of titanium salutes.

The theme of the display was baroque music from different European countries and the fireworks were chosen to fit very well with the music. In between each thematic segement, a volley of the multi-break shells just described would be fired.

There were some really excellent bright white comet shells and some really beautiful shells of very deep blue stars. An interesting effect was that of shells which produced clusters of closely spaced small stars.

Many of the segements of the display had at least three layers. The bottom layer would consist of crossed candles firing either white or gold glitter comets; above this there would be multi-break colour shells and above this gold glitter comet shells.

One particularly interesting effect was a type of go-getter. A shell would break but the stars ejected were dark; after a couple of seconds, bright green stars would emerge which propelled themselves towards the ground in a zig-zag fashion, though not as fast as the more usual type of go-getters.

The climax to one segment was consisted of a great number of gold glitter shells ending in a tremendous volley of salutes.

As the music changed to the serenity of Pachebel's canon, red flares and white strobes were ignited on the ground. Above these a vast number of firefly shells were fired. The effect was incredibly beautiful as the was air filled with slowly flashing stars.

The pace then changed with another multi-layer display. At a low level there were gold glitter comets with salutes at the end; above this brilliant shells of bright blue stars and above this orange charcoal comets with blue stars at the ends of the comet trails. Then there were many bouquet type shells where the burst takes place quite low in the air and the stars form a funnel shape as they rise, like a boquet of flowers. At the end of this segment a huge volley of tourbillon shells and salutes were fired. Especially interesting were bouquet-type shells where the stars changed into tourbillons near the end of their burn.

Great use was made of ground-level effects such as fountains and crossed comet candles. One brilliant device was in the shape of a semicircle. A great number of comets would emerge from every point on the semicircle and form a fan-like pattern across the display site. In keeping with the multi-level theme, above the fan were golden hanging glitter shells and shells with blue stars and tourbillons.

There was a very nice segment which consisted of brilliant yellow star shells with white comet tails. Then the same effect was repeated using green stars with white tails. While this was taking place, on the ground could be seen what looked like horizontal spinning wheels. In fact, these wheels turned out to be girondelas (I'm not sure of the spelling) and after spinning on the ground for a while, suddenly rose in the air to form towers of white sparks. At the top of their flight, the white sparks appeared to form the sides of an opening box and as the box opened, multi-coloured stars were ejected. It was a very impressive sight. Then there was a volley of really big white comet shells.

Yet another multi-layer segment consisted of shellette candles where small stars were delicately ejected in tight bunches out of small shells. Then the candles changed to brilliant white comets with shells of the same above these. Then for the top layer were the multi-break type of shells containing yet more brilliant white comets. By the climax of this segement, the air was filled with the criss-cross tails of white comets.

There was a nice set-piece done in lancework of a horse and cart whilst red flares were burning at ground level. Then a large number of gerbe type fountains were fired with white comets and blue stars above. Then the fountains changed to white, in the shape of multiple fleur-de-lys (since this segment was the music of France). Then the white fountains switched back to the gerbe form and then back to white again. Above this were fired dazzling red and white star shells and at the end of the segment a great number of brilliant mines were fired with golden glitter shells above. The very end of the segment included a large number of salutes which changed into hanging golden glitter fronds which slowly drifted to the ground. The only thing which spoiled this segment was the fact that quite a few of the fountains didn't ignite properly and so the symmetry was spoiled a bit.

The pace quickened with dramatic colour changes from blue to red, then blue, and then red again. Then there were some of the delayed ignition type of stars in red. Then a large number of screaming mines were fired which terminated in very loud salutes. A particularly dramatic part of this segment consisted of gold comets fired vertically from candles and bright blue stars fired almost horizontally. This had the effect of the blue stars criss-crossing while the gold comets formed fan-like shapes. Then above this were fired some very large shells of blue stars, the burst charge being titanium laced and giving the effect of a core of bright white inside the blue sphere of stars. There was also a segment when a great number of whistles were fired.

The finale was incredible. Again a multi-layer approach with white comets near the ground, a thunderous volley of salutes above this and absolutely dazzling white comet shells above this. As the climax approached, the sky was completely filled with absolutely brilliant white comets with a tremendous volley of enormous titanium salutes below. The crowd roared their approval for a very enjoyable display.

However, there must have been one or two technical problems because a few minutes after the end of the display, several volleys of shells were fired. I don't know if these had been forgotten or if they just hadn't gone off when they were expected to.

Overall, I'd rate this display very highly. It was a different approach to the Chinese display but the quality of the colours and effects used were excellent.

England The Spirit of England Thursday June 27^th, 1996

Kimbolton Fireworks

Dull wet weather gave way to a perfectly clear but cool evening. The introduction to the display promised that there would be some unusal colours in the display such as lilac, purple, orange, yellow and also that all of the fireworks in the display had been produced by Kimbolton themselves. The music was to be from English composers such as Elgar and Holst. At this point I should mention that I am originally from England and so I hope my report isn't too biassed!

The display opened with many white comets and quickly moved into a volley of salutes. Many mines of bright smallish clustered stars were fired. Above this, long golden comets and gold glitter shells above this. These medium level shells were fired in three distinct clusters and then above those were fired some really huge spherical shells. Then the air became filled with bright white fireflies. As this segment rose to a climax, many shells of brilliant colour stars were fired including bright yellow. There were some shells which were an interesting combination of colour stars with a long golden glitter comets which made the shape of long twinkling fingers, almost like a starfish, surrounded by a sphere of colour. There were many multi-break shells fired and there were many large salutes including several very powerful bottom shots which could be felt as a thump in the chest. It was certainly a dramatic opening to the display.

The next segment opened with many multi-colour bombette candles. Above these were fired some really huge charcoal comet shells and then some incredibly large multi-colour change shells. These would star off with say red stars, these would then turn into gold comets which would then turn into blue stars which would then turn into silver comets and would finally change colour once more. These were fired at very high altitude and completely filled the field of view.

