Pyrotechnically Speaking (Getting to know your pyrotechnicians at Archangel Fireworks) - Yaarr!

This could be you!

Have you dreamt of getting into the mysterious world of display fireworks? Do you want to hear the applause after a thunderous finale and feel the pride in knowing you did that? Do you long to sail the seas with a surly, ragtag bunch of misfits in search of plunder? (Oh wait, that's pirates). In any case, here is some advice from the pros at Archangel Fireworks

Question 11:  Do you have any advice for people interested in getting involved in the fireworks industry?

James:  Yes...when on site pay attention to those with experience and aim away from face!

Leiah:  Become a sponge, absorb and observe different ways of doing things but always respect your supervisor and how they want things done!

Ross: Learn from as many people as possible, experience different supervisors so you can determine the safest and the best way to do things. Find a reputable company, asks questions when you’re onsite – don’t be shy. We all love to talk about ourselves and our jobs.

Adam:  Ask someone else for advice.

Candice: Always be prepared for the unknown.  In many circumstances you are in remote places with limited resources. Being able to think fast on your feet will be your biggest asset and will save your fellow crew a lot of driving!

Kelly: Try it before you dive in.

We are coming to the end of our blog series so if there is anything you want to know from the crew at Archangel now is the time!

Do you have a question for the crew?  Is there something that you would like to know about what it's like to be a pyrotechnician?  If we use your question you could win your very own Archangel Fireworks T-shirt!  Send your questions to info@archangelfireworks.com 

Pyrotechnically Speaking (Getting to know your pyrotechnicians at Archangel Fireworks) Pt.4

So Fridays are probably a bad day to do this update, I mean, we ARE a fireworks company and most fireworks shows happen on the weekend so Fridays are the peak of busy preparations for the shows to come.  So this update will happen sort-of-semi-regularly, probably on Mondays, which make way more sense!

We are getting some great feedback on this ongoing look into the people behind the fireworks, we love hearing your thoughts, so keep them coming.

Do you know anyone interested in getting into the fireworks industry? We would love it if you would share this blog with them, there will be advice about how to get started coming up as well as tons of other inside information!

Question #4: Describe your favorite scene or effect.

James:  I absolutely love the Silver Kamuro Z-Shaped display cake.  It’s a real crowd pleaser with its bright silver fanned effect….it’s even crazier up close!

Leiah:  We did a show once and it had a scene done to Pink Floyd Shine on you crazy Diamond.  The opening section of the song had red lightning shells, silver long throw comets and red falling leaves and it just bathed the entire landscape in this glow that reminded me of sun shining through a stained glass window. I still get goosebumps.  Watch this scene here!

Ross:  My favorite fireworks effect is called ‘Snoring’. Red balls zigging across the sky farting as they go.

Favorite scene – I love loud scenes, not ones that are just salutes pounding the sky, but well developed scenes that have reports and or whistles mixed in with a nice colour pattern or sequence.

Adam:  Deepest Howlers you got.

Candice: Lighting shells are my favorite effect! They run a very close second to a falling leaves shell.

There was a scene in our Diamonds show that we shot at the national competition in Sherbrook that stands out for me. There was just enough smoke left behind from the previous scene it created a menacing cloud effect in the sky. There was a short pause as the tracks changed and when the lighting shells broke in the sky to open the next song, you would have sworn there was a storm coming. All that, combined with the music, was breath taking. I remember thinking to myself, “Is there nothing we can’t create with fireworks?” It was incredible!

Kelly:  Cantarellas – they can encompass so many combinations of effect, colour and as such are very versatile.  With the ability to use up to three different effects in different layers with customized timings, even the salutes (which are always last and highest in the layers) can be made to seem soft.  My favorite way to use them is hard hitting and decisive.

Do you have a question for the crew?  Is there something that you would like to know about what it's like to be a pyrotechnician? Send your questions to info@archangelfireworks.com

Happy Diwali!

We love to educate people about different fireworks customs from around the world and this month we are celebrating Diwali!

Diwali (Also known as the "festival of light") is a festival celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs around the globe as well as Buddists from Nepal where the lights or lamps are lit to signify victory of good over the evil within every human being. Diwali is a six day festival which is celebrated on the first day of the lunar Kartika month, which comes in the month of October or November.

Each of these groups have different reasons for celebrating this holiday but in India, Diwali is considered to be a national festival, and the aesthetic aspect of the festival is enjoyed by most Indians regardless of faith.

Fireworks and Firecrackers (in Countries where they are legal) play an important role in the celebration of Diwali and we here at the shop have been taking part in local celebrations in Winnipeg for years.

So this year on October 28th listen for the sounds of fireworks bursting in celebration of Diwali or visit the shop and join in on the celebration yourselves!

To read more about the rich history and beliefs behind Diwali visit the Wikipedia page

Here are some of our best selling Diwali items:
(we should be adding a few new items to our shelves in the next couple days as well!)

Black Out Fountain












2 Season Fountain












Jumping Jacks

Grave Digger

Powder Keg

These are a few of our favorite things....

Although this year has seen some difficulties in stock levels due to a decision by major Chinese ports not to ship fireworks during the Beijing Olympics we here at Archangel have done our best to stay on top of the situation and have even managed to bring in some new products!

Here are some of the staff picks for this summer:

Shawn Frosst Recommends the Golden Rain Willow

The Golden Rain Willow is one of our favorite shells, it was temporarily unavailable for awhile but is now back in stock and has reclaimed its place as one of our top sellers, this massive golden shell is so big that if fired alongside 2" commercial shells it is difficult to tell the difference!

We use it at: Goldeyes games, Bomber games, fairs and weddings (3 or 5 of these make a fantasic finale!)

Toby Hughes Recommends Dragon Eggs

Tired of Tazmanian Devils? Need something with a little more kick? Check these guys out!
Dragon Eggs start as your standard ground spinner but there is a twist!
After spinning on the ground and spraying sparks they break open into little crackling/popping stars all over the ground.

Look for this one soon on our website or come down to the shop.

Leiah Beck Recommends The Joker

The first time I tested this cake I laughed so hard!
60 shots of muticoloured stars that dart around making the most fantastic zipper sounds, this cake totally appealed to my inner-kid, it's destined to be a family favorite.

Look for this one soon on our website or come down to the shop (This one sells out quick folks!)

Archangel Fireworks asks: What are some of your favorite fireworks?