Hey guys,

It has been just over a month's time since the conclusion of the 27th edition of the Montreal fireworks competition, and I thought that it would now be appropriate for us to begin making predictions as to what we may expect for the 2012 season. In your predictions, you may consider participating countries and their representing firms, potential themes, as well as the overall structure of the schedule (i.e. the number of entrants, total number of displays, the presence of an opening show, etc.). You are also free to share any rumors that you may have heard! Additionally, you are welcome to post your personal wishes as to which competitors you'd like to see.

I haven't yet come up with anything myself, but I will post my predictions in the near future. I've heard rumors, however, that Italy (Vaccalluzzo) will be amongst the participants next year.

Other than that, expect July-like weather for today (Friday, September 2nd) and this Labor Day weekend. Severe weather is also possible for both Saturday and Sunday (I will ongoingly be providing details for this on Facebook). Unfortunately, this could very well be our last chance to experience real Summer weather (and severe thunderstorms), so be sure to enjoy it, especially given that this is the Labor Day weekend (best days to enjoy are both today and Saturday)! As for what we can expect this Fall, we should see a generally average season in terms of temperature and precipitation, although rainfall amounts could still be exceeding the monthly norms. We could, however, be facing another typical Winter for 2011-2012, partly due to the re-emergence of La Nina (a weaker version of this past year's). More details on Fall and Winter later on.

So, what are YOUR predictions and/or wishes for the 2012 Montreal fireworks competition?

Trav.

Ah, no predictions this year?

Here are my personal predictions for the 2012 fireworks season:

Italy: Vaccalluzzo (or I.P.O.N SRL?)
China: Sunny International
Argentina: Fuegos Artificiales Jupiter
Spain: Pirotecnia Caballer
Australia: Foti International Fireworks
Portugal: Grupo Luso Pirotecnia
Canada: Garden City Display Fireworks (or maybe Fireworks Spectaculars?)
United States: Atlas Pyrovision Productions
France: Brezac Artifices (maybe Groupe F?)
Closing: Panzera S.A.S

That's my personal listing as to who I think will compete for 2012. Some of those competitors listed are also a part of my wishes as well, especially considering that I've never seen Italy, Spain and Portugal compete in the same year before! For Canada, I am assuming an outside-Quebec firm to appear, since, in recent years, we've seen alternating Quebec and non-Quebec firms. For the United States, I hope to see Atlas, although the selected company may very well be a new one. I would really love Pirotecnia Caballer to return, should Spain have a spot on the list, and it would be fantastic for Grupo Luso Pirotecnia to fire another display at Montreal, especially after the disappointing results in 2008. It's possible that Japan and Germany may make appearances, too. Over the years, I've been wondering if I'll ever again see I.P.O.N SRL in Montreal for Italy, but should Italy participate in 2012, and I.P.O.N SRL is not the representing firm, I would really love to see what Vaccalluzzo can do, especially given the positive feedback I've been reading about them in recent years concerning their displays! Seeing Groupe F for France would also be a real delight.

As for the schedule structure, I have a feeling that we will retain a one display per week scenario for the first three weeks before having bi-weekly performances thereafter. I'm sure that there will be a 30-minute closing show and that Panzera will devise it, along with the awards ceremony taking place just before the closing display on the same night. Hopefully, there will not be a tribute display in between the competion, but I am wondering if there may be an opening. Given my list, I am, of course, assuming 10 displays.

All that said, I think the biggest challenge that is yet to come is to predict the dominant weather patterns during each display! Hopefully, we will have a perfect weather record for 2012, as we did in 2004.

Trav.

Here's my predictions for the 2012 edition but they are more like wishes

Italy - Vaccalluzzo
Spain - Ricasa
South Korea - Hanwha
China - Dancing Fireworks
England - Jubilee Fireworks
France - Pyragric
Argentina - Jupiter
U.S.A - pyrotecnico
Germany - I.P. Innovative
Portugal - Luso Pirotecnia

Vander

I'm guessing that we'll be hearing news about the 2012 schedule sometime soon?

Trav.

Are there any other personal predictions before the new schedule is revealed?

Trav.

i wonder when the 2012 schedule will be announced? it seems pretty late this year...

I recall that the "full" schedule was released on the forum until early February last year. However, we at least had some insight as to the participating countries well before then. I guess things are different this year, but this does serve to keep the anticipation mood flowing during these frosty, dark months!

Trav.

I can't say anything, but there is a very good reason why the schedule was not released early this year.

Nothing to worry about, though. Stay tuned !

I can't say anything, but there is a very good reason why the schedule was not released early this year.

You're teasing us! We're all desperate to find out when and who is competing this year!

Paul.

Schedule will be out on February 15th. Keep your bets open !

there is a very good reason why the schedule was not released early this year.

I'm really wondering what the "very good reason" is! If it's a good reason, then it should be obvious, but I can't put my finger on it! Ah well, all will be revealed on February 15th, as Mylene stated above, so I'll just play guessing games until then!

Well, we've arrived in February, and I am more than delighted to say that January is FINISHED. We can also now freely say that Spring is next month, although I'm hoping for some good news from the groundhogs tomorrow!

Cheers,

Trav.

According to La Ronde's 2012 calendar, I'm assuming below is the schedule:

June 30 (Sat)
July 7 (Sat)
July 14 (Sat)
July 17 (Tue)
July 21 (Sat)
July 24 (Tue)
July 27 (Fri)
July 31 (Tue)
August 3 (Fri)

A total of 9 shows.

The schedule will be out in 2 days?

I saw on Mylene's blog that there will/might be a new country... I'm guessing that would be Russia represented by Khan Fireworks.

Vander

I just heard from Martyne Gagnon that the schedule announcement has been postponed until February 22nd!

However, if you go to this site: http://www.croisieresaml.com/fr/_destinationproduit.php?iddest=9&idpro d=62&idprodparent=55 then you'll get a hint of what may well be the countries participating. Of course, none of this is guaranteed to be accurate!!

Paul.

If that was an accurate list of countries, it looks like a very interesting line up!

Vander