Yellowknife (May 04/05) - The next time you look up at a spectacular Northern fireworks display, you can silently thank Don Helfrick for his expertise.

Helfrick is a fireworks supervisor Level 2 - a credential that allows him to choreograph and plan the pyrotechnic displays.

"I don't know one person who isn't awed by the sight, sound and colours of fireworks," Helfrick said.

"It's the closest thing to being hit by a bolt of lightning."

It was during Expo '86 in Vancouver while snacking on caribou in the NWT pavilion when Helfrick first decided to gain the expertise to create his own fireworks displays.

"I was watching the extravaganza and was amazed and awestruck."

Helfrick has amazed crowds with his skills in hamlets across the North and southern provinces for more than a decade.

He does the annual SnowKing display. His latest fireworks show was the awe-inspiring Caribou Carnival extravaganza, which took about four hours to set up. The 11 minute, 11 second display over Frame Lake wowed carnival goers with a dazzling display of colour.

A note of interest with the carnival show was that all the fireworks were made in China.

"They are a little bit cheaper, they go a little bit higher and a little bit faster and we're in love with the colours," he said.

"The colours are vivid and bright and it is quite a refreshing change from North American shells," he said.

Another benefit of the Chinese shells is that they are made of paper, thus eliminating the need for cleanup, he said. "It's an environmentally friendly show."

In past pyrotechnic shows, Helfrick said he has used Spanish fireworks, which are louder and filled with vibrant reds and also American, which are similar to Canadian.

Helfrick, who holds the highest attainable level in Canada for fireworks, said while the cold is not a concern, a wind stronger than 35km/h would stop the show.

Electronically ignited, each firework is placed in a fitted wooden box filled with sand, then ignited in sequence.

Helfrick never tires of fireworks.