Life is a blast for 'pyro' guys

Jul 05, 2009 (Laurel Leader-Call - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- ARUKF | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Growing up Jason Parker loved fireworks, but he never thought he would make a career out of it. Today, Parker works with Artisan Pyrotechnics Inc., a fireworks company owned by Jack Manis and located in Wiggins. Parker and company directed last night's fireworks show at the Sawmill Square Mall.

The annual event this year included a $7,000 display of 3-inch and 4-inch shells, as well as cake fireworks like the ones sold at fireworks stands only much larger.

Parker, a full-time police officer, said he's directed the Laurel show since the mall started hosting it several years ago. He added that the week of July 4 is always a holiday week for him as he travels from show to show. "I blow up stuff and get paid for it," he said. "I'm a motor officer full time so I get paid to ride a Harley five days a week."

Parker said the Laurel event always draws a sizable crowd. "They like the noise and flash," he said. For this year's event, he brought along a 6-man crew that included his cousin, Dan Parker, and Gary Runge.

Dan, who admitted an attraction to flames as a youngster, said he was hooked on running fireworks shows the first time he tagged along with his cousin.

"It's an adrenaline rush," Dan said. "Once the show's over, your blood is pumping. I look forward to it every year. It's a lot of fun, but a lot of hard work."

Jason said the job can also be a dangerous one and crews have to constantly be on the lookout for falling shells and runaway embers. "Last year, I had a show blow up on me," he said. "An ember lit what's called a tail -- which is what makes the pretty stream in the air -- and blew a rack completely apart. Shells were flying everywhere and one nearly hit me and the camera."

Parker said fireworks are the most dangerous flames one can be around. "Once a firework hits you, it will keep burning until it runs out of oxygen," he said. "It will burn right through your flesh." He added that extra precautions are always taken to prevent stopping the show. "We always keep foil over the fireworks for our finale because there's always a chance of an ember making them go off," he said. "You could also have what is called a low break, which means the shell goes up only about 45 feet rather than the typical 100 to 150 feet. The shell could also not go off, then you have a coconut coming back towards your head."

Parker said what Laurel residents were able to witness Friday night was just the tip of the iceberg. The company also planned to do $15,000 and $20,000 shows this weekend in Pascagoula and Hattiesburg.

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