The Townsend team began their work at the Collierville IDC after Tammy left her job as Special Events Coordinator for the Town in 2005 to become a teacher at Collierville Elementary School. She was contacted by the owner of Pyro Shows, a pyrotechnics company in LaFollette, Tennessee, to ask if she’d like to work part-time at shows in West Tennessee. She did, and David joined her not long after. The Townsends became licensed pyro technicians in 2008 and have since done fireworks displays at a long list of events and venues including 901FC soccer, Memphis Redbirds baseball, University of Memphis football and Collierville High School football games. They occasionally help at Mississippi State and Ole Miss football games as well, and in the past have done shows at Bellevue Baptist Church, the Memphis Showboats, and multiple concerts and weddings.

We asked the Townsends some questions about their years of experience working this very unusual (and exciting!) side gig, and here’s what they had to say:

Did you have to go through special training? How long did that take? Becoming a pyrotechnician for Pyro Shows in Tennessee typically involves gaining practical experience through apprenticeships or under experienced professionals. Certification processes vary by state but in Tennessee, it includes passing exams that demonstrate knowledge of safety regulations, emergency procedures, and proper handling of pyrotechnic devices. Additionally, we must complete a minimum of 8 hours of training every two years to keep the certification. Ongoing training is essential to stay updated on safety practices, new technologies, and regulatory changes in the field.

 Do you have to wear special safety gear when you do it? That depends on the show that we are doing and what product we are using. Some bigger shows require full personal protective equipment including hard hats, goggles, and full projective clothing. Others, such as football games, have minimal requirements.

 Do you refer to yourselves as “fireworks professionals”? We are "fireworks professionals" in every sense of the words, but we sometimes feel more like kids with fireworks who get to entertain others! We are trained and certified to handle, design, and execute fireworks displays safely and effectively. Pyrotechnicians must understand the technical aspects of fireworks, including their chemical compositions and behavior, as well as the regulatory requirements for their storage, transportation, and use.

 Do you design the fireworks display yourselves or does the company do that? We don’t design the overall show. That is done at the main office of Pyro Shows in Lafollette, Tennessee. Some shows are choregraphed to music or even a live orchestra. Some shows, like Collierville, want a fast paced 18-minutes with an awesome finale. We can make some minor adjustments if we see that a particular firework would look good during a part of the show, based on the music.

 Have you had any particularly memorable fireworks experiences, good or bad? Both of us attended the University of Memphis, and we now have the privilege of shooting fireworks at the Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. One particularly memorable experience was in 2019, when ESPN Game Day came to town for the sold-out Memphis vs. SMU game. Shooting the fireworks for that event was incredibly exciting and a true highlight of our careers. Of course, the Tigers pulled off the victory!

What do you like best about doing fireworks shows? The excitement that the fireworks bring to events. The roar of the crowd at the end of a show (or when the Tigers score a touchdown)!

What do you like least? The heat!! This year, temps are expected to be around 94 to 98 each day during the setup of this show.

How long do you think you will continue doing fireworks? We're not sure. We have been with Pyro Shows since 2006 and still enjoy it. But as we get older, working the hot days do tend to be more challenging. At some point, we are likely to stop working on the large shows but will continue to work smaller, one-day events.

Is there anything else you would like to add? Each show Pyro Shows produces is unique. Early in our careers, many shows were shot manually using a road flare while wearing fireman's turnout gear. Now, technology has significantly advanced. Most shows during July are shot with switch panels, such as Collierville. But shows can be operated using remote systems that handle everything for you. Our team at Pyro Shows can script an entire display to synchronize with music and upload it into our firing systems. All it takes is a press of a button to start and enjoy the show. Many of our smaller shows, such as football games or even Redbirds games, are all scripted for remote systems now. This makes the inherently dangerous fireworks business safer and provides a better experience for the audience.

One final and VERY important note - fireworks are very dangerous. We take many precautions to ensure the safety of our audience. However, when dealing with explosives, the unexpected can happen. Please follow the directions of all safety personnel when at a firework show. Stay out of the marked fallout zone. A fireworks display is truly better viewed from further away - not to mention a lot safer!

One final question for the Townsends:

Is doing the Collierville Independence Day Celebration the most fun because it’s your own town? As town residents, we believe the Collierville IDC is the best show around. It is a large display show that is fast paced and exciting. It's fun to hear the cheers from the crowd afterwards with the added bonus of knowing we have entertained our friends and neighbors!

Come and be entertained tonight! The fun will take place at H.W. Cox Park at 440 Powell Road. The food vendors will open at 6:00 p.m., the music will start at 7:00 p.m., and the fireworks began at 9:30 p.m.