Fireworks Set for Portland this Saturday

The countdown is underway and barring problems with the weather, a dazzling variety of fireworks and sounds will unfold Saturday at 9:30 p.m. at the Portland Fairgrounds on Route 17A.

The event has long been considered one of the best in the area.  Planners try for something close to the choreography of a Broadway production starting right at the beginning when the National Anthem is sung.

The warm up gets underway when the gate opens at 5 p.m. It costs $5 for admission, and vendors will offer hamburgers, hot dogs and soft drinks. Novelties for the kids like glowsticks will also be available. Raffle tickets will be available with grand prizes including a day of fishing, an airplane sightseeing flight above Connecticut and 18 holes of golf for a foursome.

Singer Theresa Wright, former standout with Motown, will will sing the Star Spangled Banner as fireworks near ground level take the form of the American Flag.

Co-chairman Ed Dunham says they will continue some of the effects perfected by Michael Dapkus, who presided over the display for years. While money doesn't permit some of the ground animation tricks used back in the 1990's, the aerial displays will be just as ambitious.

Dunham says they've hired Ocean State Pyrotechnics of Hope Valley, R.I., to operate the spectacle. They've also secured specialty shells and fireworks, with many made in Italy. Many have specialty colors.

Past Portland fireworks shows featured unusual shells and effects like "weeping willows" that explode and then allow delicate gold and green filaments to slowly descend. Others will include the "Temple of Heaven" along with "Hollywood" shells that explode in circles and connecting rings of colors. Yet another favorite will be the "chrysanthemum" which will approximate the flower in color and texture.

According to Dunham there will be hundreds of shells used ranging form 1.5 inches to 6 inches. Most will be launched by computer and synched with music easily heard if you are near the fairgrounds.  

Other shells will be loud and if you're anywhere near you'll be able to almost feel the concussion and power. 

The grand finale, Dunham says, will be a traditional Portland "signature" touch, where a wall of 650 shells go up at the same time making a fast-pace cachophany of noise and and riots of colors and effects.  

The length and variety of the show has been hampered a bit by the recession and by the slower rate of early donations. But it's expected to go past 30 minutes. Co chairman John Sobczyk says they are still about $3,000 dollars shy of their projection to cover all the costs. 

Some may wonder why the event takes place on July 16th.

Organizers say it's because of a standing request from the state Department of Environmental Protection to delay the event to protect nesting herons and eagles and their fledglings.

Sunday at the fairgrounds there was plenty of evidence of bird life with red wing blackbirds singing in trees and flying. There were at least two species of ducks spotted. Webbed feet tracks were seen in mud left by downpours several days ago. No egrets were seen, but were probably preoccupied in heavy cover of foliage. Bird watchers in town say there is a special path to take and use of a telephoto lens is recommended to capture the egrets on their nests.

Private citizens can still contribute for the fireworks event.  Donations can be sent to Portland Police at 265 Main St., with checks made out to Portland Fireworks. Donations also will be collected at the gate and through concessions on the fairgrounds. 

Parking has always been a challenge. There is parking on one side of local streets where permitted by police and spectators then carry portable chairs and walk on 17A from Indian Hill Road to the fairgrounds, a distance of about a half mile.   

Others watch the event from other points in town, such as nearby Rose Hill. Others line Williams Street along the Swedish Cemetary which is on what could be the highest hill in town. 

The Portland Fairgrounds is operated by the Exchange Club.