That first year, Bradley says he invited about
30 people. Ninety showed up. “It just kinda
inched up from there every year,” he says.
Fred adds that at the first show they didnt
have any firing systems. “Now we’ve got
three remote firing systems. So we’’ve got 96
firing circuits so we can control our fireworks
a little better now.”
As the show grew, the Randalls upgraded
their screen, firing systems, audio
equipment, and number of fireworks to
accommodate the growing crowds, which
now reach up to one thousand. People
from all over have traveled to Piedmont
to see Randall’s Firework Extravaganza.
“We do have people that have come from
Tennessee,” Bradley says. Others have come
from Florida, Virginia, and Louisiana.
This year 3,400 shots will be used in the
show. “We’re averaging bigger shots across
the board this year,” Bradley says. “When we
order these [fireworks], we’ve probably got
2,500 to 3,000 pounds worth.”
Fred adds that the fireworks are brought in
on tractors. “I keep waiting for the ATF to pull
up in our driveway when they unload these
pallets of fireworks,” he laughs. “It hasn’t
happened yet.”
Bradley says he orders the fireworks in April
in preparation for the show. Planning can
take weeks, even moths, to organize a game
plan, piece together the videos, fuse the
fireworks and set everything up for the big
day.
Volunteers play a big role in helping make
Randall’s Firework Extravaganza possible.
When it comes to the physical labor, Bradley
says members of a local church and some
volunteers from Center of Hope often
come out to help with parking, set up, and
12
What to Bring
Lawn Chairs or Blankets
Flashlight
Consessions
• $5 - Hotdog, Chips, & Drink
Rain Date: July 14
clean up. “Sometimes we have Knightens
Crossroads Fire Department bring a truck
out there just for backup, and sometimes
EMS guys will stop by,” Bradley adds.
“[The show] is a lot of work," Lexi Suttles
admits. “But that day of the show, when
you see that many people come together
and sit together. People from all different
backgrounds and belief systems and they
sit there and they watch the same video and
the feedback is the same, everybody feels
moved and everybody feels touched, that’s
such a humbling and wonderful experience
to be a part of. So it’s definitely worth it.” ✽
Randall’s Firework Extravaganza is a huge
financial undertaking for the Randall Family.
If you would like to support this show,
message Bradley on Facebook.
July 2018
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