Fireworks make a thrilling career

NORTH SALT LAKE — It would have taken weeks for one person to create and choreograph Monday night's pyrotechnic spectacular in North Salt Lake.

Lucky for Ken Lantis, president of Lantis Fireworks, who shot Monday night's show, he had a bit of help.

Lantis and a few other pyrotechnicians endured a hectic hour before the show as they wired the gear, made sure everything was in place and checked the safety equipment.

Against the backdrop of a classic Great Salt Lake sunset, a crowd of thousands gathered.

As darkness settled in, Lantis flipped on a head lamp above a control panel, which held numbers, clamps and wires connected to hundreds of tubes stocked with fireworks. He briefed his crew on where to stand, and on the timing, and sent someone to handle crowd control. A quiet rehearsal was held and then the countdown began.

After the first touch on the control board, the sound was deafening. The sky lit up and debris fell, landing on shoulders and the ground nearby. Two fires began, but they were quickly put out and a series of blasts went off unexpectedly. But the patriotic anthems blared and the crowd screamed.

After the finale, ears were ringing — but Lantis and his crew were smiling, hugging — and the crowd was still cheering.

These pyros now have a day of cleanup ahead, but for them it was all worth it.

This time of year, pyrotechnicians in the company are working around the clock. But they say the 20-minute reward and thrill of a show is all they need to keep them going.

"An artist paints his picture on canvas. I like to paint mine in the sky — the explosions, the feeling. . . . It's still a rush, even after 60 years," Lantis said.

Lantis has been in the fireworks business since he was a child. But he still gets butterflies before shooting.

"Take the thrill of a roller coaster and times it by 100 — that's what you get," Lantis said

His father, Merle, founded the company in South Dakota in 1945.

Lantis took the reins some 30 years ago and has seen the company grow from a few fireworks stands to a multimillion-dollar business presenting displays in countries all over the world. But the headquarters are tucked away in Fairfield, Utah County, because Lantis said the state has the best skiing you can find.