THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, June 8, 1995 TAG: 9506080039
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Roy A. Bahls
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
ROSE GIRONE, president of Fireworks by Girone, views her company's aerial displays as an artist's creation.
``It's like you have a black canvas,'' Girone said during a recent telephone interview, ``and when you know the shell and what it's going to do, you're just painting a picture with fireworks. Even though it may last for only seconds, it's awesome.''
Fireworks by Girone will light its fuses Saturday evening during this weekend's third annual North American Fireworks Competition along the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Pyrotecnico from New Castle, Pa., offers up the Friday night display, and Pyro Shows out of La Follette, Tenn., is scheduled for Sunday.
Each evening's aerial art display will be synchronized to music. The launch site is a barge off 20th Street and each 9:30 p.m. show will be visible along the Oceanfront from Third to 40th streets.
Judges will choose the best performance based on choice and variety of colors, volume of effects, correlation between fireworks and music and overall performance. The winner receives $15,000 and will perform again at the city's Fourth of July celebration at Mount Trashmore.
Fireworks by Girone, from New Jersey, is the display arm for Vineland Fireworks Inc., which was founded in 1910 by the grandmother of Rose's husband, Felix. Rose and Felix run the businesses together. They have painted the night sky for presidents, grand openings for hotels and casinos (including Trump Casino in Atlantic City, N.J.), movies and the 1993 Central American Games in Puerto Rico.
``We are going to be shooting some willow, pattern and glittering shells,'' Girone said. ``There will be whistles, stars, crackles and plenty of noise.''
Spectators lining the Boardwalk and beach will also be treated to some of Girone's favorites. Like the Battle in the Clouds, Shell of Shell, Color Tourbillion, Water Shells and Color Smoke Shells.
``Our finale,'' Girone said, ``will be in red, white and blue.''
Putting on such a show is a combined effort involving her, her husband and their crew of operators.
``I do the color selection and types of shells used in the displays,'' Girone said. ``My husband is very good at synchronizing everything to music.''
Girone takes pride in the quality and precision of their shows. While it's nice to hear that crowds loved her fireworks, that isn't her main concern.
``My main concern is that my operators are safe,'' Girone said, ``and there were no problems. Fireworks are beautiful, but they are also very dangerous.'' Girone feels honored that they were selected to compete in this year's competition.
``If we win, that's great,'' she said, ``but if we don't, we will be glad to have had the opportunity. We'll do our very best.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photos
[Fireworks]
[The Boardwalk]
B/W photo by CELLAR DOOR
Boardwalk '95 will feature the Mike Latham Band from 7 to 10 p.m.
Saturday on the 24th Street stage.
Graphic
Boardwalk '95 Schedule
For copy of schedule, see microfilm.
by CNB