Display Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Safety and Legal Awareness Courses in Winnipeg

Have you ever dreamed of working behind the scenes at your towns Canada Day celebrations? how about working with a theater production or concert tour as a pyrotechnician?

Here is your chance!

Archangel Fireworks is holding the following two (2) courses:

Display Fireworks Safety and Legal Awareness Course
Date: Sunday October 5, 2014 10am
Location: 104 Pembina Hwy, Winnipeg MB
Cost: $85


Pyrotechnic Special Effects Safety and Legal Awareness Course
Date: Tuesday October 7, 2014 6:15pm
Location: 104 Pembina Hwy, Winnipeg MB
Cost: $85

There is a difference between Display Fireworks and Special Effect Pyrotechnics. Before attending a safety and legal awareness course and applying for a fireworks operator certificate, please ensure that you are attending the correct course and applying for the certificate for the articles you want to acquire, store and use.

Special Effect Pyrotechnics are high-hazard pyrotechnics articles designed for use by professionals. These articles include items such as gerbs, mines, comets and crossettes. These articles would be used in theatre productions, concerts and on film sets. Certification for pyrotechnics also includes special purpose pyrotechnics manufactured for the film and television industry.

Display Fireworks are high-hazard firework articles designed for use by professionals. These articles include items such as aerial shells, cakes, roman candles, waterfalls, lances and wheels. This type of firework would be used for large fireworks displays that take place on Canada Day.
Please contact Archangel directly for more details and information regarding registration:

Archangel Fireworks Inc
Contact/personne-ressource: Ross MacKeen
Email/adresse électronique: ross@archangelfireworks.com

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) - Around the world in 80 fireworks shows

A lot of the time our job brings to a field in the middle of nowhere, but sometimes our job takes us to very cool and exotic locations (where we set up fireworks in a field in the middle of nowhere!)

Montmorency Falls - Quebec City

No matter where we are working we get to be a part of adding a little extra beauty to that spot, and we always get to see stunning sunsets.

Sunset over the Barge in Burrard Inlet - Vancouver BC

Question #10: If you could work anywhere in the world where would you choose?

James:  Spain.  Those people love their fireworks…and maybe Dubai! (who wouldn’t!)

Leiah:  I would love to work anywhere in the world, I love learning different ways of doing things and working with different people and learning a bit about them and how they do things. For example I worked with a crew in Quebec who sang French folk songs during the whole set-up, it was amazing.  Somewhere that has a view would be nice too!  

Ross: I think being in a major centre would be best in fireworks, stereotypically more large shows to be a part of and watch. That’s not saying small towns don’t or can’t do it well or big enough, because there are some rocking shows in smaller communities. One of my favorite fireworks happenings is stadium stuff at the big US stadiums. I’d love to be able to do more of that, like we did earlier this year for the Bombers stadium.

Adam:  Scotland. Nothing like low breaks in the highlands.

Candice: There is a competition in Montreal called, L’International des Feux Loto Quebec, that is on my bucket list. There is nothing better than watching your company compete. I cry every time!

Kelly: Long term- Winnipeg;  2 weeks at a time- anywhere

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) - The Weather

So I got a little busy with the start of the season and didn't get around to continuing our blog series for a couple weeks, I am so sorry about that.  Hopefully you missed us (Hopefully you are enjoying this little look into life as a pyrotechnician!)

There is one thing that Canadians LOVE to talk about, the weather, we wear it like a badge of honour when we are talking about the harsh conditions we endure... and we complain about it constantly among ourselves.  When you work outside in the elements as we do it becomes a pretty big part of your life!

Surviving bad weather in comfort and style!

Question # 9: What is the worst weather conditions you have ever had to work in?

James:  Thunder storm at Harbor Fest in Kenora, but I haven't shot in winter yet so I think the New Years Eve show at The Forks might be interesting in minus whatever temps....

Leiah: It’s a toss-up between a valentine’s day show with a -50 windchill and a show where we had to be evacuated due to a tornado warning.

Ross:  Cold. -35 before the windchill. Sucks. Bigtime.

Adam:  Blazing hot midsummer heat nearing 40°C and 100% humidity. Basically a fetid swamp.

