When Natasha Calder and Dustin Stratford light the fireworks fuses at midnight on New Year's Eve they won't be setting off a handful of roman candles or sparkles.
Instead, this Coquitlam duo will be working some pyrotechnic magic to put on a professional-level show at Maple Creek middle school. At just 18, Stratford got his start at the 2010 Olympics opening ceremonies shortly after earning his fireworks licence.
The connections he made there netted him his dream gig a short time later - the summertime Celebration of Light at English Bay.
"My first few shows I was just assisting and learning the ropes," said the 19-year-old Stratford. "Now the two of us are doing our own shows."
Calder, a soft-spoken 21-year-old, got bit by the fireworks bug when she got to go "backstage" at one of Stratford's shows. She too got her licence so that she could get a more hands-on experience and the two have since put on two Halloween shows under the Celebration Fireworks banner; this will be their second New Year's Eve event.
After spending about $1,500 on the shells of various shapes and sizes (with fanciful names like red chrysanthemum and pink peony) they hope to recoup the cost of the show by collecting donations.
The fireworks show is at Maple Creek middle school (3700 Hastings St., Port Coquitlam) from 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