A long line of white fountains opened the next segment. Bright orange star shells were fired above these and then a great number of mines which contained extremely bright stars. The most dramatic of the mines contained the most incredibly bright orange stars that I have ever seen. Then the colour switched to a dazzling yellow and then many white and gold crackling star mines were fired. Above these were shells containing the white and gold crackling comets followed rapidly by very nicely shaped burst charcoal shells. These switched to colour star shaped bursts including a very pretty four pointed star (formed from two overlapping ovals of stars).

The next segment began with some beautiful gold glitter comets with golden frond shells above. Then the ground fired comets became a mixture of gold glitter and dramatic purple stars. Above this were fired large flower type shells with beautiful mixtures of colours. The ground fired comets switched to bombettes. Above these were fired some shells with very long tailed charcoal comets which seemed to fill the air with long orange-gold fingers. Then there were shells of tourbillons with purple and gold glitter comets below. Following this the air became filled with bright yellow firefly stars - the first time I have seen yellow twinklers. After these had faded the air was filled with shells of charcoal crossette comets which left a delicate criss-cross tracery in the air.

White was the opening theme in the next segment with brilliant white fountains on the ground, slow rising white comets above these and white long-tailed comet shells at the top level. The white comets from the shells all turned into loud salutes at the and of their burn, including some more bottom shots. Then the combined colour star and golden glitter shells made a return. As these faded, a vast number of fluorescent orange mines were fired followed by a volley of salutes and titanium salutes. Above this there were a mixture of orange star shells and orange fireflies. The climax of this segment was a vast number of screaming tourbillons screaching their way high into the air.

Then shells of small white comets began the next segment with crackling comets fired from below rising high into the air. Then a large number of bouquet shells of colour stars which all contained bottom shots. Next were some shells containing screaming whistles and above this some really huge flower shells with nice contrasing inner and outer sphere colours. Finally in this segment a large number of crackling mines were fired with screaming raucous whistle shells above.

A more serene start to the next segment with bright white strobe pots. Since the music was Colonel Bogey it was most appropriate that a large number of whistles were fired which whistled along with the music! Then the pace quickened with a huge volley of salutes and colour shells. After these died down, shells of colour stars which turned into tourbillons and shells containing crossette stars and go-getters. At the climax a vast number of crackling comets were fired together with a huge volley of titanium salutes and bottom shots.

Brilliant white fountains seemingly fired from within the display-site lake itself began the next segement with silver (instead of the more usual gold) glitter fronds above. As the white fountains faded gold and silver crackling fountains roared to life with brilliant gold glitter comets and gold glitter comet shells above. This was followed with some beautiful glitter comets which rose extremely high and suddenly many mines of tourbillons. Then mines of crossette stars and mines of many colours. Above this were shells of crossette stars and finally the enormous multi-colour changing shells at a vast altitude.

The next segment consisted mainly of shaped burst shells with single rings in purple, hearts in red, double rings in red and blue with aquamarine star candles below. This lead rapidly into a sequence of colour bouquet shells and shells of crossette stars which turned into salutes which turned into yet more colour stars. Below this were some beautiful candles with some fantastic colours and then the huge multi-colour changing shells above. Then mines of brilliant yellow stars which all exploded into much smaller yellow stars. Above this were shells which mixed charcoal comets and colours such as lilac and turquoise. There were also mines of pink and lilac stars.

The finale began with the music Jerusalem with crossette star mines at the bottom, white comet shells above with the white comets turning into colour stars. Then some very large palm tree charcoal shells. As the music reached a climax, a huge number of brilliant colour mines with dazzling orange, yellow, lilac, green and every other imaginable colour were going off at ground level; at medium level colour star shells with brilliant orange and other colours, then blues and turquoises, then charcoal comets and colours; at a high level the enormous multi-colour changing shells and finally a truly thunderous volley of salutes, titanium salutes and some chest thumping bottom shots.

Overall, this was a magnificent display. The range of colours produced certainly lived up to the promise before the start of the show. Particularly memorable were the amazing fluorescent oranges and yellows; the beautiful purples and turqoises and the brilliant blues. These were particularly effective in the many mines fired. The only negative comments I can think of is the fact the synchronization to music could have been a little better, especially in the finale when the music ended several seconds before the fireworks. Also, some of the colours were spoiled by the fact that the smoke lingered and at some times enveloped the crowd.

Germany Time Travel Sunday June 30^th, 1996

Weco Pyrotechnische Fabrik

A very wet weekend threatened to spoil this display but fortunately the weather gods were smiling and the clouds rolled back late in the afternoon. However, I think the inclement weather during the weekend did have an effect on the display - more on this later.

The show began to a number of palm-tree type charcoal comet shells with charcoal comets on the rising shells giving the impression of the trunks of the trees. These were followed by a number of firefly shells which increased in size until the whole sky was filled with brilliant greenish-white twinkling stars.

The next segment began with a number of gold glitter comet shells which increased in size until they were replaced with brilliant white comet shells. Then there were many shaped-burst shells with single rings in various colours; double rings in contrasting colours and saturn type shells with particularly good blue centres.

As the theme of the display was time travel the next segment was meant to represent the start of time. This was achieved by the use of many very bright flash-pots on the ground with salutes above to give the effect of lightening and thunder. Then a number of yellow flares were set off on the ground to give the effect of primordial lava. A number of these flares were inside a translucent volcano shaped set-piece which had a very large fountain at the top and gave a fantastic impression of an eruption. Bright yellow star shells were fired above this Dante-esque scene together with many yellow mines. The effect was very impressive. The segment ended with screaming whistles and a large number of screaming toubillons.

The next segment began in a serene fashion with silver and gold fountains. Above the fountains were fired vivid purple stars from candles and then two silver girondelas which rose high into the air. A fan-shaped fountain set-piece was fired and above this were fired some very high bombette crackling candle comets which split into multi-coloured stars. Above these were fired some mulit-break shells containing go-getters and some saturn effect shaped-bursts. The end of the segment contained some large glitter-frond shells with the novel twist that the glitter-frond stars turned into multi-break colour stars at the end of their burn.

