The Durango Fire Protection District will be providing a fireworks show starting at dusk Friday night. Fire Marshal Karola Hanks and Executive Director of the Durango Business Improvement District Tim Walsworth answered questions about this year’s fireworks display.
How much will the show cost?
“$10,000,” Walsworth said.
How does that compare to previous years?
“I wasn’t in this position last year, but it was about $15,000. Last year it was funded by BP,” Walsworth said.
Who pays for it?
“The city will pay roughly half of the $10,000,” Walsworth said. “The Business Improvement District also recruited other sponsors, which include: The city of Durango, of course, the BID, The Durango Chamber of Commerce, Bank of Colorado, the Wells Group of Durango, The Durango Area Tourism Office, Legacy Properties West Sotheby’s International Realty, Stewart Title of Durango, Keller Williams Realty and an anonymous donor.
Will there be musical offerings?
“As soon as the parade is over there’s a street dance with a live band in the block between Eighth and Ninth Street,” Walsworth said. “The band is called the High Rollers and will play right when the parade ends until the fireworks starts. As soon as the parade is over, get to that block.”
Where and when to watch?
“Well, if you ask me, I’d say downtown, but anywhere you can see downtown or can look west towards the cemetery is good,” Walsworth said. “The college rim (Rim Drive), the Tech Center and the Durango Silverton & Narrow Gauge Railroad are also popular options. The fireworks are scheduled to start at about 9:15 p.m.”
What’s happening this year with the downtown parade?
“I’m happy to tell you that I have 45 entries this year; we had about 25 last year,” Walsworth said. “BID has put up some prize money for the best entries as a way to encourage the businesses and organizations to put a little more thought and effort into their entries.”
How many fireworks in Durango’s show this year?
“Six hundred and fifty-eight, and it’s about a 20-minute show,” Hanks said.
How are the fireworks set off?
“A year ago, the gentleman who owned Peak Energy donated money to the fire department to make the fireworks safer,” Hanks said. “We purchased an electronic firing board, and we pre-wire the fireworks throughout the day. It’s done to keep the crew safe. We keep the fireworks in a special unit.”
Are there safety precautions for setting off fireworks?
“Yes, I do not allow anyone other than the firework team closer than 600 feet from the fireworks, so if there is a misfire, no one is in danger of being hit,” Hanks said. “We also electronically fire so that eliminates that danger.”
Firefighters received special training and a certification. Also, cemetery grounds will be sprayed with water before launching fireworks to avoid fire danger, she said. Keep in mind that fireworks that launch into the air or make loud noises, are illegal, so that’s why the Durango Fire Protection District offers this event to the public, she said.
vguthrie@durangoherald.com
An earlier version of this story misstated the name of Peak Energy.
