Traverse City, MI — The team from the United Kingdom took home bragging rights to claim victory during the International Fireworks Championship (IFC) presented by GFL Environmental last night in Traverse City. The team captured the juried award presented by a panel of pyrotechnic expert judges based on performances by six teams over the two-day event.

 

Each team had up to 15 minutes to stage their show and were given specific guidelines to follow. Judging was based on choreography, synchronization to music, and the overall experience.

 

In addition to the juried awards, Best of Show trophies were given to the teams with the highest scores based on an audience vote for each night of the presentations. Friday’s Best of Show award was given to Team Finland, while Team India captured the crown for Saturday night.

 

“We are ecstatic to win this competition,” said Stephen Harriott from Team U.K. The team, from SelStar Fireworks, started working on the IFC show about two months ago. “We felt proud about the show,” said designer, Iain Keightley. “We do this to entertain the people.”

 

Six teams competed during the International Fireworks Championship. Fireworks competitions are rare in the U.S., but more common in Europe and other parts of the world. In addition to the winning teams, competitors also came from Australia, the Philippines, and the USA.

 

“Every team put on a spectacular show,” said Traverse City Tourism President, Trevor Tkach (Tah-kosh). “To be invited to Traverse City they had to have won other competitions around the world. Their performances were carefully planned months in advance, and their meticulous attention to detail created an electrifying show.”

 

Now in its second year, the International Fireworks Championship played to a crowd of over 13 thousand people during the two-day event. Saturday's show was a sell out. 

 

Sponsors included GFL Environmental, Turtle Creek Casino and Hotel, Ebels General Store, truenorth Stores, 4Front Credit Union, the Carrithers Family, Fox Grand Traverse, Michigan Air National Guard, OAV, Blast! Events, and TVC Airport. The show is produced by Traverse City Tourism.

 

More information will be available at www.TraverseCity.com.

ABOUT TRAVERSE CITY TOURISM
Traverse City Tourism is an independent, not-for-profit destination management organization (DMO) that promotes the greater Traverse City area as a leisure and business destination with an excellent quality-of-life. Through the impact of travel, Traverse City Tourism helps strengthen the local economy and supports a thriving entrepreneurial community. Details on the region's lodging, attractions, and area events are available at TraverseCity.com.  

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Photo credit: John Konkal