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Firework Champions competition will get a chance to see #sonningstyle!

1 July 2014

For many years we have wanted to get into the fireworks competition circuit and this year we have finally taken this jump! Eastnor Castle will see #sonningstyle unleashed at the 2014 Fireworks Champions event!

We are already well down the road in preparation, we have a strict set of rules to adhere to which ensure the competition is fair. This includes a weight limit, no not the crew, this is a pyrotechnic weight limit, we have to declare how much pyrotechnic composition is in each firework!

This is a pyromusical competition, meaning the shows are synchronised to music, we do this using our state of the art digital firing system and our IonFire firing system software. Don’t tell anybody, but we have a secret weapon! Chris who is one of the founding directors of Sonning Fireworks owns another company called Lumatech Systems, this company writes the IonFire firing system software which used all around the world.

The tracks are meticulously edited together to produce a fun and exciting show, we don’t just take a whole track and put it end to end with another track. We use years of experience and expertise to craft a performance, hence why our shows are often called pyro-theatre rather than pyro-musical, although I guess that should be pyro-musical-threatre but thats a bit of a mouthful!

We aim to tell a story, from one track to the next, including other audio samples. For this show we are using extracts from the muppets to liven things up. But thats all we can tell you for now!

Watch this space to see how we get on at the 2014 Eastnor Fireworks Champions event!

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Firework Display FAQs

How much space is needed?+

The absolute minimum distance we require is 50m from spectators, roads, car parks and public byways. This distance increases with the size of the show as we start using larger fireworks. We complete a full risk assessment to ensure only the appropriate fireworks are used for the distance available.

What's the benefit of computer-fired fireworks?+

All our shows are fired by computer and use the full width available onsite, so rather than the traditional single firing location we fire from three or more locations. This means we use the same number of fireworks but fire them in multiples rather than one at a time, making the show far more impressive. This is only possible because we fire 100% of our shows using our computer firing system.

Are firework displays affected by the weather?+

In most circumstances no, however wind direction is critical. A strong wind blowing away from the crowd toward a suitable fallout area is acceptable; a wind blowing toward the crowd can be unacceptable.

Do you clear up afterwards?+

Yes. We endeavour to clear up as much as possible, though there may be a few small bits of cardboard left which soon disappear when the site is mowed. Venues come back to us as their preferred supplier again and again because we respect their venue and their rules.

Can the firework display be a surprise?+

Most of the time we can set up a display without your guests knowing, however with some sites and some sizes of display this is not always possible.

Can we start the firework display ourselves?+

Most certainly. We have a wireless firing system that the bride and groom (or host) can use to start the display safely from back with the crowd.

Can fireworks be choreographed to music?+

Yes! We specialise in fireworks to music, otherwise known as pyromusicals — stunning displays choreographed precisely to your chosen music. Whether you want a romantic first-dance moment or a dramatic finale, a carefully designed musical firework display brings your event to life with rhythm, emotion and spectacle.

How long does a wedding fireworks display last?+

Most wedding fireworks displays last between 4 and 8 minutes, depending on your budget and style. We recommend a high-impact display that leaves a big impression without dragging on. For larger budgets and Bonfire Night shows, displays can last 15–25 minutes.