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Lavish pyrotechnics to light the 4th of July

By Meg Olson

Opening with a red crackling comet and five rounds of red flash artillery, and ending with an onslaught of titanium salutes with tourbillons and crackling flowers, Blaine’s Fourth of July fireworks show promises to dazzle.

In approximately one half-hour, pyrotechnicians from Western International Fireworks in Canby, Oregon will set off 545 shells: cascades, diadems, chrysanthemums and peonies in every color of the rainbow - and some you won’t find there. Many of the shells on the menu have names as colorful as the sparks they will shoot across Blaine Marine Park: green ring with dragon eggs, silver dancing bee with strobe tail, sapphire blue twitter glitter and kiddy fishes in crowds.

“They’re a class act,” said Blaine Chamber of Commerce president Pam
Christianson, who has led the fundraising juggernaut to bring the $10,000 extravaganza to cap off Blaine’s Independence Day celebrations. “It’s going to be quite a show.”

Leading up to the fireworks, a day of community activities is planned at Resort Semiahmoo. “Come and visit us,” said resort communications director Laura Zimmerman. “We’ve got a full day of events scheduled, activities catering to children and adults.”

Bicycle, inline skates and kayak rentals are available all day, and sailing and kayaking tours of nearby waters will run all afternoon. Food, music, performers and games will line the resort’s boardwalk until sundown
After a salmon barbecue for dinner and a bonfire on the beach listening to American Indian stories, all revelers need to do is lie back to have a perfect seat for the fireworks.

The Plover Ferry will run passengers from the resort to Blaine Harbor from noon to 8 p.m. Those who want to stay on the Blaine side can still set up a picnic in Blaine Marine Park, as long as they stay clear of the fireworks launching area on the beach behind the amphitheater, Christianson said.

Fireworks start at 10 p.m. Christianson said the chamber is still raising money to pay for the show and she hopes community members will be dazzled into helping out and ensuring the Blaine fireworks keep getting bigger and better.

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