Fireworks off Grand Coulee Dam set for July 4

Yes, the fireworks off Grand Coulee Dam will be on July 4 this year.

Doing the show will be Rocketman Pyro, out of Spokane. It is the third straight year for the Spokane firm to light up the top of Grand Coulee Dam.

Speaking for Rocketman Pyro, Dan VerHuel said the firm is planning about a 20-minute display.

Workers will start setting up the show, using some 40 cases of explosives, about 9 a.m. July 4.

“Once we gain access to the top of the dam, we are not allowed outside the gates until the show is over,” VerHuel stated.

The show starts right after the Laser Light Show, which ends about 10:30 p.m., stated Peggy Nevsimal, executive director of the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce.

The prime sponsor of the fireworks show is the Coulee Dam Federal Credit Union, Nevsimal said.

The setup across the top of the dam will take advantage of the full length of the spillway, some 3,086 feet, VerHuel said.

“We plan to light up the full front of the dam to kickoff the show, and this takes over 3,000 feet of setup,” he explained.

“Each year we order some 12,000 to 13,000 pounds of explosives from China, and are regulated on how they are stored,” he noted.

Rocketman Pyro was started in 2005, with VerHeul and Steve Underwood teaming up as owners.

“When we start setting up the explosives at 9 a.m. the day of the show, it takes us until about 6 to complete everything,” VerHuel said. A team of six people set the show up, a team made up of friends and relatives.

This year’s Grand Coulee Dam show will cost about $10,000, the same as last year.

“We are constantly training so we can put on a safe show,” VerHeul said. In fact, this week the Rocketman crew will put on a “training” show at Medical Lake.

While waiting for the fireworks show, there will be plenty to do with food, crafts and music at the park below the Visitor Center.

Get there early to take advantage of all the activity the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce has organized for visitors.

Last year’s show was staged on the weekend before July 4, and many missed the show because of the change in dates.