Before fireworks display, crews work through months of stress

Days ahead of the annual Fourth of July fireworks display
on Lake Union, crews began to transform Gas Works Park for
the celebration.

By Monday morning, workers were setting up chairs, stages,
canopies, and banners. A perimeter had been established,
security was on scene and dozens of vendors arrived with
lights, food, and other supplies.

On the hilltop, a massive, inflatable bust of Lady Liberty
had been erected.

“We like people to know that the celebration is coming,”
said Winsor Graves, production director for One Reel. “A
lot of people just come to look at it and get in the
spirit.”

While crews from One Reel arrived on Sunday, preparations
were underway far before that. The company’s program
manager started laying out the soundtrack for this year’s
show in December.

“He’s got to come up with a good mix of current songs, and
then he has to edit that so that it works with the pyro
technicians vision. Then he has to send that off to them
so they can start choreographing the fireworks,” Graves
explained.

Planning continues in the months leading up to the event,
as One Reel lines up suppliers, vendors, and sponsors.
Before they arrive at the park, the grass is freshly cut
and graffiti painted over.

“A lot of people realize that something is taking that
long, but they don’t realize that there’s so many people
doing so many different things to try to create one big
experience for the community,” Graves said.

Roughly 50,000 people are expected to watch this year’s
show from Gas Works Park, while another 250,000 will
observe from elsewhere in the city.

Graves said he is most stressed in the moments leading up
to the fireworks display, as he attempts to synchronize
radio, TV, pyro technicians, and the national anthem
signer.

Kiah Patzkowsky, admissions and operations manager, said
she is most stressed as crowds begin to arrive.

“Mid to late evening is when there’s a giant push of
people who are all crowding down on the Burke Gilman Trail
trying to get into the park,” she said.

JT Sapp, who has helped to put on the show for the past
three years, said when all goes as planned, the months of
stress and preparations are worth it.

“This is America’s birthday,” he said with a laugh. “I
mean, there’s no better place to see this fireworks show
with the Seattle cityscape behind it. It’s patriotism.
This is our country.”

One Reel will have around 50 employees and interns working
Wednesday’s event, although there will be many more
volunteers and vendors.