Local News

Thousands Look To The Sky For Big Fireworks Show

BALTIMORE (WJZ) ― Weather permitting, the Inner Harbor fireworks show promises to be as big, bold and beautiful as America herself.

Mike Hellgren reports it is scheduled to start around 9:30 p.m.

You may not know Luther Horine, but maybe you've seen his work.  He's the lead technician for the big fireworks display at the Inner Harbor. 

Even though the skies right now look ominous, he's optimistic that the show will go on.

"We can basically get the show completed as long as we can get in and get everything in place," said Horine.

If the weather holds, all the fireworks you see will be controlled at his fingertips.  When he touches a metal pin in the right spot, the result is explosive.

"I will hear a count that travels with the music, and I will hear one minute, one, two, three," said Horine.

Already people are picking out their spots, from the top of the World Trade Center to a boat on the harbor.

"We booked it this morning.  We're going to pick up our tickets, get a great dinner tonight, then watch the fireworks afterwards," said a visitor from Connecticut.

Tracy Baskerville with the Baltimore Office of Promotion says if the weather turns bad, wind and lightning are the biggest enemies.

"Fireworks can go in rain, so we try to shoot for 9:30 exactly," Baskerville said. "You don't want it to be dangerous. You don't want people standing out there. You don't want to endanger them just for a fireworks show."

So think positive.  For the professionals who have worked so hard to put this together, the payoff is in "oohs" and "ahhs."

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