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Christmas night was bright and alive as the Bonogofski firework show lit up the sky south of Cabri.
The sixth annual pyrotechnics show drew in over 122 vehicles filled with people bringing in donations for the local food bank. After the 42 minutes of colourful explosions, the Bonogofskis managed to bring in 406 pounds of food, and $692 in cash donations.
For Brandy Bastura, the daughter of Terry and Brian Bonogofski who host the event at their farm, the huge turnout means that they are continuing to bring something special to people's Christmas plans.
"I think to be honest with you, family-wise, we've done it for the last six years," said Bastura. "It's become just a science for us of knowing exactly what we're doing."
For every vehicle that came out to the show, the Bonogofskis donated an additional $5 to the food bank. With 122 vehicles, that means the final cash donation to the Salvation Army in Swift Current was $1,302. Not too bad for a night's work.
The Bonogoski's had originally planned for the show to span a time slot longer than 45 minutes. However, this year's refitted finale saw a greater density of fireworks being lit off at the end. This huge array of show-stopping finishers ate into the total run time. While the show was shorter, folks were more than thrilled to see the grand finale light up the sky.
"I want to say it was 118 cakes of fireworks that were lit off," said Bastura. "So anywhere from 25 to 55 shots per cake. So yeah, the double finale did definitely eat into the timing."
Throughout the night, the fireworks were so numerous and bright that friends from up to 20 miles away reported that they caught glimpses of the show.
The Bonogofskis do plan on returning next year for their seventh rendition. This show has been going on for so long now, that many local families consider it a part of their tradition to go and attend it during Christmas.
For the Bonogofskis, this tradition has blossomed into something that enlists all their kids and grandkids helping out. With all the hands, the show becomes light work.
"I think the two-day setup rather than the one-day setup definitely helped because we were a little bit calmer," said Bastura. "It wasn't so rushed after supper to get the dishes off the table and washed and into everyone's costumes and the guys getting everything out for the fireworks. The warmer weather definitely didn't hurt anything."
A big shout-out goes to Treyton Bastura, Domonic Bonogofski, Summer-Dawn Bastura, and Gabby Bonogofski. They were Santa's special helpers, running around and helping out with the setup, directing guests, and putting on the show.
A special thank you goes out to John and Rhonda Undseth and Ken and Tara Undseth. They were on hand as the firefighting team, ready to tackle any sparks that lit up the ground during the show should the flames catch.
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