It would also be neat if JNS Pyrotechniek of Holland could return

Neat, but impossible. The company closed down in 2004 - their entry in the special 20th edition of the competition was their last big bang.

As for companies representing Canada, I would be very surprised if it's Ampleman as Ampleman is part of Groupe FiatLux now and had displays this year and last year (albeit out of competition). I wouldn't be surprised if we have the return of Garden State or another non-Quebec company like Archangel (who have won several other competitions recently).

As for schedule, I have a feeling we may return to a more traditional one with the final display being in July. There was some talk of this at the closing ceremony this year, but I don't know more than that.

For other competitors, I know that Foti would like to return, as would Atlas Pyrovision Productions - I'd certainly be happy if either/both of these were to come back. I have a feeling, as well, that we'll have a new Chinese competitor too - if visits to the firing ramps are anything to go by I don't think Weco would compete again - they've won everything - though it could be possible to have them do a closing show I think. For Italy, I'd love to see Vaccalluzzo compete.

Finally, next year, I doubt I will be able to attend all the displays due to some family commitments in June so I'll have to find someone to help with the team interviews

Paul.

Finally, next year, I doubt I will be able to attend all the displays due to some family commitments in June so I'll have to find someone to help with the team interviews

Don't you have Mylène at hand for that already ?


As for schedule, I have a feeling we may return to a more traditional one with the final display being in July. There was some talk of this at the closing ceremony this year, but I don't know more than that.

I have mixed feelings about that. I personnally like it when the fireworks season lasts from June to August, like the two previous years.

Isn't that easier on La Ronde's team, also ?

I know they almost always did 2 displays per week and have a technique down to be able to manage that, but by having only one, they don't have to switch all the time between their workshop on the Ile Notre-Dame and the one close to the firing ramps.

Moreso, they wouldn't have the opportunity to postpone a display should the weather be inclement if the 2 displays per week formula is back, as the other team *is* waiting for the firing ramps to be cleared for them to start working. I know that they always fired no matter what, but now at least they have the occasion to postpone if the wind is that much threatening.

Well, we'll see soon enough !

I have mixed feelings about that. I personnally like it when the fireworks season lasts from June to August, like the two previous years.

Isn't that easier on La Ronde's team, also ?

I know they almost always did 2 displays per week and have a technique down to be able to manage that, but by having only one, they don't have to switch all the time between their workshop on the Ile Notre-Dame and the one close to the firing ramps.

Moreso, they wouldn't have the opportunity to postpone a display should the weather be inclement if the 2 displays per week formula is back, as the other team *is* waiting for the firing ramps to be cleared for them to start working. I know that they always fired no matter what, but now at least they have the occasion to postpone if the wind is that much threatening.

The current schedule is clearer and easier to communicate than the previous ones. However, I would like to resume to the traditional schedule with two displays per week in late July/early August. In addition to reduce the frequency of my roundtrips between Quebec City and Montreal, it would leave more room (more weekends) to the fanatics for other activities than fireworks. It's not easy to deal with a stretched schedule keeping us busy every Saturday nights for the whole season.

The "opportunity" to postpone a display is clearly not an idea from La Ronde's people, but one from the Six Flags' headquarter. Such scenario is the last thing La Ronde (and its public service partners) wants to deal with because it would be an organizational nightmare.

This policy didn't prevent the launch of Pyromagic's display in 2009, as we experienced rain and thunderstorm in background. One person from Six Flags' corporate was at La Ronde that night. Following the show, I asked one of La Ronde's directors about this issue, and the person told me, with a large smile: "We did it!"

Fred

Neat, but impossible. The company closed down in 2004 - their entry in the special 20th edition of the competition was their last big bang.

Yes, I now remember you stating this previously to Sean (Firemaster) a couple of years ago. It's a pity, though, as JNS Pirotechniek was a wonderful addition to the competition.

I have mixed feelings about that. I personnally like it when the fireworks season lasts from June to August, like the two previous years.

I must concur. Having a "once a week" schedule structure allows the competition to span as far as mid-August (and therefore expanding the overall duration) while slightly cutting the wait between seasons. Furthermore, I think this strategy works reasonably well as it, assuming generally suitable weather conditions, enhances attendance at La Ronde (and elsewhere around the park) since all of the displays conveniently take place on Saturdays - this would offer an increased flexibility for people to attend (including those from out of town), especially considering the added incentive of other Summer festivities that would be taking place in conjunction with fireworks days.

To manage a such scenario is the last one La Ronde (and its public service partners) wants to deal with because it would be an organizational nightmare.

