Omagari Fireworks Festival

Tonight I will attend the Zenkoku Hanabi Kyogi Taikai (National Fireworks Competition) in Omagari.  In an area that usually only accounts for a population of 40,000 people, there will be an audience of nearly 650,000!  It is a very famous attraction in Japan and it happens yearly.  There will be approximately 15,000 fireworks lighting up the sky tonight.  The competition involves craftsmen from around the country who compete in three different categories: hiru-hanabi (day fireworks), 10-go warimono (12 inch shell fireworks), and sozo-hanabi (creative fireworks).  Originally, the main event was focused on the central patterned circular fireworks, not until 1963 did they add the category of sozo-hanabi.  I will post pictures and a description afterward! :)