Charcoal fountains with spinning charcoal wheels were used to begin the next segment. Charcoal comet candles were fired above these and crossette charcoal comets above these. Then a bright red griffin shaped set piece moved from above the ground at the left of the display area and "landed" towards the middle where it sat and glowed for a considerable time. Above this were fired palm-tree shells and golden glitter mines. The end of the segment came with a large flight of rockets which exploded into gold twinkle stars.

The next segment rapidly followed with some large crackling glitter fountains. Gold glitter crossettecomets were fired above the fountains and then another large flight of gold glitter rockets. Two fan-shaped fountain set pieces were fired but one of them only partially ignited - probably due to the earlier damp weather. Long-tailed white comet shells were fired above these set pieces and then some bright white wheels were ignited. Crossed comets were fired above the wheels which then changed into large bright white fountains. As these were burning, wiggling white comets which exploded into a multitude of small stars were fired. At a high level, some large multi-break shells containing charcoal glitter stars were fired, forming a nice glittering mesh in the sky.

The next segment began with a boat-shaped set piece. Then some amazing candles which gave the impression of rivers of stars rising rapidly into the air. There really were a vast number of stars fired in very quick succession - it seemed as though the candles must have been packed with stars with almost no delay between the individual stars. These rose to a very great height. Some nice blue and silver star shells were fired high in the air and then some nice blue small-starred bombette type shells fired at a lower level. After this were some large white comet shells and then some multi-break shells of white comets which turned to blue and then to gold. A line of titanium fountains was ignited forming the "sails" of the boat with wiggling white exploding comets fired above and the segment ending with some big white comet shells.

The song "putting on the ritz" introduced the next segment with several gold fountains which swayed in time with the music! Then a volley of rockets and some nice white comets which formed a fan-shape. Above this were fired a lot of shaped-burst shells with red hearts, lots of coloured rings, many brilliant colour star shells and even a double five-pointed star in blue. Then there were some amazingly bright white comet candles. Above this were fired several go-getter shells, first in green and then in blue. Then shells of red wiggling stars which ended in salutes. The segement began to increase to a climax with shells of toubillons which fanned out from a centre point, surrounded by blue and glitter stars forming the effect of either a scallop shell or a cauliflower! Then a vast number of toubillons were fired from the ground and a number of multi-break tourbillon scallop-type shells and some blue go-getter shells. The segment ended in a loud volley of salutes fired from multi-break shells.

The next segment began in a serene fashion with green ground-based flares and green star candles. Above these were fired shells of clustered stars which drifted downwards very slowly and were very vividly coloured in red, green and an excellent blue. Then white and gold comets followed with mines of whistles and salutes. Three girondelas ascended majestically into the air followed by three more. Above these were fired white comet shells and them some excellent shaped-burst shells which produced the shape of red four-leaved clovers with a core of blue stars. The next section was either a dramatic mis-fire or was simply dramatic. A vast number of tourbillons appeared to emerge hissing from the water of the lake but may equally have been the result of some low breaks! Either way, it was very dramatic. Above this seething nest of snakes were fired shells of charcoal stars which turned into white comets at the end of their burn.

The next segement began with the fast candles with a lot of multi-break shells above. Then glitter mines and mines of toutbillons and whistles with a volley of rockets and scallop-shell shells for good measure. This theme continued with crossette multi-break comet candles, then the fast candles again followed by more rockets and silver glitter shells and finally crossette comets.

The final segment began with silver wheels and space-ship shaped set-pieces in red. Above these were fired the wiggling exploding comet mines and some very high-rising golden fountains. Then some very high small-starred mines in purple, blue and pink. The finale itself consisted almost exclusively of glitter-frond shells with single and multi-break. Finally a large number of very large shells which burst with seemingly nothing happening until the sky was filled with a huge number of titanium salutes and a final huge silver glitter frond shell whose stars ended as white comets.

Overall, this was a very interesting display with especially good use of set pieces and other ground-based fireworks. Whilst containing rather few large shells compared to other displays, the overall theme and use of devices to tell the story of the theme was very well done. I think the weather must have had a negative effect though since I noticed when leaving the display that there were several racks of un-fired rockets and some other groups of mortars still with their protective plastic in place. There were also some low-breaks and I noticed at least one flower-pot. Despite these criticisms, a very original and enjoyable display.

Spain Siempre España Thursday July 4^th, 1996

Pirotecnia Igual

Torrential rain and low cloud threatened to spoil the display but the weather gods were on the side of Spain as the rain stopped right on cue and the cloud base lifted enough so that nothing would be lost in the mist.

The show began with crossed white comet candles followed by gold star shells above. These were quickly augmented by multi-break shells of tourbillons. As the tourbillons were weaving across the sky, shells of red go-getters and then gold were fired. Then shells of smallish gold stars which appeared to fall slowly and then shells of gold-coloured tourbillons. As these were fading out, a number of rockets containing tourbillons soared into the sky with many mines of tourbillons fired below. These were followed by a number of silver glitter shells and then silver glitter and tourbillon mines. The end of this exciting beginning to Spain's entry in the 1996 competition was marked by a huge volley of silver glitter shells with large white comet candles below.

Mines of tourbillons were a definite theme to the whole display as the next segment began with such devices. However, as the tourbillons burned out, they turned into red stars. Crossed gold comets and crossed tourbillon mines followed with bright yellow star candles with gold comet trails in front. Above these were fired many tourbillon and whistle shells. The end of this segment was marked with a large number of very large shells of gold comet stars which turned into colour stars at the end of their burn. Finally, a numnber of golden glitter frond shells were fired.

The next segment began with a number of bright white crossed mines with some very nice shells of blue stars with orange charcoal trails above. Symmetry was beautifully achieved by the mines with a centre piece of the, by now, ubiquitous tourbillon mines. Then there were mines of a different type of tourbillon. These appeared much larger than the more usual type and produced much bigger white sparks and a very pronounced whizzing sound and a rather slower rotation. A large number of palm-tree shells were fired, but these were unusual in that they contained blue stars as well. Some of these shells were very large. Then is was back to crossed glitter comets and bright red star candles followed by a large number of tourbillon mines. Then some more mines of the whizzing tourbillons with large red comet candles. As the finale to this segment approach, the music appeared to sweep across the keyboard and simultaneously a number of mines swept from one side of the display area to the other with some large flower shells above.

