TOWN OF BUCHANAN, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Wisconsin International Raceway will soon host its fourth Pyrotechnics Guild International convention — and many are positive about what’s to come.
“Well, I’m pretty excited,” Kaukauna Mayor Tony Penterman said. “I think this is going to be huge.”
The convention is expected to have a major economic impact for the city of Kaukauna. The mayor expects it to bring in $5 million to $7 million.
“You’ve got hotel stays, you’ve got restaurants, you’ve got gas, grocery stores, there’s people going to be camping.”
Penterman said the Fox Cities will benefit financially in a number of ways.
Kaukauna will provide police for traffic control, although the racetrack is located in Buchanan, meaning town officials there are responsible for approving permits.
PGI’s First Vice President John Steinberg is confident in all parties finalizing the work.
“We actually need to get the details done on the regulatory and permit side,” Steinberg said. “The second thing we have to work out is to finalize what our display lineup will be, what our display budget will be.”
Despite initial excitement, the show won’t be without its drawbacks.
“There are some cons to it,” Penterman said. “We get a lot of noise complaints here in the city of Kaukauna, which we don’t have jurisdiction over the town of Buchanan, so we can’t really force them to shut down at any certain time.”
On social media, many have expressed their concerns for excessive loud noises throughout the night.
But thousands of people are still expected to be in attendance.
“On display nights early in the week, we generally get between 2,500 and 3,500 people who purchase tickets,” Steinberg said. “On Friday night, we generally have 11,000 to 12,000 people attend.”
With the high number of visitors, Kaukauna’s mayor says the area may not have adequate lodging. However, PGI says the ability to add space for campers was important for consideration.
The event will run from Aug. 5 to 11 next year.
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