Michigan City LaPorte
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Pyrotechnics Guild International's 2012 Annual Fireworks Spectacular

06/07/2012

LaPorte, IN (June 7, 2012) - Pyrotechnics Guild International Brings 2012 Annual Fireworks Spectacular Displays to LaPorte County Fairgrounds

The Pyrotechnics Guild International Inc. (PGI) will hold its annual fireworks convention "Fire In the Sky" at The LaPorte County Fairgrounds, 2581 W. State Rd 2, LaPorte from August 12^th through August 17^th

The PGI is an international organization with more than 3,500 members, dedicated to the artistry, preservation and enjoyment of fireworks. During the PGI's weeklong convention, the general public is invited to enjoy the most spectacular and amazing fireworks displays in the world. Tickets are available at the LaPorte County Visitors and Convention Bureau, Marquette Mall.  4073 S. Franklin Street, Michigan City or online sales at  MichiganCityLaPorte.com.   Call 800.634.2650 for more information.    A half-off early bird special is available for the August 14 and 15 shows through July 15, 2012.

With four nights of displays, each night promises to be a unique program of true pyrotechnic artistry. "Fire in the Sky" promises to be the largest series of displays ever presented by the PGI.  Fireworks will be presented in both the air and at ground level and grandstand seating is the best way to enjoy the show.

August 12, 2012, Sunday evening's display begins at 9pm, with PGI's Grand Opening Display and the first of four display nights in LaPorte.  PGI will be ready to impress LaPorte County with Fire In the Sky's opening night. The National Anthem, produced by Heartland Pyrotechnic  Arts Association, Inc. one of the oldest fireworks clubs around, and Indiana's hometown team, leads  the night's lineup. The second display, The Chicago Lights, an unofficial club from the Chicagoland area, led by show designer Peter Rogoz, a Chicago native. The Chicago Lights are proud to present "My Kind of Town", a tribute to all things Chicago. The evening wraps up with the marquee display named, Tapestry of Dreams, presented by Fireworks Extravaganza's very own award winning, John Sagaria. Tickets are available for $15/each.

August 14, 2012, Tuesday evening's display starts at 9pm with three fabulous displays. Leading the evening's displays are Advanced FWX and their return to the PGI stage. These folks hail from neighboring Kentucky, and bring a memorable display to the PGI this year.  The second display is a unique hand fired show from F&F Fireworks, based in Niles, Michigan. The evening's formal display lineup is closed out when Vince Hudkins combines the efforts of 5 different clubs from four states, to present The Battle of the Bands, a show you won't want to miss. The evening is far from over, as we move into a fantastic product display. PGI has invited Extreme Pyro of Texas to bring us, well you guessed it, a Texas sized product display. The evening then transitions into PGI competition mode, where and you'll see members compete against each other with some very unique rockets and shells not seen elsewhere. Tickets are specially priced for the community at $10/each, and are eligible for an early bird two for one discount if purchased by July 15, 2012.

August 15, 2012, Wednesday evening's display starts at 9pm. There will be three formal displays in the lineup. The first display is a huge PGI favorite, maybe yours too! It's our annual JPA display. The JPA is our Junior Pyrotechnics Association, and this creative endeavor is made by our youngest PGI members. The second display, from Dominator Fireworks is a combination Class C and Class B product display. Dominator is a very well know manufacturer of fireworks, and will be presenting some new and creative effects. Our third and final display is from a well known company in the Tri State Area, Mad Bomber Fireworks. Our convention host in LaPorte, is Tim Walczak, and he's actually one of Mad Bomber's lead shooters, so if you can expect an over the top display. We are told to expect a few big shells in this program and since are limit is 12" shells this year, you won't be disappointed. Following the displays this evening, we'll transition then again transition into our competition mode with more unique rockets and shells, not seen elsewhere. Tickets are specially priced for the community at $10/each, and are eligible for an early bird two for one discount if purchased by July 15, 2012.

August 17, 2012, Friday night we marshal all our collective talents and resources within the PGI and will leave LaPorte breathless, with a Grand Public Display they'll never forget. Our Grand Public display (GPD) is a night of serious and intense fireworks. Plan on getting your tickets early, we always sell out on Friday nights, it's a PGI tradition!

We lead off with some important PGI business with a tribute to our departed members. Next up is our National Anthem presented in cooperation with Bluegrass Pyrotechnic Guild (BPG), arguably the most active fireworks club in America. Ever see a million firecrackers in a string? The PGI does it every year with the Super String. Think this might be loud, well we have the Mega String too, that is louder.

The All Star display is next with their segment "A Tribute to Don and Nadine Rowe" set to original music using shells, assembled on site, during the convention. The All Star's will recognize the Rowe's, a dedicated and loving couple who made significant contributions to the PGI. We have a fantastic closer this year, Ace Pyro, and their Grand Public Display. Ace Pyro's display has been 3 years in the making, and promises to be the largest display in the company's history. Tickets are available for $20/each.

Some additional information on PGI Public Displays:

Gates: open at 6pm. We recommend you arrive early. Displays start promptly at 9pm. You may see and hear fireworks at the site starting as early as 4pm each afternoon. We haven't started the displays without you, but we do have open shooting and competition before and after all the displays. What's important is that you join us at the LaPorte County Fairgrounds on display nights. If you aren't viewing the show from the fairground seating, you are missing truly the show, the music and many special effects.  Patrons will not be allowed to bring in coolers or lawn chairs.  All seating is grandstand seating on a first-come-first served basis and food vendors will be available.

Parking: The LaPorte County Fairgrounds will have two parking areas available each evening. Preferred parking is $10 per car and is limited. Regular parking is $5.

Tickets:  Tickets go on sale February 1, 2012 at The LaPorte County Visitors and Convention Bureau offices in Marquette Mall. For more information call 800.634.2650. We anticipate high demand for tickets, and we urge everyone to purchase them early. PGI is known to have sold out venues.   

Ticket Prices:  Opening Night           August 12^th $15/per person

                         Community Night          August 14^th $10/per person*

                         Community Night          August 15^th $10/per person*

                          Grand Public Display    August 17^th $20/per person

*The PGI will offer LaPorte County, IN, IL, and MI residents special ticket pricing for the mid week displays on Tuesday August 14^th and Wednesday August 15^th.  We will offer a two for one early bird special until July 15, 2012. We urge you to consider combining a mid week display along with either the opening Show, or The Grand Public Display. You will not be disappointed. 

Rain Dates: In the event that there is a rain cancellation on a display night, the PGI has plans to provide displays on August 16th and August 18^th. 

Competition: A word about competition and the PGI. Following the displays each evening, particularly on Tuesday and Wednesday evening, we transition from our presentation displays, immediately over to our competition program.  Competition among the members is spirited and at times it is very difficult to select a champion. Minute differences in fireworks, that you may never notice, can be the difference between a winner and second, third or fourth place.

Competition often brings success, and at times significant and demonstrable failures. As each of our member pyrotechnic artisans pushes the limit on shells, rockets, and other devices, sometimes we get to see spectacular success, and sometimes spectacular failure. Competition programs are generally shot one device at a time, with a detailed description of what to expect. It isn't a finale display for sure, but the pace is lively, and certainly entertaining.

For more information contact the LaPorte County Visitors and Convention Bureau 800.634.2650 or visit the website at MichiganCityLaPorte.com.

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