Local pyrotechnics firm dazzles the opposition
WE’RE a sparkling lot in town!
A Huddersfield firework display company is the best in the world, for a second time.
Pyro 2000, of Wakefield Road, was named winner of the Loto-Quebec 2008 Solstice Prize, which took place in the Canadian province.
It is the second time that the company has represented Britain at the contest and won – its last victory being in 2002.
Firework display companies from Australia, America, China and Canada competed with them.
Each had to produce a firework display within a fixed budget, firing pyrotechnics from four sites around a 300ft waterfall.
The six-minute display had to honour Quebec City’s 400th anniversary.
The festival organisers charge the public to come and watch the display – so they are only willing to pick entrants with a good reputation for dazzling displays.
Graham Wilkinson, director of Pyro 2000, said: “They expect a decent show that people will be happy to pay and come and see. They basically have someone who looks at displays around the world and chooses companies to compete.
“Some people are just in firework displays for the money but they don’t tend to go along – this event is for people who want to promote fireworks and the artistic side of things.
“We are very pleased to have won the competition for a second time. Not only does it mean we will get to attend next year, but we will probably be invited to more festivals. It has a knock-on effect.”
The Loto-Quebec Solstice Prize has been held annually for the past 13 years and is one of the world’s most prestigious festivals.
Almost 90,000 spectators came to admire the firework display, which was choreographed to music.
Marcel Dallaire, event organiser, said: “Each country had a different perception and understanding of the theme music. The spectators had an opportunity to put each team’s fireworks and music into perspective.”
