It takes about two dozen technicians to set up an annual fireworks show. Photos: Martin Brady.
At this trade show, about an hour from Canberra, there’s no walking through stalls or long speeches from vendors.
Instead, at the Gunning Fireworks Festival, the action’s in the sky.
Fireworks Australia organises the yearly fireworks show as part entertainment and part showcase to fireworks buyers.
Managing director Martin Brady says the show started as a demonstration more than 20 years ago of the “latest and greatest” fireworks to industry colleagues and buyers.
But it soon drew larger crowds.
“In about the second or third year, there were traffic jams getting in and out of it because the public used to come and watch from the carpark,” he says.
“Then we thought, ‘Let’s make this a public access festival’.”
In September, the relaunched festival will dazzle for a second year, after returning in 2024 from a five-year hiatus.
Mr Brady says work on the show starts more than a year in advance, as he and his team draw up plans and head overseas to speak with their manufacturers.
It’s a lot of planning to design not only the show, but the fireworks themselves.
“[Putting together the] detailed show designs starts in July [before a show],” Mr Brady says.
“We do have quite a bit of stuff arriving in July and August [this year] … and we’ll put that stuff in so it has fresh stuff that people haven’t seen before.
“We are still seeing what product will get imported by then.”
Technological advances also mean Mr Brady and his team – and other businesses – can adopt more sustainable fireworks.
He says an expanded number of products from Europe has brought new fireworks into their lineup, including ones with a cellulose casing that releases less debris and those using biodegradable materials.
“We’ve been able to get our waste down quite radically from what it was five years ago,” he says.
“I’m a bit of a hippie, so I’m keen on it [sustainability] … It’s definitely growing [and] being taken up by the industry.”
Once the fireworks arrive in Australia, Fireworks Australia carefully sets them aside until they’re needed.
Fireworks Australia also works with international manufacturers to find the perfect ”bang”.
After months of planning, it takes about 25 technicians to set up the show.
“We have some specialised trucks for transporting [the fireworks] and we have some warehouses in NSW, not that far from Gunning,” Mr Brady says.
“The shows are built here in our warehouse and workshop, and then they get taken to Gunning on the morning of the show.”
In 2025, the result is a family-friendly event offering rides, food stalls and plenty of fireworks to light up the night.
Festivalgoers can enjoy a pre-fireworks show, as well as two synchronised fireworks displays set to music.
While they’re putting the finishing touches on the September show, Mr Brady says other events are already on their radar.
“Bookings are already starting to get pretty full for this summer,” he says.
“I get nervous for every show. I’ve been doing this for a long time … I want it to be the best that it can be.”
The Gunning Fireworks Festival will be held on 20 September at Gunning Showground, 80 Lerida Street. The gates open at 3 pm.
Tickets cost between $10 and $20 (or $50 for a family pass), and are available via Eventbrite.
