Local area fireworks shows planned

Husband and wife team Jay and Debbie Scott of Oklahoma have shot off the traditional Independence Day fireworks for Clovis the past eight years, but they say it is hard work and takes a year of careful planning.

According to the Scotts, the Western Enterprises team which also includes Kameron Kralik and Cody Brooks, are glad to be back in Clovis for Smoke on the Water, the community’s annual Independence Day celebration.

“We’re excited Clovis has given us the opportunity to blow up $20,000 this year,” Debbie Scott said jokingly.

According to the Scotts, much planning has gone into the display, but they are remaining practical in their hopes for the show.

“What I really want is for the shells to get at least 10 feet off of the trailer,” Debbie Scott said laughing.

Rain, falling sparks, and misloaded fireworks are just some of the uncontrollable issues the team it faces during each show.

“It only happened once, but I remember there was a shell that had been loaded upside down, and it set off the entire show at once.” Debbie Scott said. “I was like ‘What do I do now?’ Our entire show was exploding in the air, and there was nothing we could do about it.”

This year’s Smoke on the Water has been choreographed by Gary Caimano of Western Enterprises, and if everything goes as planned the fireworks will coincide with music aired on Q101.5, according to Debbie Scott.

The team said to watch for words highlighted in the music by the fireworks, such as a heart during the word ‘love’.

This year Smoke on the Water is organized by local broadcasters Rooney and Moon and the Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce.

Ernie Kos of the Chamber said the holiday and event is one of her favorites.

“The music, the lights reflecting off of Greene Acres Lake, and being with my family and friends make this such a wonderful event,” Kos said.

By the numbers:

• 365 days of planning

• $20,000 for the 2008 fireworks display

• 918 firework shells

• 600 square foot safety perimeter

Fast facts:

• Smoke on the water was started by Taco Box’s Tom Martin in 1995.
• The fireworks for this Fourth of July were purchased by Western Enterprises on July 5, 2007.
• This year the team also shot off the fireworks for the Smokin’ Third of July Bash in Portales.