Candice: 18 hours in -40 degrees is never fun not matter what you are doing, even if you truly love your job!

Kelly:  40 degree heat with 100% humidity / -40 degree cold with 0% humidity

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) - Oh Canada!

Here at Archangel Fireworks we like to push the envelope when it comes to fireworks soundtracks.  We have shot to anything from Prince to Aphex Twin and Soundtracks from The Wizard of Oz to Godzilla.  We get to have the most fun when it comes to competition soundtracks.  When it comes to shows for clients, like any fireworks company, we still need to make our customers happy and use music that suits the event.  Oh Canada and many classic Canadian artists for Canada day, Auld Lang Syne for New Years Eve....you get the idea.

When you are designing a show you often end up listening to that song over and over again, until it plays in a continuous loop in your head....have you ever had Oh Canada stuck in your head for three weeks straight?  As patriotic as you may be, it will start to get to you.

Even our little Canadian buddy might not want to hear our National Anthem on repeat.

Question # 8: If you could design a show to any song in the world, what would it be and why?

James: ‘One of These Days' and 'Time’ by Pink Floyd....or the whole 'Delicate Sound of Thunder' album!  They have the perfect rhythm, guitar, and drumming to match fireworks effects to.


Leiah: ‘It’s Oh So Quiet’ by Bjork would be fun, it’s really dynamic with lots of personality.


Ross: There really isn’t one particular song. I just wish more event organizers would recognize that this is what we do. When we suggest certain songs, it’s not because they are songs we listen to all the time; it’s because they work, and are good fireworks songs. One of my personal favorites is ‘Zooster’s Breakout’ from the Madagascar soundtrack. 


Adam : “The Four Horsemen” by Aphrodite’s Child. Greek prog-rock masterpiece with dynamic movements and a wickedly epic finale.


Candice: 2:56 to 3:40 of the song “I’m kissing you” by Des’ree from the Romeo and Juliet sound track. I have always loved the instrumental section and with an unlimited budget I think it would be a very powerful section of a show. I have designed it in my car 1000 times with hand gestures. I always wonder that people think when I do that. I must look crazy!

Now that you are getting to know us, would you like to join the Archangel team?

Not only is Archangel Fireworks is HIRING for the fireworks season, the 2014 Display Fireworks Safety and Awareness Course has now been scheduled for May 25th 2014.

This is a full day course which is a pre-requisite to obtaining your display fireworks supervisor license from the Explosives Regulatory Division.
If you are interested in joining the ranks please contact ross@archangelfireworks.com

We also have two warehouse positions available and one part time showroom position.  View the job postings here: 

Warehouse Position

Showroom Position

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) - War Stories

When you see a fabulous fireworks show, you probably aren't thinking about what the crew did that day to set it up, or what challenges they may have faced.  Not everything always goes as smoothly as we would like, but we pull it off, we get through it and we create those fabulous fireworks shows despite what seem to be insurmountable odds.  These kinds of setbacks happen in most jobs, but throw outdoor events, celebrating general public, weather, and explosives into the mix and you can find yourself in some pretty interesting situations.  Get a group of us together and the stories start flying and we wear those stories like a badge of honour.

Question #7: What is your favorite story to tell when swapping fireworks “war stories” with other techs?

James: When the Celtic Festival ordered their show.  They got a show that would normally be shot in 17-20 minutes and requested it be shot in just over 4 minutes.  We really burnt the sky that night...it was quite cool.

Leiah: I was on my third show in as many days.  This one was electrical and on a barge and the weather was not co-operating.  The organizer decided that they wanted to postpone the show until the next day, honestly I was thrilled, I was exhausted and was looking forward to some food and getting a good nights sleep. The crew and I headed to the hotel and settled in for the night.  At 9:30pm there was a knock on the door.  The rain had let up and the organizer wanted us to go ahead with the show.  We set that show up in the dark, holding our flashlights in our mouths, while the barge was being towed out to its anchoring spot.  By the skin of our teeth we got that thing planted and fired.  The finale was a massive amount of salutes and it shook the rain out of the clouds, the heavens opened up and it just poured on us!

