PyroFest opens at campground
WORTH TWP — Visitors to Cooper's Lake Campground Friday night started their Memorial Day weekend with a blast.
The campground was host to the opening night of the fourth annual PyroFest fireworks display, presented by Pyrotecnico.
The first three annual festivals were held at Hartwood Acres in Allegheny County.
“We chose this venue because it is three times the size, which helps us expand the footprint of the event,” said Darcy Kucenic, an event organizer with Pyrotecnico.
The display started off with a daytime colored smoke blast just before dusk. The colored smoke carried the same boom as traditional fireworks.
Musician B.E. Taylor then played a set on the main stage before the fireworks started back up after 9 p.m.
Rob Mikita and Kelly McElfresh of Butler Township said they were excited to see the fireworks.
“I think these are better than the Fourth of July,” Mikita said.
Mikita's children, Ethan, 10, and Elise, 6, both said they were excited about the night.
Ethan said he likes the fireworks that sparkle after the initial boom.
“I like the ones that are colorful,” Elise said.
Mikita said the family may not be fireworks enthusiasts, but said they enjoy the shows.
“We went last year and they had a good time,” he said of the children.
The event featured the Fantasy in the Sky display, which was designed as part of a contest.
“It's an amateur fireworks display choreographed to music,” said Kucenic. “It was designed using computer software.”
The runner-up in the contest, Andrew DiCola, had his performance Friday, while the winner, Jason Farrell, will present Saturday.The night concluded with a “Voyage Through the Universe” display by Pyrotecnico.While fireworks were the center of attention, the event featured other attractions this year, including live bands, a Ferris wheel and a variety of vendors.Thousands of people shuffled into the park, many hours before the fireworks lit up the sky.“This is the first year it's a two-day event,” Kucenic said. “We had about 10,000 people last year. Hopefully this year is more. We certainly have the space for it.”Mike Thompson Jr. of Pittsburgh made the trip up with his family, arriving about two hours before the fireworks began. He and his son, Jared, 12, passed the time before the show playing catch.“We heard about the fireworks and figured it would be a nice start to the weekend,” Thompson said.Jared said he has seen professional fireworks displays in the past.“I saw them after a Pirates game,” the young baseball fan said.Diane Mortenson of New Castle and her husband, Larry, got to the venue early to get a seat near the front of the lawn.She said they expected to attend both nights.“We love a good fireworks show,” she said.Mortenson had a camera set up on a tripod with hopes of catching some memorable pictures, although she said she wasn't quite sure how to best photograph the nighttime display.“I'm not exactly sure what settings to use,” she joked. “I hope it works out all right.”The event will continue Saturday night with even more attractions, including a fireworks display from a show by Ricardo Caballer, an internationally known pyrotechnician from Spain.The night also will feature the debut of Pyrotecnico's “Voyage through Hollywood” display.Gates open at 3 p.m.
