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Morehouse said of the work, which begins in January when the committee decides what type of display it wants and orders the fireworks from Illinois Fireworks Co.. There is a great variety of shells, which range in size up to six inches and soar to a height of 1,500 to 2,000 feet.
The day before the show, Mr. Morehouse and his crew place the steel mortar launchers in the ground beside Avon Pond, aiming them so that possible duds and debris fall into the lake at the base of the hill, away from bystanders and spectators.
“It really is an incredible task to put the show together,” he said, explaining that a federal license from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is necessary for the town, as well as permission from the Rappahannock County Sheriffs Department. Only licensed pryotechnicians and municipalities may receive licenses to put on displays of the size of Washington’s, he said.
Though fireworks kits are available through various companies, the town each year places a custom order which includes the large five-and six-inch shells — the largest available for manual launching.
The display now costs more than $2,000, Mr. Morehouse said, and lights up the sky around Washington for nearly 45 minutes, accompanied by recorded music.
“We try to coordinate the aerial display with the music,” the mayor said, adding that Louise van Dort provides are variety of musical selections, ranging from the National
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