What if it rains on Bonfire Night 2017? How to beat the elements on 5th November

Bonfire Night 2017 1st Galaxy Fireworks

Bonfire Night happens in November, so realistically – there’s a very good chance that it could be a wet, cold and windy evening. It may turn out to be dry and clear, the perfect conditions for fireworks.

As an event organiser, you need to prepare for every possible weather-related scenario. Just because it rains, it doesn’t mean you can’t put on an amazing display! Follow these tips to beat the elements on Bonfire Night…

Protect stored fireworks from the damp

If the weather’s horrible in the days leading up to your display, fireworks that aren’t stored properly can be damaged. The last thing you want is to take out your fireworks on Bonfire Night and find that they are damp and won’t fire! To prevent this from happening, make sure you store your fireworks somewhere dry and secure, but don’t make the mistake of keeping them near sources of heat or ignition as this can be very dangerous.

Use stickers to find the fuse in the dark

Even with a good quality, bright torch, it’s easy to lose a fuse in the dark of a night-time display – especially if it’s pouring down and you have rain running into your eyes. Make life easier for yourself by sticking a fluorescent sticker on the fuse beforehand so that it shines brightly in the dark.

Consider your guests

As soon as rain is looking likely for the big night, get in touch with your spectators to reassure them that the event is still going ahead. Many people will assume that your display will be rained off, so they won’t come unless you let them know.

Arrange some shelter and cover for your guests so that they can watch the display without getting completely soaked, even if it’s only buying a job lot of see-through umbrellas for them to use! Warming drinks are a must, along with a roaring bonfire if the rain holds off for long enough and you have dry materials for burning.

Waterproof your fireworks for firing in the rain

You may think that you can’t fire fireworks in the rain, but that isn’t strictly true. You can use a pro trick to beat the rain such as wrapping your fireworks carefully in cling film to keep them dry while they’re being fired. Don’t use a plastic bag – as this can lead to condensation inside which can damage the product. You’ll need to consult an expert on this or do some research to make sure you do it properly, and bear in mind that only certain types of fireworks are suitable for the cling film method. You’ll also need to use a portfire to safely burn through the cling film.

Remember, if you don’t feel confident doing any of this, bring in an expert to help. The 1st Galaxy Fireworks team will be happy to offer you some advice, so get in touch.