It’s one of the highlights of summer – 4th of July fireworks shows. Although we’re all content to just revel in their awesomeness, it’s fascinating to go behind-the-scenes to find out how professional fireworks actually work. Through the lens of San Francisco’s fireworks show, one of the top shows in the U.S., writer Carole Jacobs gives us a glimpse into the magic. 

Keep this article handy by saving it to Pinterest. Image courtesy of Pixabay.com.

How Professional Fireworks Work    

Bang! Hiss! Crackle! Whistle! Boom! Is there any American tradition as explosively, bone-jarringly spectacular beautiful as the Fourth of July fireworks? Come sundown, an entire nation casts its eyes skyward to witness a shimmering, sparkling, glittering, glowing and glorious display of pyrotechnics at its most patriotic.

But while fireworks may seem as American as apple pie, they hail back to 2nd century China, according to the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA). Between 600-900 AD, a Chinese alchemist dropped salt peter (potassium nitrate) into a fire and observed the colorful flames it made. Spurred by curiosity, he combined salt peter with charcoal from the fire and sulfur and created the first form of black gun powder. Later, Chinese inventors stuffed the powder into hollowed-out bamboo sticks and tossed them into a fire, where they exploded in much the same way as fireworks do today. By the 15th century Europeans were making fireworks for use in religious and public festivals.

The pioneers brought their love of firecrackers to the New World in the 1600s. John Adams’ wish for the country to celebrate its first Independence Day in 1776 with “pomp, parade…bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other,” began a time-honored Fourth of July fireworks tradition which continues to this day.

How do fireworks work?

The same basic recipe invented in Chinese is still used today to create elaborate fireworks, according to the APA. Various chemicals are placed in a small tube called an aerial shell. The explosive materials, called stars, create colorful shapes that explode into complex designs.

To get fireworks into the air, the shells are put in a tube called a mortar. Fireworks crews ignite a fast-acting fuse below the shell containing gunpowder, which explodes, builds up heat, gas and pressure and shoots the shell into the air. Once the fireworks are high in the sky, another fuse inside the shells on a time delay ignites, causing the bursting charge to explode and light up the sky in stars.

To produce a flower, flag or other design, the aerial shell is embedded with colored stars laid out in a pattern of the desired shape. The brilliant colors result from the burning of specific compounds in the shells: Deep reds come from burning strontium and lithium; greens come from barium and blues from copper. After the firework explodes, all that’s left is biodegradable paper and a little carbon.

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From bamboo reeds to fireworks extravaganza

Practically anyone can set off a firework in their backyard. But creating an elaborate and dazzling half-hour-long fireworks display synchronized to music takes professional pyrotechnicians like Matthew Gilfillan with Pyro Spectaculars by Souza. The firm has been creating fireworks shows for everything from private weddings to the Super Bowl for more than four decades.

Gilfillan, who produces San Francisco’s annual quarter-million-dollar Fourth of July fireworks display, begins his work a year in advance, using computer science and his knowledge of what each firecracker will look and sound like when it explores in the air to produce the display and custom soundtrack. Combining high-level aerial shells that soar 300-1,200 in the sky (peonies, palm trees, dahlias, strobes, and salutes) with low-level fireworks (fountains, comets, mines, and Roman candles) and ground-level fireworks (fire rings, rockets, confetti cannons and fireballs), he designs a 22-minute extravaganza that leaves audiences spellbound.

But the fireworks are “just one portion” of the production, Gilfillan says. In many ways, it takes a village to orchestrate a major show. Teams at Pyro Spectacular gather fireworks from bunkers all over the West Coast; the permitting department contacts the Coast Guard, regional quality water boards, the Port of San Francisco, fire departments and security companies about safety concerns; the transportation division oversees the safe transfer and storage of materials to and at the site; the production division manages what happens on land, and the 20-man land crew sets up the display at the show site and ensure that everything goes off – and up – on schedule.

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San Francisco Fireworks

San Francisco’s annual fireworks display is performed on two large oceangoing barges held at station by large oceangoing tugs, says Gilfillan. Because the pressure in the Bay is strong, the tugboats need to be operated by highly skilled tugboat captains, he says.

