The crew of firework professionals in winter beanies and sunglasses unravel long lines of white cable atop Denver's Sheraton Hotel. It all leads to a red control box off to the side. The crew of trained pyrotechnicians is prepping for the New Year's Eve firework celebration this Sunday.
Three islands of close proximity pyrotechnics - the same kind used in sports venues and parking garages - are hidden under black plastic from the natural elements of a chilly downtown rooftop. The islands are full of plastic and cardboard tubes similar in appearance to what many might see at our 4th of July fireworks tent - except bigger, more expensive and stacked in long rows.
"So far it's looking like this is going to be the best weather we've had in the past few years," said Zach Taminosian, pyrotechnician and SVP of Zambelli Fireworks. "We're producing light and color with fire and explosives, but we're tying it in with very precise electronics too."
Two 8-minute firework shows will take place on Sunday, December 31, at 9 p.m. and midnight. Launched simultaneously from two downtown rooftops, spectators can expect prime viewing locations along the 16th street mall.
"Whether you're spending your New Year's just walking around downtown, if you're downstairs here at the Sheraton at Bezel Bar or checking out a new restaurant over by Union Station, the fireworks really provide a magical backdrop for however you want to spend your New Years Eve," said Britt Diehl, director and spokesperson for Downtown Denver Partnership.
In collaboration with VISIT DENVER, the Downtown Denver Business Improvement District and the Sheraton Denver Downtown, the 22nd Annual New Year's Eve Fireworks are part of the city's efforts to activate the weekend's celebration.
The orchestra of explosives intended to help ring in the new year are planned months in advance.
According to Taminosian, planning includes music curation, product design, packing and assembly.
"The product is then pulled, numbered, packed," Taminosian said. "Once it gets into our local facility, we assemble it into the positions that we are standing in front of right now."
Taminosian grew up loving fireworks. He got his start with the production of a local parade in his hometown. That snowballed into a 13-year career with Zambelli Fireworks.
"We've got black powder, similar to what's used in black powder rifles or cannons. That's what propels the effects up in the air," Taminosian explained. "When you start getting into the color development, the chemistry of the stars themselves, it's a combination of oxidizers, fuels, metal salts that produce the colors you see. It's a very precise chemistry."
When asked if the altitude affects the fireworks he says yes, but it's minimal.
"It's not very noticeable by the human eye," Tasminosian said. "It can affect burst height a little. Sometimes, with production of smoke, different altitudes and pressures can make the smoke hang, dissipate faster or longer."
As part of the weekend festivities, Denverites can visit other fun installations around the city including The Mile High Tree at Civic Center Park, Denver's free holiday ice rink at Skyline Park and a Union Station New Year's Party.
There are lots of ways to celebrate New Year's Eve in Denver this weekend. But for Taminosian the best part of it all is hearing the cheers from a crowd down below.
"That means that we've done our job correctly. We've put smiles on faces."
