Better Than The Average Backyard Fireworks Show
When the Polish Pyros blow off some steam you can hear it all over town
July 30, 2006
By: Stephen Kent
Bay City is famous for the great Fourth Of July Fireworks extravaganza. But did you know that there's a second show each summer that's at least as much fun? If you were anywhere in town last Saturday night you probably guessed it because the boom of big fireworks could be heard for miles around and the sky out by the bay flashed like a lightening storm was just over the horizon.
MyBayCity.com reported on the Fourth show and did a feature on the
Polish Pyros, a local, licensed fireworks club that sets up and fires shows all over the country. Each year the Pyros also get together out on Bangor Road, almost at the Saginaw Bay, and have a little fun with their own show. Everyone in the area seems to know about it. The roads are lined with cars and all the local residents have parties going in their back yards.
As for the Pyros, they set up the show in a big open field behind Sandy and Dave's house. There's a live band or two, lots of picnics, plenty of people, and even a little dancing. If you were within a mile or so of the event you could listen to the festivities on a low power FM radio station.
MyBayCity.com set up their camera at the end of the Rail Trail, just off of State Street. Even at that distance the sound of kids playing and the occasional cheer from the crowd drifted across the fields where a low fog was gathering in the humid evening.
Shortly after 10:00 pm the band played their last song and the announcer on the radio station called the 50/50 drawing for the evening. A few dozen people had set up lawn chairs on the Rail Trail and a couple of trucks had ventured into the open field. Behind us, at a house was festively decorated with rope lights on the deck and a group of people reclined after a bar-b-que to watch the show. In the distance other houses and other groups settled in to wait.
The show kicked off with a long salute of firecrackers shot low. Over the trees the entire sky took on a brilliant white glow as the low level fireworks were set off. Nothing but the light could be seen over the trees on the far edge of the field.
Following the low stuff there was a short pause allowing the crowd on the rail trail to remember to feed the mosquitoes. Then the night seemed to erupt with the familiar booms of the explosive salutes. Rockets lit the sky and soon the show was in full blossom.
Compared to Bay City's finale to the Fourth, this show was short... probably less than 30 minutes. But every minute was packed with fire and excitement. As the last shots went off the appreciative roar of the crowd drifted over the trees and car horns, plus a few boat horns, could be heard from around the area.
What a party for Mid-Michigan's fireworks capital! Here are a few pictures from the evening.
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