Prospectus

Issue date: 7/1/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Courtesy of Lewis Hunnicutt Pyrotechnics expert Lewis Hunnicutt hard at work rigging a fireworks show. As the Fourth nears, Hunnicutt shares some of his insight into the industry and safety of all things explosively fun.

It is now fast approaching the time of year that many Illinoisans make the journey to the closest neighboring state for one of the most popular entertainment devices of the summer-fireworks. But even as throngs of people scramble to get their hands on their favorite colored Roman Candles, the longest roll of firecrackers they can find, and those forever-classic sparklers, they forget one very important thing: fireworks are not toys and treating them as such can wield severe consequences.

According to the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) Web site, "typically 60% of injuries from fireworks in the United States occur in the months surrounding the July 4th holiday" and results from a study conducted between June 18 and July 18, 2005 showed that firecrackers (26%), sparklers (17%), and rockets (17%) accounted for most of the injuries seen in emergency departments.

Texas native Lewis Hunnicuttt has been a professional pyrotechnician for almost 10 years, having worked in his home state under PepperHead Pyrotechnics, Inc. until this year. In 2008, Hunnnicutt worked for Walt Disney World as an Entertainment Technician, which involved working on the Wishes fireworks display at Disney's Magic Kingdom. This year he is shooting under an independent contractor.

He has designed, directed, and help set up pyrotechnic shows, and has worked every position from an assistant to the being the person in charge on site.

"Yes," he said, "I've almost been killed several times…it's very dangerous."

The Prospectus had a chance to sit down and chat with Hunnicutt so that he could elaborate.

Prospectus: Where did you grow up and how did you get interested in this sort of thing (pyrotechnics, fireworks)?

Hunnicutt: Well, I grew up in Royse City, Texas which is a small town about 30 miles east of Dallas. I'm a naturally creative person. I play in my own Metal band, Coilback where I do vocals and guitar (and the songwriting), I'm an artist, and I've even worked in some filmmaking. I've always loved the way you could "perform" with fireworks and loved putting on a show. My first experience "putting on a display" was at a local marina where they had bought a bunch of stuff from a stand and wanted to put on a display of their own (the owners). I helped and coordinated the fireworks. Everyone loved it. It was a great feeling knowing that all these people were watching your performance and enjoying the experience.

Continued...

Page 1 of 4 next >

Article Tools