Ross:  When I first got into fireworks, I was working both at the mag, and helping the office guy for the summer. The company I worked for shipped product to a guy in rural Saskatchewan for his July 1 show. I answered when he called to confirm availability of certain colours and effects, and we were confirming the last details of his show before we shipped. I asked him if he needed any quickmatch or delay fuse. He said he didn’t know what delay fuse was, and I explained it was a fuse to tie shells together, it helped some people with timing of their shows. His reply to that… That’s what he used beer for. He bought a six pack. He knew how fast he drank a beer, and he would time out his show and put down the next beer where he wanted to be fireworks vs. time wise. He knew he had to shoot slower or faster depending on how much beer he had left and how far away the next bottle was. To this day I have no idea if he was kidding or not.

Adam:  You aren’t supposed to talk about those, are you?

Candice: This story is entitled, “The night a lit the cake at the wrong time!”

It was my very first show as a member of an Archangel Fireworks crew. I was terrified and so nervous; it was like I was on the worst job interview ever.

The lead supervisor gave me very specific instruction as I was to light the commercial cakes when he called my name. Instructions that should have been pretty easy to follow.... Right?... Unless a flare detonates in that same supervisors hand in the middle of the show. Needless to say, that is exactly what happened that night. When the supervisor called my name, he was not signaling me to light the next cake, he was trying to get my attention so I would give him my already lit flare. I didn’t exactly get the message and continued to light cakes.

Turns out, there was another Archangel Fireworks supervisor in the crowd that night. When he came over following the show, the first question he asked was who was lighting cakes at the wrong time. I was mortified!

Kelly: I enjoy mentioning the snipers on the rooftops around my rooftop at the games.  Talking about my other favorites often starts by making sure my audience should be privy to the stories.

Now that you are getting to know us, would you like to join the Archangel team?

Archangel Fireworks is HIRING for the 2014 fireworks season.  We have two warehouse positions available and one part time showroom position.  View the job postings here: 

Warehouse Position

Showroom Position

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)

So during this series we have talked about all the usual fireworks stuff, we know a bit about how we like to work and our show preferences.  But that's a little boring.  We wanted to know the exciting stuff, the stuff you don't usually get to hear about.

Question #6: What is the craziest thing that has ever happened to you on a site?

James: I was setting up in Thunder Bay and was in the process of loading the shells in the guns when I catch movement out of the corner of my eye.  I look up to a deer standing right beside me about 6 feet away munching on some foliage.  She was about to be in for quite a surprise!

Leiah:  I had a guy who needed access to my site to ask his girlfriend to marry him on the bridge where they had had their first date; we had closed off the bridge for the show therefore ruining his entire plan. He and I chatted for a bit and I allowed him to bring her just inside the ramp onto the bridge for his proposal,  I couldn’t stand in the way of true love!  (She said yes.)

Ross:  We had a bridge closed down for a festival show, meaning people had to find an alternative to get across. Some dude thought it didn’t apply to him, so he punched our female security guard and sprinted past her. I saw this and yelled to the crew. Unbeknownst to the trespasser, three members of the crew were court bailiffs, including one who’s main responsibility was to teach self defense to the other bailiffs. Needless to say the dude didn’t make it into the actual loaded fireworks area. He was tackled, escorted out, and driven away by the cops. Only to see those same bailiffs on Monday morning to escort him into his court hearing. Apparently he had a meth problem; he plead guilty to trespassing.

Adam:  After one show,  I witnessed two young lovers in the throes of passion not 40 feet from me.

Candice: What hasn’t happened?!? Crowd control always makes a show interesting!

But if I had to pick only one story, it would have to be my very first show on the Coast. So there I was, all dressed up in my turn out gear on a boat off to the barge which was positioned in the middle of the cove just off the Port Hardy coast line. I was a happy combination of excited and terrified, it was awesome!

 I was watching the sunset from the edge of the barge, waiting for show time, when a humpback whale breached about 50 yards from the barge.

We put on a terrific show that night but nothing could over shadow what I had seen that afternoon. It truly was a memorable first show.

Kelly: I was awarded my first international trophy

Now that you are getting to know us, would you like to join the Archangel team?

Archangel Fireworks is HIRING for the 2014 fireworks season.  We have two warehouse positions available and one part time showroom position.  View the job postings here:Warehouse Position

Showroom Position

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