Bright orange star mines were used to open the next segment with bright yellow star shells above. Then the usual crossed tourbillon mines and rockets of tourbillons. These were followed by some very nice shells which contained very bright small yellow stars with tourbillon mines below. Then there were mines of go-getters with the same in shells above. A number of very large gold comet turning to yellow star shells were fired and the segment ended with a number of the gold comet turning to colour star shells.

The next segment began with some very bright yellow star mines which were very well synchronized to the music. Then tourbillon mines with gold comet turning to colour star shells above. Then glitter mines with tourbillon rockets; then whizzing tourbillon mines. Then there were mines which contained the bright white whizzing tourbillons with some much smaller, much faster spinning orange hummers. Above this were many gold and silver glitter shells and then bright yellow comet candles below. Then there were some beautiful shells containing brilliant gold fireflies. The end of this segment was marked with a very large volley multi-colour change and other flower shells.

The next segment began with candles of blue stars with orange trails, but was slightly spoiled by the fact that it appeared that one battery of candles failed to ignite, spoiling the symmetry which would have been created with the gold glitter mines in the centre of the display. However, a number of shells of gold comets which turned into white fireflies made up for the failure! Some large white fountains with gold comets turning into fireflies shells above ended this segment.

The next segment began in a dramatic fashion with a large number of brilliant red flares actually in the lake itself. These quickly turned into brilliant white strobes. This was a fantastic sight as the whole lake appeared to be covered with brilliantly flashing lights. Behind these were bright white glitter mines with multi-break shells of small, slow falling colour stars. By now the strobes had faded and a large number of tourbillon mines were fired. Then another large number of white strobes were lit across the lake! Then comets began leaping from the lake as palm-tree shells were fired above. These were followed by crossed charcoal comets with some large multi-break charcoal comet shells above and a volley of titanium salutes. After the volley, a large number of colour stars burst out of the lake with blue and orange trail mines behind and shells of the same above. The next portion was absolutely stunning as a large number of mines of tourbillons, glitter and other colours burst forth from all over the lake, some of them being pretty close to the audience - whose gasps of amazement could be heard over the noise! It was a very dramatic effect to say the least!

The pace quickened somewhat for the next segment. Starting with tourbillon and colour starmines; rockets of go-getter above; crossed glitter comets below. Then shaped-burst shells with bow-ties; rings; saturn and ovals and globes. Then there were crackling mines in blue and gold; multi-break shells of the same and bright white comet candles below. Then shells of the whizzing tourbillons and then a very interesting effect. This was shells of bright yellowish flashes - a similar flash to a salute but distinctly yellow and no noise. Then some real salutes mixed in with shells of crossette stars. Then another volley of the flashing shells and shells of tourbillons. The climax of this segment contained two flights of closely spaced rockets - with probably 30 rockets in each flight. These exploded into the yellow flashes. Above this were some very large shells of multi-colour stars, tourbillons and salutes.

This segment was performed to the music "Barcelona" and began with the blue and orange trail mines at the sides with large brilliand white mines in the centre. Then many mines in yellow and orange with some large yellow star shells above and shells of the small, slow falling, yellow stars. Shells of fireflies followed with bright white fountains suddenly bursting out of the water all over the lake. Above these were many glitter frond shells and, on the ground, bright cross-shaped fountains. As these faded, many glitter mines were fired with palm-tree glitter frond shells above. Then many blue star mines and white comet candles. Above this, some remarkable shells of white comets which transformed into white go-getters. Next, more glitter frond shells in silver with blue stars in as well for good measure and finally some really huge silver glitter frond shells.

The penultimate segment began with the usual crossed comet mines with the gold comet turning to colour star shells above. Then glitter comet candles, tourbillon mines and shells and then firefly shells, with big bright comets below. Then mines of fireflies with some very high rising white comet candles. Next, tourbillon mines with gold glitter shells above whose stars turned into gold fireflies. Finally in this segment, a barrage of glitter mines with some extremely bright white long tailed comet shells above - of the sort one would expect to see from Japan.

The finale is very hard to describe. In my notebook, all I wrote was WOW in large letters! It is difficult to think of appropriate superlatives to describe this final couple of minutes. It combined all the elements of the earlier segments, with the exception of the water-based effects. There were huge saturn shells, including some remarkable ones where the core stars were all fireflies. There were enourmous multi-colour changing comet and star shells; enormous yellow star shells. There were some fantastic shells of white stars which all split into myriads of tiny white stars at the end of their burn with a huge crackling effect - giving the effect in the sky of, for want of a better description, a large cauliflower! As the climax approached, the sky was simply filled with a tremendous number of shells of all types with the audience literally screaming in appreciation. Finally, there was a simply thunderous volley of hundreds, if not even thousands, of very large salutes. The effect was simply breathtaking and the audience screamed and shouted their approval.

This was a truly fantastic display. The symmetry, the synchronization, the fantastic use of the lake and the tremendous finale. I am certain this display will win an award. My description really can't begin to do it justice!

Australia Emotions in Colour Sunday July 7^th, 1996

Foti's International Fireworks

Some early evening showers and ominous looking clouds threatened to spoil this show but fortunately the rain held off until the last minute of the display.

The display began with a large volley of salutes with some interesting go-getters being fired. These were extremely bright and moved in a slow downwards zig-zag fashion. After these faded, the sky became filled with firefly shells. Then some large white comet shells followed by large colour shells and shells of colour stars and charcoal comets. Especially effective were golden glitter frond shells which also contained blue or other coloured stars. The end of the segment consisted of a number of simple white star shells, then colour shells, then some very large multi-coloured flower shells and finally some really huge multi-colour changing shells which changed from blue, to gold glitter and then to red.

