Although fireworks purportedly were invented in the second century B.C. in ancient Liuyang, China, and continue to be enjoyed the world over, fireworks hold a special meaning for Americans, whose pyrotechnic-filled Fourth of July celebrations commemorate this country’s founding.
At the University of Oklahoma, fireworks have played center stage for many years at spring Commencement—when students celebrate a different kind of kind of independence. It’s a display that rivals many of the large fireworks displays held by communities across the region in observance of Independence Day. Longtime OU Commencement coordinator Becky Heeney said the university has enjoyed a longtime association with Oklahoma-based Western Enterprises Inc. and its owner and president, Jim Burnett, on these productions, as well at home football games and other OU sporting events.
Fireworks Company’s Early History
Jim Burnett’s father, Norman Burnett, established the fireworks company in 1946. Originally known as Burnett Fireworks, it was located on a 15-acre tract of land in Enid. In 1950, Norman purchased a fireworks company in Denver, Colorado, which was named Western Fireworks. The company soon expanded into Colorado and New Mexico.
Norman retained the name Western and began selling fireworks displays to towns throughout the region—typically to city fire departments, chambers of commerce, and a variety of civic clubs, including the Jaycees.
Interestingly, Jim points out, most of these groups actually did the production work themselves.
“This was back in the time when all aerial fireworks (aerial shells) were ‘fired’ by people who would ignite the fireworks shells with railroad flares. Aerial shells were loaded into steel pipe mortars that were buried under ground, the fuses were extended out of the top of the steel pipe, then a designated individual would crouch down and light the fuse with the railroad flare. … WHOOSH! Not for the faint of heart!”
Norman eventually expanded his territory to include Kansas, Texas, Missouri, Wyoming and Utah.
In 1961, at the age of 13, Jim began working at the fireworks facility, and staging fireworks displays quickly became his passion. As fireworks displays began to grow and increase, Jim says he wanted to change the company’s direction to begin handling larger and more complex fireworks displays and changed the business’ name to Western Enterprises to reflect its growth. Norman worked alongside his son until his death at age 92.
Western Enterprises Under Jim’s Leadership
Although Norman has passed, Jim says his legacy “still lives on today as the cornerstone of the company, with his commitment of service to his customers.”
Otherwise, the business has evolved into a much grander affair. Today, celebrants expect a multimedia show, and Western Enterprises obliges with large-scale productions that are designed and choreographed to music, a complex effort that required the development of wireless transmitting devices that can be programmed and fired remotely, Jim says.
Their growing reputation as a producer of large-scale, beautiful and safe pyrotechnics shows led to their being selected for several large-scale endeavors.
In 1988, the company was selected to help facilitate a truly unique pyrotechnic production—at the bottom of the Havasu Canyon of Arizona.
“This production ironically came about through a contest in Japan, sponsored by Japan Airlines and Dentsu Advertising,” Jim recalled. “The concept was for entrants to write a brief ‘what would be your dream’ piece. The prize-winning entrant was a Japanese fireworks artist by the name of Mr. Mutoh. His dream was to watch his own fireworks be fired from the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
“Obviously, the U.S. government would not allow fireworks to be fired in the Grand Canyon National Park, and so the producer of the contest chose Havasu Canyon, which is part of the infrastructure of the Grand Canyon, as the location where Mr. Mutoh’s dream would be fulfilled. This was a once-in-a-lifetime, wonderful experience.”
The next year, Western Enterprises was commissioned to produce the pyrotechnics for the Oklahoma City Centennial, staging pyrotechnic performances from multiple locations and rooftops.
From there, one might say the company “exploded”—both in terms of its physical operations and its scope.
1990: operations moves to a 160-acre property in Carrier, Oklahoma
1991: company begins manufacturing fireworks through its subsidiary, Skyworks Ltd., providing fireworks for Disney World and Disneyland
1996: company stages a pyrotechnic production at Disney World for the International Symposium
Dec. 31, 2001: Western produces the then-largest show in company history: the Denver Mile Long Millennium Celebration, which was staged from multiple rooftops and various locations along the 16th Street Mall in Denver
2002: Jim’s daughter, Sarah Burnett-Pecha, joins Western Enterprises, and today serves the company as vice president
2004: in association with Walt Disney Entertainment, produces the spectacular City of Houston: “Freedom Over Texas – Wish Upon A Lone Star”
2007: after their selection as the official purveyor of pyrotechnics for Oklahoma’s Centennial, company stages the opening ceremonies for the Centennial in Tulsa, which features an elaborate show staged from five rooftops in downtown Tulsa as well as one main aerial site. The event also included images and video segments of the 100-year history of the state of Oklahoma that were projected on one side of a 35-story building downtown, while multiple laser positions provided a matrix of beams across the skyline. The closing ceremonies were staged in downtown Oklahoma City, where pyrotechnics were launched from three major locations simultaneously.
2012: Western helps facilitate for the Japanese government the 100th anniversary of the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., featuring a special Daylight Pyrotechnic Performance in the Potomac River, during which the main runway at Reagan International Airport was closed for the eight-minute duration of the fireworks performance
“Through the seven decades we have been in operation, at the end of the day, our focus is on our home state, where we live,” says Jim. “We are proud Okies, and we enjoy performing in the cities and towns across our state, whether it is for a sporting event, 4th of July celebration, other holidays or private parties.
“Another thing I am certain of is that it truly has been a privilege for our company to have the opportunity of staging pyrotechnics for so many special celebrations and sporting events at the University of Oklahoma during a 20-year tenure.”
Because of the pandemic, Jim didn't have a summer/fall event schedule to share with readers, though he hopes to be back to OU soon to help add pizzazz to Sooner sports as well as Commencement.
U.S. FLAG PROTOCOLS & ETIQUETTE
About to hoist the U.S. flag in preparation for Independence Day? Before you do, you may wish to take a few moments to review some of the protocols involved. We’ve listed only a few; for more information, check out the web, where you’ll find a wealth of articles.
It’s a universal custom to display the American flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free. The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free.
The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.
The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.