Detroit fireworks 2018: Where, when, and how to watch the show

Marc Daalder | Detroit Free Press

Show Caption Hide Caption Images of the 2017 Ford Fireworks Watch images from the 2017 Ford Fireworks display, over the Detroit River on Monday, June 26, 2017. Photos by Mary Schroeder and Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press

It will be a spectacular sight Monday when more than 10,000 fireworks launch from a barge in the Detroit River in just 24 minutes for the 60th anniversary of the pyrotechnic display.

The Free Press sat down with Patrick Brault, choreographer of the Ford Fireworks show, to speak about his design process. The Montreal native has designed displays for the Olympics and World Cup in the past and won a handful of industry competitions.

Detroit fireworks music

"Everything starts with a soundtrack," he explained.

The soundtrack this year was arranged by the Parade Co., known for coordinating the city's annual Thanksgiving Day parade but which also has handled the fireworks since 1983.

Because the theme of this year's show is "Come Alive in the D!", the Parade Co. is using songs that are "meaningful to the region," said CEO Tony Michaels.

Brault begins his process by listening to the soundtrack 10-15 times, he said. During these initial runs, he begins to build up images of the show in his head, sketching out ebbing and waning, changes of pace, and notable moments.

By the time he has completed several cycles of listening, drafting, and re-listening, Brault has built a "basic architecture" for the show — the rough structure the pyrotechnics and music will follow. After synchronizing the two, "the last thing that I do is put in the hits, the bangs." Those are the biggest, brightest, and loudest fireworks, perfectly timed to coincide with crescendos and climaxes.

Finally, "I look at how much money I’ve spent," he said with a laugh.

How long is the show?

This year's show will last 24 minutes. Brault said that's "just a little bit longer" than the usual 15-20 minute show, but thinks it hits the sweet spot of being engaging but not dragging on. This will be his 10th year with the Detroit production.

Working in Detroit also provides a unique opportunity for a choreographer, Brault said. While most shows have an audience in one place and fireworks in another, the annual Detroit show has two audiences — one on each side of the river.

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This year's show will be the biggest yet, with more than 10,000 pyrotechnic devices involved. Michaels told the Free Press, "You need to have your seat belt on when the show starts."

Shawn Wilson, manager for community engagement at Ford, said people who saw the show as kids will be visiting with their children or grandchildren.

"It's an inter-generational tradition," he said.

Viewing tips for 2018 Detroit fireworks