Guy Fawkes Night is fast approaching and it being held in November, there’s a very good chance that it might rain. In fact, it might absolutely tip it down with rain. What does that mean for your fireworks display?

Contrary to popular belief, a rainy evening doesn’t mean that you have to call off your fireworks celebrations. Unless it’s torrential rain and wind (in which case, it may be dangerous to hold any outdoor event), the party should still be able to go ahead.  Everyone can still have a fantastic time, provided they dress for the conditions and embrace the spirit of the event.

Follow these tips for rainy fireworks success:

1. Store your fireworks properly. Once you’ve bought your fireworks, it is crucial that you store them somewhere safe and dry. Damp fireworks simply won’t fire – they’ll be ruined. You also need to follow all safety rules about storing fireworks, such as keeping them well away from other flammable materials and sources of ignition.

 

2. Be flexible on time. In a rainy evening, there is likely to be a window of half an hour to an hour when it doesn’t rain. Keep a close eye on the forecast and don’t be too fixed on the time your display is due to start. Have some other fun activities planned, and hold your display as soon as the weather temporarily clears. If it doesn’t, you’ll have to bite the bullet and go ahead regardless.

 

3. Communicate with your guests. Before your display, you need to get the word out that everything is still going ahead despite the weather. Many people will assume that the event is cancelled because of the rain, so they simply won’t turn up. If you actually want spectators, use everything from flyers and posters to social media to let everyone know what’s going on.

 

4. Be realistic about your chances of a bonfire. If you have dry wood, a sheltered spot and the chance to get a strong blaze roaring before the rain really starts, you might be able to keep a bonfire going even in rainy conditions. It will need constant management, however, and it might just sputter and die in the first few minutes.

 

5. Call in the experts. Professional fireworks display organisers have a few tricks up their sleeves when it comes to holding displays in the rain. From specialist fireworks to weather-proof launch stations, there are lots of things they can do to ensure your event still goes off with a bang.

 

6. Know when to call it quits. If it’s actually dangerous to be outside, your site is flooded or it hasn’t stopped raining heavily for two days – it doesn’t look like your event is going to go ahead. Use your judgement and make a call whether to hold your display or not, bearing the safety and comfort of your spectators in mind.