St. Olaf Lake sees fireworks, celebration

Revelers celebrating the 250th anniversary of Independence Day had a lot of options to see fireworks in surrounding communities, but some people thought the best option was to stay right here: at St. Olaf Lake.

 

Each year Alex Wagner organizes a fireworks display on beautiful St. Olaf Lake, which lake residents chip in to fund. “It's a lot of planning, a lot of driving.” said Wagner, who made three 8-hour round trips to Wisconsin to purchase fireworks for the two displays he planned on subsequent days this year. “Because I can't get everything in one load,” he laughs.

 

The first display Wagner plans takes place at his family's house, and is run entirely electronically. It is this event which brought him to the attention of the St. Olaf Lake Association, who asked him to plan a display for St. Olaf Lake in 2017. He's been planning and executing the display, with help from his brother Danny Wagner, ever since.

 

Wagner says he's been interested in fireworks ever since his dad brought home kids' fountains, spinners, and sparklers when he was little. In fact he was so intrigued that he eventually went to work for Hollywood Pyrotechnics, a company that plans $50,000 to $100,000 fireworks displays, and all electronically. 

 

Although logistics at the lake require some more hands-on work, for the most part, Wagner continues to use an electronic system to set off his displays.

 

“Instead of lighting a green fuse, I rip all those out and put wires, […] and hook that up to a remote,” said Wagner. From his tablet, Wagner can trigger three separate channels, with four fuses per channel. Whereas the big display companies utilize a system that costs tens of thousands of dollars, Wagner says, “Mine's a really basic system, a couple hundred dollars.”

 

For each event, Wagner researches display possibilities, spending hours watching YouTube videos in the off-season to learn more, and then tries to order ahead, so that he can ensure what he planned will be available to purchase.

 

It takes Wagner about three hours to set up a display, after which the electronic format allows him the freedom to enjoy his favorite part of these events: “Watching people's reactions.” 

 

It is estimated that there were 20 to 25 boats on the lake during this year's display, with many more people viewing from the shore of the public swimming area, or from their cabins.

 

Local resident Keith Leonardo of the Panther Power House said he was keeping a close eye on storm clouds overhead. “We prayed the storm held out for us,” he said, “which it did, unlike for other communities.”

 

“It started a little bit early, because of the weather coming in,” said Erin Holland, referring to the 9:45 p.m. start. She was duly impressed with the approximately 17-minute display. “It was very, very good. They did a fantastic job.”

 

Leonardo watched the display from one of two pontoons he and his family occupied. “It was a well put-on show,” he confirmed, mentioning in particular the grand finale. “They do a great job each year.”

 

Does Wagner plan to keep putting on the fireworks display at St. Olaf? “Yes,” said Wagner. “That's my home.”

 

The commemoration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress has been celebrated with fireworks since 1777. Folks in the NRHEG area are keeping that tradition alive in style, with fireworks reflected on the waters of St. Olaf Lake.