Biggest crowd ever for fireworks display

 

 

BY JULIA WADE

With brilliant lights, booming explosions and blazing colours, a spectacle of firework art lit up the dark night and dazzled an exceptionally large crowd at a recent annual display. 

Tomarata School’s annual fundraiser, Guy Fawkes Night, held at Tomarata Domain on November 10, combines gala fun with musical entertainment and an incredibly luminous pyrotechnic display, a show that has become a tradition and a must-see event for many locals and visitors alike.

Organiser of the event, Tomarata School support staff member and parent Carla Preston, says this year she estimates the crowd numbers were around the 4000 mark, the biggest it has ever been.

“I’ve been involved with this event for four years now and have taken solo charge for the last two. I’m unsure how long it’s been running through the school but it has evolved immensely from the days of the school’s Dads lighting fireworks bought from the warehouse!” she says. 

Pyrotechnic company, Impact Pyro, has been wowing crowds for many years at Tomarata and the company is also the biggest sponsor of the event. 

“Neil and his team give us a display that just gets better and better every year,” Carla says. “Those fireballs at the end – wow!”
Amongst the fun of the bouncy castles, climbing wall and fairground food, local band Happy Fish also returned to the show for a second time, the duos musical talents of toe tapping covers and original songs tempting people to get up and dance while waiting for the main event. 

Although the funds are still being tallied, Carla says she confidently believes the total will be over $12,000.

“Thank you to everyone who helped where they could – the parents of the school and PTA members who helped run the sideshow games and worked the gate as well as the many who helped out behind the scenes. I am very grateful of their help and support, and a huge thanks to the Lions who provided the parking to the venue,” she says. “A huge heartfelt thank you to everyone, another year successfully done and dusted, once again.”

<<photo credits>>
PHOTO/Harry Mackie
PHOTO/Brian Came

Photos: [credit no. 1 Harry Mackie, 2-6 Brian Came]  
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