A colorful, sparkling gift ‘for the city of Bend’: Sureshot Fireworks prepares fifth annual Pilot Butte display

(Update: Adding comments from pyrotechnicians, Bend Fire)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The colorful, bombastic Pilot Butte Fireworks Show is just a day away, and Sure Shot Fireworks and fire officials are preparing for the big night.

Chris Mattison with Sureshot Fireworks said Thursday, "We increased the show for you guys this year for the team, for the city of Bend. We're ready to rock a show for you guys!"

Hundreds of fireworks, big mortars, and the longest show so far are all in store for viewers of the display.

"You're going to see a plethora," said Mattison. "We're going to be shooting so many shells that the whole butte will be lit the whole time. We have shells that when they break, they'll be just as large as the butte itself."

The butte is hosed down for three days before the show, to ensure fires that are sparked don't grow. Four volunteer fire crews also will be on the scene, extinguishing any problems throughout the night.

Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki has worked the holiday for years.

"You'll be able to see all the headlamps run around the side of the butte. We have fire trucks that are mobile and fire trucks in place with hoses off of them," he said. "They're ready to go. They can get to those fires very quickly and get them stopped. Last year, we had no fires. One year before, we had two spot fires. So kind of goes back and forth."

Sureshot Fireworks gained community support for this year's show, with materials like wood, sand, and trailers. The show is sponsored by Subaru of Bend. 

The show begins at 10 p.m. Friday and lasts more than 20 minutes. The butte will be back open to the public on July 6th. 

And remember: You can watch the fireworks displays in Bend and Redmond as well on the Fourth of July Live Fireworks Spectacular, at 10 p.m. Friday on KTVZ and starting at 9:45 p.m. on KTVZ+.