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Fourth of July fireworks show to pack a punch

Scott Franz
Fireworks are set off July 4, 2011, in downtown Steamboat Springs.
Courtesy Photo

— Tim Borden is predicting this year’s Fourth of July fireworks show at Howelsen Hill will be bigger and better than ever.

And based on the performance and caliber of previous shows, that’s a bold prediction.

“I’m expecting great things from this whole deal,” Borden said Friday. “I really do expect this to be a unique show and probably bigger than anything we’ve done so far.”



About 23 volunteers will help to set up and put on the fireworks show behind the scenes on Monday.

Borden said his son, Scott Borden, spent about 25 hours writing the all-important script for the big show this year.



“It really is an artform,” Tim Borden said of putting together a fireworks script that keeps the crowds wowed and surprised.

The script outlines when individual shells will be launched from a series of launch sites around Howelsen Hill and at the Brent Romick Rodeo Arena.

The show will last about 17 minutes. The fireworks spectacular starts at 9 p.m.

Because of dry conditions, this year’s show won’t be looking to set records with the size of individual firework shells.

But the 12-inch shells that will be used in the show still pack a lot more punch than the six-inch shells that are used at a majority of fireworks shows in the country.

The Bordens have been helping to put on the show in Steamboat Springs since 1995.

To make the fireworks happen, the show also requires hundreds of hours of staff time from city of Steamboat Springs employees who help put together a team of volunteers and keep the tall grass mowed at the launch sites.

All of the trails on Howelsen Hill and Emerald Mountain will be closed to the public starting at 4 p.m. on Monday for the show.

To reach Scott Franz, call 970-871-4210, email scottfranz@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @ScottFranz10


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