Behind the scenes at a fireworks show

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - They dazzle and delight.

A soaring tribute to a nation always searching out new heights.

But all of that sparkle first starts with a little sweat.

"People don't realize," says Dave Evans with Zambelli Fireworks, which did fireworks for the Cityfolk Festival. "They think you walk over and it's done in 15 minutes."

All it took for Evans to get involved with fireworks was a single spark 

"They came in one night at school in Youngstown and asked if anybody wanted to make some money over the Fourth and that's how I got started," Evans says.

Since then, he's seen more blow-outs than a tire repair shop, but there's still nothing like that first one each time.

"Oh, it's anxiety up until the first shell leaves," Evans says.

These days computers control the firing, which helps synchronize the show but frays the nerves.

"Am I gonna get a blue screen?" says Dave. "You just never know."

But even with the technology involved, there are no shortcuts to setting up a show.

It can take two days to get the equipment in place and another two days to load the shells, all while Mother Nature provides her own fireworks.

"It's hot," Evans says. "You have to keep hydrated and take breaks. It's a lot slower."

After one show, it's on to the next, but business isn't booming like it once was.

Budget issues have forced some smaller communities to forego their fireworks.

"That was the bread and butter of the company and like everyone else everyone it lost the small shows because they couldn't afford to do them anymore," Evans says.

But as long as there's a Fourth, there will be fireworks.

While many love the show itself, for Evans the best moment is when the fireworks end and the applause begins.

"It feels good after a hard days work," Evans says.