TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The Turtle Creek Stadium in Traverse City, home of collegiate Northwoods League baseball team, the Pit Spitters, will be hosting Michigan’s first ever International Fireworks Championship, on Saturday, September 9th. However, the competing teams are not from the Great Lakes State.
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Competitors in the event include Fantastika Pirotecnia from Mexico; ToF Feuerwerk from Germany; Fêtes et Feux from France and Arthur Rozzi Pyrotechnics from the United States, based in Cincinnati, Ohio. The teams qualified earlier by winning similar competitive events.
The four world-class shows, which will last about 15 minutes each, will feature huge fireworks events synchronized to music and they will be following specific rules set to challenge their artistic and creative abilities. The entries will be formally judged but the public has the final say on who the winner is.
Similar competitions have been held in Canada, Mexico and Europe but this kind of competition is a rarity in the United States, with the closest competition of its kind being held in Missouri.
Mickey Graham, Director of Events at Traverse City Tourism says, “This promises a fireworks event like no other. There are bright colors, bold designs and fun concepts. I recently watched a competition in Spain and the show was the pride of the entire community.”
Traverse City Tourism President, Trevor Tkach says, “The International Fireworks Championship will be unlike anything this area has seen. The competition is tough. It’s taking typical Fourth of July fireworks and adds elements of artistry to a competitive challenge – this will bring new meaning to live entertainment in northern Michigan. It gives people another great reason to come to Traverse City.”
General Manager of the Pit Spitters, Jacqueline Holm is used to having fireworks at the stadium but will make sure everything goes as planned. She said, “We’re working with Blair Township and Traverse City Tourism to make sure everything is in compliance and that everyone stays safe because that is, after all, most important.”
The event, which will be held in September, will occur after what most consider to be the “summer season” in Traverse City including the city’s July Cherry Festival. However, event organizers expect the event to bring in additional tourists who want to see something new – and maybe hang out in some cooler temperatures while paying more economical prices at the local hotels.
Details of the championship are still being worked out but Graham says it will be a family-friendly event with entertainment leading up to the competition at nightfall. The event is being spearheaded by Traverse City tourism and tickets will go on sale soon.
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