”...AND THE ROCKETS’ RED GLARE, THE BOMBS BURSTING IN AIR...” : How Fireworks Get Their Colors

The fireworks’ color palette is created by using precise amounts of chemicals mixed with the explosives. Blues, for example, are obtained by using copper, Strontium salts make the red colors, calcium makes orange and sodium makes yellow. Since World War II, organic compounds of chlorine have been mixed with the explosive to make the color burn brighter. The sparkling effects are created by using metals, such as iron or magnesium, which burn brightly when placed in an explosive mixture.

Source: Collier’s Encyclopedia

ORANGE COUNTY FIREWORKS SHOWS

Anaheim: Peralta Canyon Park, Gerda and Pinney drives, fireworks 9:30 p.m. Free.

Anaheim: Disneyland, 1313 Harbor Blvd., 9:30 p.m. Park admission $22.50 to $25.50.

Brea: Brea-Olinda High School, 789 N. Wildcat Way, pre-show at 8:15 p.m., fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Admission $10.

Buena Park: Bellis Park, pre-show 6:30 p.m., fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Free.

Dana Point: Heritage Park, end of Old Golden Lantern, fireworks 9 p.m.

Emerald Bay: Beach Club area, fireworks 9 p.m.

Fountain Valley: Mile Square Park, Brookhurst Street and Heil Avenue, fireworks at 9 p.m. Admission: $1 to $3.

Fullerton: Fullerton High School, Lemon Street and Berkeley Avenue, pre-show at 5 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m. Free.

Huntington Beach: Huntington Beach High School, 1905 Main St., pre-show at 7 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m. Admission $3.

Irvine: Heritage Park, Walnut and Yale avenues, fireworks at 9 p.m. Free.

Irvine: Woodbridge Village, Alton Parkway and Lake Road, fireworks at 9 p.m. Free.

Laguna Beach: Main Beach, Broadway and Coast Highway, fireworks at 9 p.m. Free.

Laguna Niguel: Laguna Niguel Regional Park, 28241 S. La Paz Road, fireworks at 9 p.m. Free.

Los Alamitos: Los Alamitos Reserve Air Station, Lexington Avenue and Katella Avenue, pre-show at 7 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m. Free.

Mission Viejo: corner of Laguna Hills Road and Cedarbrook Road, fireworks at 9 p.m. Free.

Newport Beach: Newport Dunes Aquatic Park, 1131 Back Bay Dr., fireworks at 9 p.m. Admission $10 per car.

Orange Park Acres: Salem Park, Orange Park Boulevard and Santiago Canyon Road, fireworks at 9 p.m. Admission is $3.

Placentia: Bradford Stadium, 500 N. Bradford, fireworks at 8:45 p.m. Admission $1 and $3.

Rancho Santa Margarita: Caza Drive and Alma Aldea, fireworks at 9 p.m. Free.

San Clemente: San Clemente Pier, Avenida del Mar, fireworks at 9 p.m. Free.

San Juan Capistrano: Marco Forester Junior High School, 25601 Camino del Avion, fireworks at 9 p.m. Free.

Santa Ana: Eddie West Stadium, Civic Center Drive and Flower Street, pre-show at 3:30 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m. Admission $4 and $6.

Tustin: Tustin High School, 1171 El Camino Real, pre-show at 7 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m. Free.

Westminster: Westminster High School, 14325 Golden West St., pre-show with Garden Grove Symphony at 7 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m. Admission is $5.

Yorba Linda: Valley View Park/Yorba Linda Middle School, Casa Loma Avenue, fireworks at 9 p.m. Free.

Key: 1. Anaheim: Peralta Canyon park 2. Anaheim: Disneyland 3. Brea: Brea-Olinda High School 7. Fountain Valley: Mile Square Park 9. Huntington Beach: Huntington Beach High 16. Newport Beach: Newport Dunes Aquatic Park 22. Santa Ana: Eddie West Stadium