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About this episode

http://www.evanston4th.org/index.aspIn 1999, the Chicago Tribune voted Evanston's Independence Day fireworks show -- choreographed by Association President Dave Sniader and programmed by Bob Kerns, Director of Operations at Melrose Pyrotechnics -- "the best in the suburbs". What makes Evanston fireworks different from others is that it is a truly custom design beginning with a soundtrack that I compose and edit from scratch, Sniader said. "The way that we create an ebb and flow of activity in the soundtrack and the way that Bob places shells to the music is how we make a great show. I think of it as a concert performance set to fireworks. We take great pride in producing the longest and strongest show in the Midwest," he said. Other shows begin by telling a vendor the budget. Then the vendor sets a length of time and music, if it is even a musical show at all. He feels that many shows are just too short and those that do not shoot to music are missing seventy-five percent of the effect.This year's program will again be broadcast live on 90.5 FM so bring your radio and tune into the music. For people in the area of Dawes Park and the Clark Street beach parking lot there will be speakers broadcasting the same program. "Our supplier is Melrose Pyrotechnics out of Indiana. They not only shoot the show but manufacture some of the finest fireworks in the world. Some are made locally, some come from Italy, China and Southeast Asia," he said. "And those factories manufacture shells to Melrose's specifications. Melrose does a wonderful job in every respect." So we can ask for certain shells that we think will fit the chosen music and Melrose will program them into the show. Bob knows their shells and inventory so well that it always turns out perfect and he makes it look easy, he said. If Sniader's experience is any clue, then this year's show will indeed be one that should not be missed.

• Release Date

  Jul 8, 2009

• Runtime

  25:06