The next segment began with high rising crackling comets with golden glitter frond shells above. Then slow spinning tourbillons with salutes at the end rose from the ground with the glitter frond shells now containing salutes. Then there were more of the multi-colour changing shells progressing from golden glitter to colours. Also, some shells of tourbillons some of which turned into golden glitter and golden strobe stars. The end of the segment was composed of a lot of the multi colour change shells, which, incidentally, were huge, and a lot of tourbillons.

The next segment began with more and more glitter frond shells being fired, getting progressively larger. These were unusual in that the fronds were bright silver rather than the more usual dim gold. The final shells were huge and the sky was completely filled with thin silver fronds, slowly drifting to the ground in the breeze. Then there were some multi-break shells with gold glitter, colour stars and tourbillons. Then a change of atmosphere with a lot of very high rising charcoal comets and crossette comets and shells. A number of charcoal spinning wheels then burst into life and after a while turned into glitter. Then the glitter turned to gold and finally to bright white then dazzling white. Suddenly a number of white horizontal spinning wheels came to life and after a few seconds these rose into the air as girondelas bursting into colour stars at the apex of their flight. Above these were fired some very large glitter frond and colour stars shells and then some shells which changed from blue or red stars into white comets.

A combination of charcoal comet and blue star shells began the next segment with charcoal and red stars as well. Then shells of crackling glitter with lots of salutes and also big toubillons ending in salutes fired from the ground. Then a number of very bright white star shells and then yellow stars and yellow glitter shells. These then turned into shells of gold fireflies, some of which were huge. The segment ended with some large flower shells and shells of glitter and colour stars.

THe next segment began with crossette comets and shells of small white fireflies. Then bright white rising comets with golden tails. Above these shells of charcoal comets turning to colour stars turning to glitter fronds. Then shells of white comets and blue stars. Next were some shells of slow falling stars and also go getters. Then some more really huge flower shells and shells of charcoal comets, glitter and colour stars. Next some very good yellow star shells and shells of brilliant silver glitter. There were a few shaped-burst shells of rings and crossed ovals. Finally in this segment were some really really large multi-colour change shells and then some shells of glitter fronds which were also go-getters - pretty unusual.

The next segment began with more shape-burst shells and also a mixture of glitter and go-getters. Then lots of shells of vivid green. Next some charcoal comet shells and a volley of large titanium salutes followed by more golden glitter shells and high rising crackling comets. Once again, the segment ended with some huge glitter and colour shells and some multi-breaks as well.

Two large fountain set-pieces composed the next segment. These each contained several wheels which formed the shape of a kaliedoscope. This was very effective as the fountains changed from gold, to crackling and finally to bright white. A very unusal and vivid effect.

Lots of bright white rising comets and ring-effect shaped-burst shells started the next segment. Then a large number of whistles and very bright white star shells. Then there were literally thousands of deafening screaming whistles as large multi-break colour shells were fired above and the whistles were replaced by a very noisy set of bombette comet candles. Then a lot of very large and colourful multi-break shells above, followed by dazzling white and finally a barrage of large white mines.

The next segment began with a mixture of white and glitter comets with glitter frond shells above. Then a number of crossette comet shells followed by some very large charcoal comet shells. Then white comet shells followed by multi-break colour shells. This sequence was repeated a few times and moved into a sequence of colour and white star shells, high rising white glitter comets which was also repeated a few times. Then some golden glitter shells followed by very large white comet shells and some large crackling comets. Then large shells of colour followed by a large number of very big glitter and colour shells.

The final segment with a volley of titanium salutes followed by multi-break charcoal comet shells and candles. These then switched to white comet candles and shells and shells of crossette comets. Then a large number of crackling bombette comet candle with glitter frond and colour star shells above with a really deep blue. Then a lot of multi-colour star shells followed by glitter comet shells then some really dazzling white comet shells. Next some white glitter mines, then some very big white glitter mines, then mines of tourbillon salutes. Meanwhile, above all this, lots of shells of various types, including large flowers, glitter and colour, colour ending in multi-break small stars then a huge volley of salutes and some enormous multi-colour changing shells finally ending in some very very large glitter frond shells.

This was an excellent display. Particulary enjoyable were the large multi-colour changing flower shells and the mix of glitter and colour shells. The only criticism is that the display was a couple of minutes shy of the expected thirty minutes.

United States Nouveau Classic Thursday July 11^th, 1996

Performance Pyrotechnic Associates

Strong winds and ominous looking storm clouds threatened the shoot site to the left and right but completely cleared away by the time the display was due to start. The crowd was very large since this display was tipped as the "one to watch". I think they were right to think so - I ended up taking 17 pages of notes compared to between 11 and 13 for the other displays! It is a very difficult display to describe because there was just so much happening; I doubt my descriptions here can really do it justice ... however, I will attempt to convey at least a flavour of the delights experienced.

The display began with a number of bright red flares followed by orange strobe pots. Then a barrage of mines with stars which burst into small cracking stars at the end. At the sides of the display, crossed comets with some huge shells of colour stars and glitter comets above. Then more mines of the crackling stars and shells of the same above. This was followed by crossette comets and bombettes with big shells of colour and glitter above and some very big shells of colour stars which had small firefly like glitter in the core of the burst. Then there were shells of small, very closely spaced, stars which fell quite slowly followed by more of the shells with the crackling type of white stars and then more of the really large colour shells with glitter cores and finally, in this segment, a volley of titanium salutes.

The next segment followed with barely a pause with a tableaux of fountains across the shoot site. There were followed by charcoal comets and palm-tree type shells and then golden glitter frond shells with colour stars at the ends of the fronds - unusual and effective. Then there were charcoal comets fired in fan shapes with more glitter frond shells above. Next large shells of brilliant blue stars and golden glitter comets with blue star candles below and moving to go-getters above and finally moving into another group of strobe-pots which provided the link into the next segment.

A number of large mines with colour and glitter shells above burst into life as the strobe pots faded. Then more shells of the crackling white comet stars and then some very interesting shells which had charcoal comets which turned into colour stars and then into crackling comets. Then some very high shells and a volley of titanium salutes and another mine barrage.

