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It takes three days of setup, a team of eight people and 5,000 pounds of gunpowder to pull off Birmingham’s biggest fireworks show of the year, and July 4, 2017, promises to be no different.
Thunder on the Mountain has been officially hosted by Vulcan Park and Museum since 2004, but the tradition of setting off fireworks from Red Mountain for the entire Birmingham metro area to see dates back decades. “It’s the most fantastic show in central Alabama, and maybe the state,” said Morgan Black, Vulcan Park’s director of marketing and public relations.
Black said with those that can see it in person and those who watch the live stream on WBRC Fox 6, the show usually has around 1 million viewers.
The show is set and choreographed to music, which is broadcast by eight radio stations in the area, so viewers can follow along from wherever they are.
Pyro Shows of Alabama has been at the helm of the Thunder on the Mountain show since last year, but the company it purchased and absorbed, Pyro Productions, has run the show for most of its history.
“Hearing the crowd at the end of a good show, and hearing them screaming and cheering — that’s it,” he said.
Visitors can watch some of the setup on July 4, but the park will close at 6 p.m. to allow the security perimeter to be set up.
The show will begin at 9 p.m. For viewing tips and a list of participating radio stations that will carry the music broadcast, visit visitvulcan.com/july-4th-fireworks.