On show night, the barges containing the fireworks and equipment are tugged out into San Francisco Bay, where the land crew performs tasks like assembling the rack of mortars, loading the shells, and wiring them into a computer firing system, says Dave Daly, a longtime land crew member. “We have a map that shows us where to put the fireworks, and everything is laid out ahead of time and programmed for when it will go off.”

Rain or shine, the show goes on. “Things tend to operate well regardless of the temperature, although rain can be an issue in terms of making sure the shells don’t get wet,” Daly says.

Even San Francisco’s notorious “Karl the Fog” has been no match for Pyro Spectaculars. “We always hope for a clear night on the Fourth,” says Gilfillan. “But if we get a fog ceiling, we have fireworks that perform from the water level all the way up to 1,200 feet.”

Pyro Spectacular fireworks display over San Francisco. Photo courtesy Pixabay.com.

Where to See San Francisco Fireworks 

When: San Francisco’s Fourth of July fireworks display happens along the northern waterfront at Aquatic Park and Pier 39.

Where: Whether you want to join the Fourth of July celebration at Fisherman’s Wharf and get a front-row seat to the fireworks,  see the show from a Fourth of July boat cruise in San Francisco Bay or lay your picnic blanket in a city park and gaze up at the dazzling aerial performance, here’s the best places in town to catch the action:

For a front row seat, nab a spot along Fisherman’s Wharf, Ghirardelli Square or Pier 39.

Head to Aquatic Park, with grassy lawns, a small beach, and a great view of the fireworks.

Set up shop at in the courtyard or upper levels of The Cannery, and enjoy dinner in one of the restaurants while taking in the show.

Spread your blanket on the elevated grass park at Fort Mason, just west of Aquatic Park.

There’s plenty of grassy lawns at Crissy Field to sprawl out and enjoy spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge,  Alcatraz Island, The Bay Bridge , the city skyline and fireworks in both directions.

See the fireworks from the Bay aboard Blue & Gold Fleet, with five cruises from Pier 39 or 41, or aboard the Red and White San Francisco Bay Cruises, offering one cruise from Pier 43 ½.

Pier 7 is another great spot for viewing.  Have dinner and drinks in the historic Ferry Building before taking in the show.

Maritime National Historical Park is a great place to gaze up at the fireworks.

Head to Bernal Heights Park, a chill neighborhood park, for 360-views of the Bay, downtown, the East Bay and San Bruno Mountain.

See the fireworks from atop Telegraph Hill. and historic Coit Tower. You won’t be able to climb the tower, but the views from the Hill are unreal.

Treasure Island, a tiny man-made island built for the 1939 Golden Gate International Expedition, set right in-between San Francisco and the East Bay. Reachable from the middle of the Bay Bridge, it’s an idyllic place to get panoramic views of fireworks shooting off over the city and the Bay.

Avoid the crowds at Tank Hill, offering sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge, city skyline, Bay Bridge, Oakland, and Sausalito. Climb the hidden steps to the tiny park and consider taking in the fireworks from one of the rope swings.

For a unique vantage point, take in the fireworks from Alamo Square, home to the city’s famous “Painted Ladies,” seven beautifully restored Victorian houses.

Avoid fighting the crowds on the Golden Gate Bridge by catching the show in Sausalito.

Where to Stay to See San Francisco Fireworks

San Francisco hotels that offer stellar views of the fireworks: Coming in from out of town to catch the show? Nab a room at one of these luxury hotels for unparalleled views of the fireworks display.

InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco: Enjoy cocktails and 360-views of the city, Golden Gate Bridge, and fireworks from the 19th floor Top of the Mark Skylounge at this historic Nob Hill hotel.

Argonaut Hotel: Just steps from the beach on Fisherman’s Wharf, this beautiful hotel offers stunning views across San Francisco Bay.

The Fairmont Heritage Place Ghirardelli Square: Get a front row seat to the fireworks from this gorgeous hotel on Ghirardelli Square.

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