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(Demonstrating for media) Fireworks site manager Earl Burke, right, and licensed registered assistant, Josh Rhoads, of Westerville, left, prepare to load racks with the mortar shells behind Veterans Memorial for Tuesday’s Red White and Boom fireworks show, Saturday afternoon, June 30, 2012. “For 29 years I’ve been doing this so I try to bring some new ideas,” said Burke.”I put a birthday surprise in but I’m not going to let the cat out of the bag.” The show takes four days to setup and test properly but Burke says he works on the process all year on and off. “It’s a whole year’s worth of work and we have already talked about new [ideas] for next year.” The workers, all of whom have to go through a background check every 6 months, will load the racks of tubes for firing, cover them from the elements and then use a computer to check for shorts or problems seven to 10 times during the day of the boom. Nine-year Boom veteran, Jason Gleim said the hard work is worth it all going up in smoke. “After the show and you hear all of downtown cheer for your work,” Gleim said. “You instantly remember why you’re doing this.” (The Columbus Dispatch /Eamon Queeney)