It was a spectacular way to begin the eight-day fireworks extravaganza, with bold colours bursting in the night time air, cascading into the darkness to hardy applause of the Timmins spectators who showed their appreciation.
Team France was the first to display the artistry of their fireworks, and they did not disappoint.
The fireworks display by Team France was provided by Féérie Feux D’Artifices, Saint-Herblain, France.
On Sunday night, it was Team Italy represented by Ipon Fireworks of Ottaviano, Naples, Italy.
For 20 minutes on Saturday and Sunday night, the people of Timmins watched in awe, both inside the Stars and Thunder venue and a throng of people clustered outside at Hollinger Park by Gillies Lake along Brunette Road, in the Park St. Mall parking lot, the Food Basic, library and museum parking lot.
The eight International fire works display is organized by David Whysall and his Canadian fireworks company, who are veterans with years experience holding fireworks festivals in Timmins, South Porcupine, Toronto’s Symphony of Fire.
“This is the first time a firework display of this magnitude, over eight days, has ever been held anywhere in the world,” Whysall declared.
“And I have participated in firework shows all around the world in places like England, Malaysia and Vietnam,” he added
“Fireworks have been my life so I have been involved with them for over 40 years,” Whysall said. “This particular company was incorporated about in 1999, but we were doing fireworks way before that.”
On whether the show will go on without a hitch, Whysall responded: “Well there's always problems that occur, the weather certainly is one; when we arrived, it was raining.”
“While setting up some of the material for the fireworks show it was windy,” Whysall said. “There are always problems, but you overcome the problems, and work-around them.”
You would think that having been involved with the fireworks business for so long, Whysall has seen it all.
But Whysall said he is still learning new things.
“I’m still learning and I love talking to the team members from the various counties, because the are always developing new approaches,” Whysall said.
“It’s 'interesting, because every country has their own style,” he said. “We have done many International competitions but this is the first time we have actually organized one,” Whysall explained.
“Each Team will put on a spectacular show, and I'm sure the people of Timmins will enjoy it,” Whysall said with confidence.
Whysall’s company, David Whysall Fireworks, is based near Orangeville, Ontario, and it was involved with the Symphony of Fire fireworks displays at Ontario Place for many years.
They will be representing Canada at the Stars and Thunder International Fireworks competition on the Canada Day finale on Saturday, July 1, the 150th anniversary of Canada.
In addition, Whysall is well familiar with Timmins and South Porcupine, as he has been providing the fireworks for Canada Day and the Porcupine Winter Carnival.
Was this the first time to hold fireworks from atop of open pit mining berm?
“We actually have held fireworks from the top of that man-made mount in South Porcupine, that was part of the Goldcorp Dome operation,” said Whysall. “So we have done something similar before.”
Sunday night's fireworks were provided by Team Italy represented by Ipon Fireworks, Ottaviano, Naples, Italy.
The fireworks for the remainder of the competition are as follows:
Monday June 26 - Team Finland represented by Oy Pyroman Finland, Espoo, Finland.
Tuesday June 27 - Team Ukraine represented by Dance of Fire, Kiev, Ukraine.
Wednesday June 28 - Team China represented by Hefung Fireworks Limited, Hepu, Guangxi, China
Thursday June 29 - Team Brazil represented by Fireworks do Brasil, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Friday June 30 -Team U.K. represented by Titanium Fireworks, Cambridge, England
Saturday July 1 - Fireworks display by Team Canada represented by David Whysall International Fireworks Inc.
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Editor's note: TimminsToday will have more coverage, including video, of Sunday night's fireworks later today.