The next segment began with some very nice colour candles and also tourbillons terminating in salutes. Above this some excellent multi-break shells producing a sky-filling criss-cross of glitter comets and then lots of shells of tourbillons. On the ground, crossed mines of really unusual colours such as lime green, chartreuse, orange purple (in fact, these special colours featured throughout the display), combined with glitter. Above this, shells of small colour stars and glitter and also bombettes of the same. The synchronization to the music was excellent (more on this later) and very effective with mines moving from left to right and then right to left in perfect time. Then shells of very slow turning tourbillons which wiggled across the sky and shells of colour stars ending in salutes. Then big shells of very bright white comets, followed by shells of colour stars and glitter comets and colour stars and tourbillons and then shells which shot out rings of tourbillons. Next shells of charcoal comets turning into colour stars, then colour and glitter comet shells, some of which were huge. Now on the ground, crossed mines and colour candles, then colour mines and mines of slow flashing strobe stars, then tourbillons with salutes and more strobe stars which then lead into big bright white comet shells with some really big ones. Next shells of charcoal comets into colour stars, then the same in mines, then again in shells, then big glitter mines and shells of multi-coloured go-getters, then more big mines and multi-break shells above, including more go-getters then really big comets and comet mines, more big multi-breaks, then a volley of salutes, then go-getters, another salute volley, more go-getters. This sequence repeated a few times followed by whistles which I think came from mines and then white crossette comets and mines. These were followed by big colour shells and then lots of shaped-burst shells producing rings, then lots of multi-break shells of go-getters, more rings and then some very unusual go-getters. These were quite dim, very small and appeared to dance around in the air like small fireflies, but not flashing. Finally, in this action-packed segment, some big yellow mines.

The next segment began with some yellow coloured vertical spinning wheels with crossed crossette comets. Above these were big colour star shells then big white comet shells. This was followed with a repeating theme of colour star candles, shells of small white comets and then big colour shells. The segment ended with tourbillons and then very large colour shells leading rapdily into the next segment.

This segment began with golden yellow glitter comes and shells of crackling comets and with serene music playing slow falling white stars in close groups when then lead into shells of golden glitter fronds. There were many shells of this type, some of which had colour stars at the ends of the fronds until the sky was completely filled with golden threads. Due to the wind, some of the thread came down to ground level and from where I was seated it was as if I was somehow in the burst of the shell itself since I was completely surrounded by fronds, some of which landed on the ground in front and behind my seat! The segment ended with a barrage of large mines.

The next segment began with a number of fountains fired from within the lake and some fountain set pieces on the ground behind. There were also small star mines fired out of the lake as well and whistles which were apparently fired at the lake. The segment ended with some brilliant orange and blue mines.

The next segment began with sliver glitter comets and then another barrage of mines including some very nice green stars. Above these, big shells of blue stars and white comets and glitter comets. Then shells of colour and glitter comets, some of which ended up in the crowd. Then a rapid sequence of large colour and glitter mines, white comet shells, white comet shells with small slow falling stars, and some crossette comets from candles and then colour and glitter shells. This was followed by a barrage of big mines with white comet shells with small bright white comets and larger more yellow comets and then some great multi-break shells of crossette comets - giving effectively a multi-multi-break! Then mines of tourbillons and white stars. Next candles of colour stars and very big colour and glitter mines with charcoal comet shells terminating in salutes above. Then glitter and tourbillon mines and multi-colour changing big shells above and the blue star and comet shells. This moved rapidly to white crossette comet candles and glitter and colour candles with colour and glitter shells with the special new colours described earlier. Then another great multi-break crossette comet shell and some big colour shells.

The next segment began with glitter comet candles with smallish shells of fireflies above. This repeated with the firefly shells getting larger and larger and then finally some very serene silver glitter comet candles.

The next segment began with colour flares which then strobed with some very big crossed crackling comet mines with shells of the same above and then shells of fireflies. This was followed by more mines and some big colour shells above with bombette colour candles below. Then some really large mines and very large golden glitter frond shells. This mine glitter frond sequence repeated several times and then firefly shells with comets at the side from the ground, again repeated several times. Then crossed glitter comet candles and glitter comet shells above, also repeated, with some very large shells finally ending in firefly shells. Next a mixture of slow falling bright white comet shells and shells with large white comets, followed by big mines and very large colour and comet shells. These were followed by firefly shells.

The finale followed on seamlessly with a barrage of enormous mines and then masses of flower shells and all sorts of shells above - too many to note down - until finally there was a large volley of big titanium salutes and a huge barrage of very closely space dazzlingly bright white comet mines errupting from the centre of the display - so bright that I couldn't see anything for a few seconds afterwards. The huge crowd roared their approval.

This was a truly excellent display. Particularly outstanding was the synchronization to the music, a single piece by Yanni. Also outstanding were some of the colours, some which I haven't seen before. According to Eric Tucker, the president of PPA, many of these were new formulae this year. Another outstanding feature was the sheer complexity of the display. My descriptions really don't do justice to just how much was going on at once. The display was completely digitally controlled, composed of 162 modules which are controlled by a FSK wireless system. This accounts for the flawless synchronization. The only criticism I can think of is that the finale was rather short in comparison to the rest of the display and unfortunately there was a flowerpot of a big shell at the end. This display must certainly be a hot favourite for the gold Jupiter this year.

Canada Celestial Imagery Sunday July 14^th, 1996

Ampleman

A heavy early evening thunderstorm theatened to wash out the home team's display but the clouds cleared away to leave a perfect, though humid, summer evening. However, I think the earlier rain did cause some problems - more on this later. Two things were immediately striking, the size of the crowd and also the amount of product which appeared to be set up on the shoot site. This display promised to be different since it was to be composed of several tableaux, each designed by a different artificier - the French term for a pyrotechnical artist. A laser projector was used to draw a clown-like face to introduce each scene.

