Hi Fred (and everyone),
Happy 10th anniversary! You really beat me to it, but I thank you for starting this accomplished thread! Initially, I was going to submit the thread once the new year arrived, but it was, however, more appropriate for this time of the year, since this was the time when some of the first users had become registered as members a decade ago. Nevertheless, I have my thoughts outlined:
The Montreal fireworks competition has been such an influential event in our lives and quickly became a very dominant Summertime tradition for me (and many others, I'm sure) since the early 90s, when my passion for the competition increased immensely. Though my absolute favorite years for this competition will forever remain with the 90s through to 2004, Montreal fireworks (and fireworks, in general) continue to be one of my greatest passions and inspirations.
Prior to discovering this forum, I recall anxiously browsing for a website that would cover this competition, at least to some extent. Upon my initial search, this website was one of the first websites that was returned. Once clicking on that link, I was initially directed to the photograph section, and I rapidly became so immersed in the photos supplied by Bob Burch and Steve Austin. Then, I noticed a "reports" section and soon learned that someone (Paul!) was covering the displays and describing each section/segment of the performances in such great detail! From that point onwards, I regularly visited this website. By the end of June 2003, as Fred noted, this forum came into existence. Here, in addition to reading Paul's reports, I began looking through the thoughts of several others concerning each display, and this fueled my desire to contribute to the various discussions held, as well as offering me the opportunity to submit my curiosities and questions concerning the competition! Though I did not become a registered member until August 4th, 2003 (I still remember the day), I posted my comments anonymously (anonymous posting was still enabled at that time, until the beginning of 2006) towards the end of July that year. I had slowly become acquainted with members present at the time, as well as with some of those who posted in the “Guestbook” section, a section that had been removed for many years now. At the same time, like Fred and Vander stated, this website also served as a useful tool for me to become more familiar with pyrotechnic terminology, which later facilitated our discussions by appropriately describing relevant effects in various reviews/commentaries.
Among some of the first posters that I came into contact with was Enkil, at the end of July 2003, and I remember our first little conversation on the forum concerning weather, that is, the possibility of rain occurring for the closing show that year! Shortly thereafter, we became close! I also remember holding conversations with Paul, Fred, and Roger. By 2004, the forum had been introduced to so many new members, including Pierre, who had kindly shared all of his finale videos with us into August of that year! As the years progressed, we became acquainted with Dan, Lars, Jerome, Sean, Tyler, Vander, Rovira, Mylene, Simon, and Pat.
Because of the significant impact of weather on fireworks, this forum quickly transpired into a means for me to share meteorological information for each fireworks display and meant that it was possible to bridge together my interest for both weather and fireworks. By the Summer of 2004, the first formal weather thread was created (with some help from Paul for an appropriate title), where Enkil and myself provided some preliminary and broad weather details corresponding to each fireworks night. In time, it gradually became customary to hold conversations pertaining to the weather, especially near and on fireworks nights! Learning from forecast errors over the years also heavily assisted me to improve in weather forecasting, so I do owe a fair amount of my knowledge and expanding interest in meteorology and climate through postings on this forum!
Although members have come and gone over the years, it is always a pleasure to see that so many continue to be active on the forum, even in the bleakness of Fall and Winter. I especially thank everyone for continuing to post their reviews and comments concerning each display, as well as to our photographers, Bob, Steve, and Rachel, for continuously sharing their exquisite photos. A special thanks to Bob Burch for also posting full-length videos since 2010 for everyone to view! Paul, a very, very big thanks to you for faithfully keeping this forum active for all of these years, for bringing us insightful inside information for each display (among other things), and for making conversation amongst members possible. With every year that passes, I feel increasingly privileged to be a part of montreal-fireworks.com!
A continued faithful member,
Trav.
