This 4th of July, Lopez Community Fireworks is celebrating its 30th anniversary the best way it knows how to, by giving a spectacular light show. At 10:30 p.m., on July 4, the all-volunteer team will light off 16 sets of fireworks during what has been come to be known as the second largest fireworks show in the state of Washington.

“The sky is the canvas, fire is our paint,” said Lopez Community Fireworks’s Pyrotechnic Director Nick Gislason. “These types of effects you won’t see anywhere else.”

This year is extra special, as Lopez Fireworks is taking over as the curator of the Friday Harbor show as well.

“Friday Harbor is gonna get the best fireworks show they’ve ever had,” said Fireworks volunteer John Moore.

The Friday Harbor show will be held 30 minutes prior to the Lopez show. Though Lopez Fireworks is producing both of the shows, each show is seperately funded by their own island.

Members of the team include residents from Lopez, San Juan and Orcas islands, and they spend 12-24 months planning for the show.

According to Gislason, the team has perfected an unique combination of traditional effects which have earned it awards from Pyrotechnics Guild International and The Northwest Pyrotechnics Association.

Lopez Fireworks is very greatful for the community support they have received, allowing them to put on such a successful show year after year. This year, the show will feature 69 10″ shells, which is the most fireworks ever done in a Lopez firework display.

Lopez Fireworks has a signature style utilizing Japanese Tradition.

“Artistically, this style of fireworks presentation is all about contrast in time, noise, light and space, and the appreciation of individual fireworks effects and their characteristic nuances,” said Gislason.