City of Wilmington setting up for annual Independence Day Fireworks show

800 shells will be fired in just under 20 minutes, including 200 for the finale alone

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) — Wednesday afternoon, WWAY stopped by the area where workers loaded up fireworks for the city of Wilmington’s Fourth of July celebration Thursday night.

This year, on the border of New Hanover County, they are using a “Wilmington only” firework crew to create the display. The show starts at 9:05pm where the Riverwalk offers the best view. The firework show is approximately 20 minutes long and they are using over 800 shells, including the finale which is 200 shells alone.

Kevin Miller is the crew chief with Pyro Shows who set up the display, he said with all the moving parts they have plenty of measures to keep him and the crew safe during the firework display. Miller adds it would take them 14 hours Wednesday, the day before the show and probably another 12 hours Thursday to finish the set up prior to the show.