The introduction began with glitter candles and mines moving into bombette candles. These were followed by some big colour shells and finally a volley of salutes fired from mines.

The first tableau began with bright strobe pots and two Nigara falls type set pieces - though one of them only partially ignited, probably because of the earlier torrential rain. Then colour star and whistle candles with glitter comet turning to colour shells above. Next, some bright white fountains with bombette candles and also some horizontal wheels. Above these, large colour shells and then more colour candles below and bombettes at the middle level. These then changed to crossed candles and a barrage of mines with a large glitter mine in the centre with comet turning to glitter shells above and comet-to-colour shells also. Finally, a number of firefly shells which ended with a volley of salutes.

The second tableau began with fountains and two girondolas; unfortunately, only one of them made it into the air! Above these were some nice shaped-burst shells which produced dual concentric five-pointed stars and other shapes such as bows and rings. Then a barrage of mines of white electric stars with firefly shells above and then a barrage of tourbillon mines. After this shells of white comets, then colour shells, then shells of charcoal comets turning into colour stars; then glitter comet shells and then silver glitter frond shells. Finally, a barrage of palm-tree effect shells finishing with a number of firefly shells which ended with a volley of salutes.

The third tableau began with golden glitter comet candles and then bombettes. Then a volley of palm-trees followed by large charcoal-to-colour and colour shells above and then whistling salute mines. A barrage of big mines was followed with more bombettes with colour shells above. Then white comet shells and shells with bright white rising comets exploding into colour and glitter moving rapidly into a barrage of blue and gold mines. Several fleur-de-lys shaped setpiece fountains followed with whirly go-getters shells and crossed bombette crackling comets below. Then the fountains turned into a glitter comet set piece which shot out comets at various angles with bombettes above. Next, a mixture of white comets, charcoal comets and fireflies. Then some big colour mines and candles, a volley of salutes and then some very bright white star shells followed by charcoal comet shells. Then a fan-shaped comet set piece and some six-pointed star fountains with glitter comet shells above and coloured tourbillons. Above these, comet-to-colour shells and then colour and tourbillon candles below. Then there was a large barrage of mines with some very big colour shells above and finally a barrage of titanium salutes. Unfortunately though, the music had stopped several seconds before the fireworks at this point.

The fourth tableau began with crossed charcoal comets with charcoal comet-to-colour shells above. Then white comet turning into firefly shells then bright white rising comet shells exploding into tourbillons and blue and gold comets. Then a barrage of golden glitter mines with blue and gold shells above and other colours and gold. Then more mines with some very bright colour shells and tourbillon shells. Next, a barrage of charcoal mines and shells of blue stars and golden glitter fronds followed by white comet to colour shells. Next, white comet to firefly shells and then flower shells. Then some big mines and then mines with stars which broke into a myriad smaller stars of the same colour. Above this, some go-getter shells and then some glitter mines and blue and charcoal shells. Then more big mines with colour shells above and more dual-concentric five pointed stars. Then a barrage of palm trees followed by shells of small bright colour stars with multi-coloured candles below. Then a barrage of many colour, comet, and glitter comet shells. Finally, shells of comets terminating in salutes and some large comet-to-colour shells.

The fourth tableau continued with fountains in the lake with a volley of salutes above. Then mines of whistling tourbillons followed by firefly shells. Then whistling tourbillon mines with multi-break shells above and a volley of salutes. Next shells of crackling comets and then colour stars followed by shells of stars and hummers. Then glitter shells and shells of bright orange stars followed by tourbillon mines, crackling comet mines, vertical spinning wheels, then a volley of salutes and colour shells. These were followed by big comet shells, with glitter comets ending up as fireflies. Next blue and gold shells with a sort of go-getter effect but slow, and a strange square fountain set piece which was difficult to see for smoke. Then palm tree shells with very bright rising comet trunks, followed by white comet shells, a volley of salutes, some glitter frond shells and some multi-break fast go-getter colour shells. Next, a barrage of mines with colour shells above and then a line of fountains on the ground. Above these, mines of white comets ending in salutes and also firefly and whistle shells and glitter and colour shells. Then some very large glitter and colour shells which ended up as very fast flashing, very bright strobe stars. These were followed by shaped bursts of double rings and double five-pointed stars followed by big flower shells and a volley of salutes.

The fifth tableau began with some very large flares and fountains in the centre followed by colour bombettes and crossette candles. Then mines of the myriad break stars with go-getter shells above. Next, some strobe pots with big colour shells above and some go-getters. Then comet-to-colour shells and multi-break shells of the myriad break stars followed by electric spreader shells which ended up as glitter fronds. Then some shaped-bursts and multi-break glitter fronds shells followed by glitter turning into firefly shells. Next silver glitter frond turning into colour star shells with the finale to this segment of the tableau being a large number of multi-break glitter frond shells and multi-break crackling fronds shells.

The fifth tableau continued with whistles and hummers with crossette candles and tourbillons. Then shells of the blue and charcoal slow go-getters. Then sliver glitter comet shells and white comet shells, followed by multi-break shells of colour ending in crackling stars and shells of tourbillons. Then flower type shells and more comet-to-colour shells followed by electric spreader shells ending in fireflies. Next some large charcoal comet to colour shells with colour mines below with horizontal comet and star candles then more big colour shells, more mines, then glitter frond shells and lots of whistles.

The finale began with big glitter mines, tourbillon salute mines, and whistling mines. Then big white comet shells, multi-breaks, big flower shells, more tourbillon salutes, electric spreader shells, huge mines and then a large volley of titanium salutes. Then there were some more colour and glitter shells which were anti-climatic to the salute volley.

This was an unusal display in that it lasted almost 40 minutes, plus it used lasers to animate a face to introduce each tableau. However, the nature of the display was naturally disjoined, which was a negative feature in my opinion. Also, the synchronization to the music ranged from good to downright lousy - especially in the finale when stuff kept going for a while after the music and after the final salute volley. Also, some stuff was still going off sporadically a few minutes later. These problems may have been caused by the earlier rain. With tighter presentation, this display would have been very enjoyable but I left with a feeling of anti-climax. However, this display was much better than the Ampleman display I saw in 1993.

