ST. CLOUD -- This week in our "Behind the Scenes" series on WJON, we go back to the archives and show you how they set up the St. Cloud fireworks display.

The annual 4th of July fireworks show has not only been a tradition for spectators but also for the crews with Pyrotechnic Displays.

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"I just love the thrill of being out here, working with the explosives and putting on the show," says Al Tarman.

Tarman has been working with Pyrotechnic Displays for about 17 years and says there is a lot of work and planning that goes into the show each year.

"There's a lot of prep work before hand. Then when the day comes you have to lower the explosives into the tubes and run the wires to the control boxes," says Tarman.

The crew has about 75 crates full of fireworks and Tarman says when handling the explosive being aware of your surroundings is important.

"We don't work with any electronics once the explosives are out and then when are setting up we are always watching our step," says Tarman.

Set up for the show takes about two days for a 20 minute show, but Tarman says while it's a lot of work, its worth it.

"There is nothing that compares to being out here setting up the show and then having the adrenaline of watching the show in person and hearing the crowd afterwards, it's all worth it in the end," says Tarman.

The show starts at 10:00 p.m. and you can see them from both Hester and Wilson park.

Crews from Pyrotechnic Displays begin putting the explosives in for tomorrow's show. (Photo: Alex Svejkovsky, WJON News)
Crews from Pyrotechnic Displays begin putting the explosives in for tomorrow's show. (Photo: Alex Svejkovsky, WJON News)
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