Submitted Photo Holding their trophies from the 2023 Pyrotechnics Guild International competition are, from left, Robert Bunao, Jeremiah Agnes, Wayne Jansen and Chaise Grondahl, representing the Mum Pyrotechnics team.

SAWYER – Four members of the Mum Pyrotechnics team earned competition honors at the 2023 Pyrotechnics Guild International Convention Aug. 12-18 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Fireworks enthusiasts from all 50 states and 12 countries were represented at the convention.

The Mum team received seven trophies in the competition, which included various categories for different types of fireworks and effects. The competition is judged by fireworks experts with the Pyrotechnics Guild International (PGI).

Jeremiah Agnes of Minot, in his first year of competition, received first place in Aerial-Level 3, which is four shells up to six inches in diameter, and second in Best Small Comet. Wayne Jansen of Minot placed first in Best Small Comet and second in Best Medium Ball Shell.

Chaise Grondahl of Minot took second in Miniature Mine, which involves a ground effect in shooting stars into the sky.

Robert Bunao of Hawaii, who travels to Mum in Sawyer to build fireworks, received first in Aerial-Level 4, which is four shells of eight inches each. Bunao also took second in Large Ball Shell, which is a coveted trophy category due to the larger number of competitors.

The team also claimed third place in some categories, but only the top two finishers received trophies.

“We’ve had other years where we’ve had more competitors and brought back more trophies, but for the number of competitors that we had, this is pretty good,” said Derrick Miller, founder of Mum Pyrotechnics.

In addition to participating in the competition, Mum Pyrotechnics conducted three different shell building classes and a display class that put on a show at the end of the week.

“It was one of the top displays for the week,” Miller said. “So we were pretty happy with it.”

The show can be viewed on the YouTube channel of 2023 PGI, under Mum Pyrotechnics.

Attending the convention for the first time, Corey Long with the Minot Fireworks Association said the week showcased the best fireworks he has ever seen.

“For me, I know I’m going to be taking my family back next year to come and check it out,” he said. “It’s really very family friendly. It was just a really neat experience to partake in.”

The 2024 convention will be held the first week of August in Brainerd, Minnesota. The convention is expected to offer three or four nights of public fireworks displays.