This policy didn't prevent the launch of Pyromagic's display in 2009, as we experienced rain and thunderstorm in background.

It is still surprising, to me at least, that that display was permitted to go on with a strong thunderstorm taking place, including right over the firing site. It's not the first time that has happened either.

Trav.

It is still surprising, to me at least, that that display was permitted to go on with a strong thunderstorm taking place, including right over the firing site. It's not the first time that has happened either.

Surprising, maybe; spectacular, for sure!

I don't know how over the firing site the thunderstorm actually was, but it looked more in background than above the display. One more issue was wind speed: crew members were informed at 9:45pm that wind speed was going to increase 45 minutes later. That led to the decision to start the show at 9:55pm. It ended at 10:25pm and the wind speed actually increased about 5 minutes later!

Fred

Surprising, maybe; spectacular, for sure!

Absolutely. Bob Burch's fireworks-lightning photographs certainly do that sort of spectacle duo justice. The fairly recent video I posted in the "Thunderstorm vs. Fireworks" thread was also a prime example of that spectacular duality.

I don't know how over the firing site the thunderstorm actually was, but it looked more in background than above the display.

Yes, most of the lightning discharges could be seen vividly in the background to the West and Southwest, but there were later some that had occurred close enough to the firing site to be a cause for concern given the high luminosity associated with a few of the flashes, namely mid-way into the show and onwards.

I guess what I'm addressing are the lightning safety protocols, especially when taking into account a massive outdoor event. Recall that during this Summer, on July 17th, an elderly couple was struck by lightning on Notre-Dame street and were dealt serious internal and external burn injuries from the CG (cloud to ground) strike. Thankfully, they both survived!

And you're right, the winds were an additional issue on and off that day due to the intense circulatory flow of the low pressure system, but luckily they had only picked up shortly after the conclusion of the display.

Edit: Speaking of weather, I'm sincerely hoping that my predictions (please refer to the weather thread for details) are to a large extent incorrect about this coming Winter! And don't forget to set your clocks one hour back tonight before you go to bed as we now are reverting to standard time until the second week of March.

Trav.

i just saw on facebook that howards and sons will be joining next year!

vander

I confirm that clicking on Facebook icone from Howards & Sons' website, we get the following message on their "wall":

Howard & Sons Pyrotechnics after the gold medal performance at the recent Delhi CWG ceremonies, Howard & Sons are going for Gold at the upcoming Oman World Fireworks Championships and will be going for Gold at the Compétition Internationale d'Art Pyrotechnique de Montréal in 2011. These are the biggest and toughest pyromusical competitions in th...e world.

The crew is doing its morning Yoga, midday Workouts and night time testing in preparations for the competitions.

This message was posted on their wall yesterday.

I don't remember any contestant who has released this kind of information before the organizers. I'm not sure it's the right way to use Web 2.0...

Fred

i just saw on facebook that howards and sons will be joining next year!

If that is in fact the case, then it is with a fair possibility that at least one of my predictions, as far as countries and firms are concerned, is correct!

Thank you for the posting, Vander. If you, or anyone, see or hear anything more, please do not hesitate to share!

Compétition Internationale d'Art Pyrotechnique de Montréal.

What a catchy way to title our competition.

Trav.

Shinsyu Enka for montreal 2011! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX99VAg0Uuk

or

Beniya Aoki http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SxAilFvn_o

Vander

Hi Ali,

Wow, we seem to have a similar mindset.

I, too, am a huge Spain fireworks fan, and as I had stated in my predictions, I would like to see Vicente Caballer return to compete as the representative firm for 2011. Of course, I (and others, I'm sure) would more than love to see the long-awaited IPON SRL for Italy. I also noticed the pattern of Italy's appearances in recent years, but, as you say, it is possible that that trend could be discontinued as of next year. And yes, I personally also want to see a tribute display to Michael Jackson, Montreal style!

Trav.

Travis,

Ali shares the same exact thoughts as you because he/she/it quoted your exact message. It may be a spam bot, as all of its 4 messages are random bits of previous posts in the topic.

STL

Ali shares the same exact thoughts as you because he/she/it quoted your exact message. It may be a spam bot, as all of its 4 messages are random bits of previous posts in the topic.

I was under the impression that something sounded odd! It looks like I was talking to myself by responding to that message.

Thanks for pointing that out, STL.

Edit: Yes, I now see all of the quotes from the previous messages put together into the post.

Trav.

I've deleted "Ali / Annabel" from the system now. It's constant battle to fight spammers!

Paul

I've deleted "Ali / Annabel" from the system now. It's constant battle to fight spammers!

Paul