La Ronde Colours of Life Thursday July 18^th, 1996

Industria Panzera

A perfect summer's evening was the setting for the closing ceremony in the 1996 competition. Rather than report in detail on the display, I decided to take a number of photos which I will scan-in - assuming they turn out. So I'll just present a description which will give a flavour of the display, rather than a detailed account.

The most memorable aspect of the display was the quality of the Roman candles used. They were simply incredible with simple colour stars, glitter comets, bombette and crossette comets and amazing crackling comets. The height the stars achieved was simply breathtaking - it must have been over 200 feet in many cases.

Another memorable item which was used extensively was a type of multi-break shell. These shells, which incidentally were enormous, would break at medium altitude into many smaller shells which, after a few seconds, would burst simultaneously, filling the sky with a criss-cross tracery of comets and then, a few seconds later, one, or more, flower shells would explode. According to the press release, the largest of these shells weighed in at around 30 kg (approximately 70 pounds).

The theme of the display was "Colours of Life" and there were some beautiful candles used which emitted rainbow coloured stars to illustrate the theme. Typically throughout the display, there would be large candles at the bottom, medium altitude colour shells and larger shells or multi-breaks at the highest level.

There was one very interesting segment in which multiple objects were fired from either candles or angled mines directly into the lake; after a few seconds, these objects burst into life as brilliant white fountains!

There were a couple of segments with golden glitter frond shells but these were a little different to normal. In one case, the fronds contained very small firefly type stars which gave an incredibly beautiful effect of golden threads containing sparkling diamonds. Another type had the fronds turn into white comets at the end of their burn.

Another memorable use of candles was a segment which had a mixture of white comets and almost deafening screaming tourbillons. Actually, there were many segments of different types of tourbillon from slow spinning types which hissed loudly to faster spinning ones terminating in salutes.

The finale was just incredible. Once again, candles were put to great use, the most memorable in this instance being incredibly bright white silver comets. Above these were many many shells of the same type of comets. Then the pace quickened with huge crackling comet candles and a vast assortment of colour, glitter and comet shells above also containing vast numbers of salutes and titanium salutes. The noise and pace were just incredible and built into crescendo. Then there was a moments silence and finally the launch of dozens of shells which burst into a tumultuous barrage of deafening salutes, the final part of which must have consisted of hundreds of explosions in less than a second. The noise was so incredible and the light so fantastic that my ears were ringing for quite a few minutes afterwards and it was difficult to see in the darkness to dismantle my camera. The audience, which was the largest of the season, reacted with screams and shouts of appreciation to the climax and end of the 1996 competition.

This was a tremendous display and a fitting end to a memorable competition. The overall quality of the displays this year was amazing. Somehow, year after year, this competition just gets better. According to Eric Tucker, of Performance Pyrotechnic Associates, Gold Jupiter winner this year, a display which would have won a Gold Jupiter six or seven years ago would rank pretty close to last this year. An announcement was made that the 13th edition of the competition will run next year.

1996 Competition Results

• Gold Jupiter: USA Performance Pyrotechnic Associates
• Silver Jupiter Spain Pyrotecnia Igual
• Bronze Jupiter Germany Weco Pyrotechnische Fabrik
• Special Jupiter Pierre Walder - Musical director of the closing show and many other shows in the competition

Official 1996 results press release

U.S. "Nouveau Classique" receives Gold Jupiter at La Ronde

Montréal, July 18^th, 1996 - For this 12th edition of the Benson & Hedges International, it was the explosive U.S. "Nouveau Classique", presented on July 11th, that won the popular jury's favour, along with the coveted Gold Jupiter. This prestigious pyrotechnic honour was bestowed on the team of Performance Pyrotechnic Associates by Benson & Hedges representative Yvon Rancourt. The Spanish firm Pyroténia Igual received the Silver Jupiter and first-time participant Weco Pyrotechnische Fabrik, of Germany, captured the Bronze with its "Time Travel".

Eric Tucker's penchant for risk-taking once again allowed him to walk away with his 6th Jupiter at the Benson & Hedges International. In "Nouveau Classique", he and his Performance Pyrotechnic Associates team dared to present an action-packed fireworks show adapted entirely to a single 33-minute 32-second musical score by Greek composer Yanni Chrysomallis. We won't soon forget that wave of white rockets at the edge of Lac des Dauphins that took us by surprise during the last few seconds of the show!

The Spanish firm, Pyroténia Igual, which launched the 100th firework [display] of the Benson & Hedges International, achieved a dazzling feat with its show Siempre España. Each of the seven magnificent segments presented featured a story, numerous crescendos, as well as magnificent water bombs that gave that very special evening a real fiesta atmosphere.

Lastly, the Bronze Jupiter was awarded to the German firm Weco Pyrotechnische Fabrik. On June 30th, this new competitor at the Benson & Hedges International put on a very impressive performance, with a wide variety of musical pieces and numerous special effects. Founded in 1948, this firm specializes in the production of special effects for theatre.

For its part, the Société du Parc Des Îles presented, for the fourth consecutive year, its Special Jupiter to underline the contribution of an indivual or firm to the development of pyrotechnic art. The recipient was Pierre Walder, who, as musical director of the closing shows and many other shows in the competition, "has, through the most famous pyromusical event in the world", said Société President Nycol Pageau-Goyette.

The Jupiter awards ceremony was followed by La Ronde's closing fireworks show, presented by the competition's artistic director, Giovanni Panzera. True to form, the master protechnist dazzled his many fans with a rainbow of "Couleurs de la vie", setting the tone for the 13th Edition, which is already in the works.

It should be noted that the 12th Edition has expanded the horizons of this competition with the contributions of newcomers Weco Pyrotechnische Fabrik of Germany and Foti's International Fireworks of Australia, and that a total of 9 firms participated in what continues to be the world's most prestigious pyrotechnic art competition.

Source, Christine Mitton, Public Relations Director, Société du Parc Des Îles.