Remarkable Residents

By Todd Curran

Putting on those spectacular Discovery Days fireworks displays takes an explosive personality and Alex De Gagne has been lighting up our sky on such occasions for the past five years.
Our Rocket Man moved to the Diamond Valley 20 years ago, which was around the time he took up the incendiary art of pyrotechnics. “One of my sons and I took a course together in Calgary and were certified to do fireworks up to six inches in diameter,” says Alex, whose certification was recently upgraded to Fireworks Display Supervisor. “It was a four day course covering basic fireworks safety, handling and setting them off.”
“Somebody knew I was licensed and approached me about doing the Black Diamond Parade Day fireworks,” Alex says. “So I set to work scheduling a program with some nice variety.” Alex ordered the fireworks, organized them and selected a location.
Alex has also been an active member of the Foothills Lions Club since 1990.
“We took over running the campground in Black Diamond 15 years ago,” says Alex. “We've spent a lot of money restoring and servicing it. It's a full-service site, complete with running water, power and sewage. I go there on a daily basis for maintenance and assistance ~ it's been quite a bit of work but it's sure a beautiful campground now. We have fun with it too, organizing a work party to get it ready in the spring and shut it down in the fall.”
While the rest of the town enjoys the spectacle of Discovery Days and the Parade, Alex sets up and keeps watch over dozens of rockets whose sole purpose is to detonate with brilliant colour, offering us earthbound observers a moment of pleasure. And, although this Remarkable Resident has put on pyrotechnic programs across the province, he says, “I'm proudest of the displays that I put on in Black Diamond.”
Thanks Alex! We'll be keeping our eyes on the skies.