The Great Marko

#SelectionBoxSunday is back! In the latest installment, I'll unbox, fire, and review the "Circus" selection box from Spook Fireworks ‪@spookfireworksltd5861‬ - video dropping on my channel in a few hours!

1 day ago | [YT] | 7

The Great Marko

Last night I talked about the current crisis' facing the UK Firework industry, and highlighted some of the challenges (and indeed backlash) that firework display companies around the country are facing right now... If you missed the stream, you can catch the replay here: youtube.com/live/axVgNaAxvho

Since last night's stream, ‪@illusionfireworks‬ have today put out this public statement on their Facebook page...

🔥 FIREWORKS, WILDFIRE RISK & SOME MUCH-NEEDED PERSPECTIVE 🎆

The current spell of exceptionally dry weather has understandably raised concerns about fire risk across the country. As a professional fireworks company, we take that risk extremely seriously.

But we also believe the public conversation around fireworks needs some perspective.

Following the Government’s recent national emergency alert, members of the public were advised against activities including disposable BBQs and fireworks. The result has been an almost immediate knee-jerk reaction, with professionally planned displays being cancelled across the country — even, incredibly, displays taking place over water.

Of the many significant fires we have seen reported this summer, only one instance is suspected to have been associated with a member of the public misusing fireworks, and we are not aware of any wildfire being attributed to a professionally managed fireworks display.

There is an enormous difference between somebody setting off fireworks irresponsibly in tinder-dry surroundings and a professional display being planned, risk-assessed and operated by experienced people.

Professional display companies assess ground conditions, weather, wind direction, fallout areas, surrounding vegetation and access to firefighting equipment. We have the knowledge, equipment and experience to determine whether a display can safely proceed and what additional measures are required to prevent a fire establishing.

And sometimes that professional assessment will be that a display cannot safely go ahead. That is exactly what competent risk management is about.

What is concerning is seeing venues and organisers cancelling displays regardless of the individual circumstances, sometimes seemingly more concerned about a vocal minority on social media than listening to the professionals actually responsible for managing the risk.

The Fire Severity Index is already beginning to decrease in many areas. Yet the damage to our industry has happened almost overnight. Carefully planned work has disappeared following broadly worded public messaging, while there is unlikely to be an equally prominent national “all clear” when conditions improve.

For professional fireworks businesses, recovering from this could take weeks or months of conversations with venues and organisers — and some displays may simply never return.

That matters.

Fireworks remain an enormously popular part of British celebrations, enjoyed safely by millions of people at public events, weddings, festivals, community celebrations and traditional occasions every year.

Risk should be managed intelligently, not eliminated through blanket reactions.

If conditions genuinely make a display unsafe, it shouldn’t happen. But where experienced professionals can demonstrate that an event can proceed safely with appropriate controls, they should be allowed to do their job.

Support professional fireworks. Support properly managed displays. Support the traditions and events you enjoy.

Because if the silent majority remains silent while a small but extremely vocal minority campaigns against them, we shouldn’t be surprised when those traditions eventually disappear.

Source: www.facebook.com/illusionfireworks/posts/pfbid02Pq…

2 days ago (edited) | [YT] | 1

The Great Marko

Apparently there's an issue with some ‪@VIVIDPyrotechnics‬ labels this year... Vivid products... with labelling issues... surely not(!) #CIAIA (Retailers: Don't blame me ...again!)

1 month ago | [YT] | 7

The Great Marko

A very happy #IndependenceDay to all my #USA viewers! On what is the biggest day of the year for #Fireworks across the States, I hope you all have a safe an enjoyable time!

Whilst I have been in the States on #FourthOfJuly once in the past, sadly that year in Florida it had been very dry and all fireworks displays had been banned... which is such as shame, as I'd love to have seen #Disney #MagicKingdom fireworks on 4th July, as they're extra special!

I actually did a video which touched on how the fireworks are even better at #WDW on special days like today... and it's actually one of the most watched videos on my channel!

If you haven't seen it... #America250

1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 6

The Great Marko

A very happy #CanadaDay to all my Canadian viewers! ICYMI.. here some footage sent to me by one of my viewers of the nightly #fireworks over the falls (I understand they're even better on Canada Day!!)

1 month ago | [YT] | 4

The Great Marko

I'm delighted be asked once again to present the FIREWORK AWARDS UK later this year, an event brought to you by the UK Firework Alliance in association with the UK Firework Review Community.

Right now nominations are open, and here's the link to the nomination form:
forms.gle/9PxjRYwmsvTxsERf8

Please use this to nominate your favourite fireworks in each of the 15 categories (categories are optional - you don't have to submit a nomination in every category)

The top 5 chosen fireworks in each category will then be shortlisted in a final voting form which will be released in July and the winners will be announced right here on my channel in October.

Please read the criteria for each question - fireworks that don't fit the criteria will not be counted, and please only include fireworks that have been available to purchase in the UK in the last 12 months and that are genuinely worthy of winning an award!

Time to get nominating!!

2 months ago | [YT] | 13

The Great Marko

I'm so excited for the British Musical Fireworks Championship in Southport this year!

It takes place on Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th September 2026, and tickets are now on sale!

Here's the teams competing this year:

SATURDAY

✨ Skyburst
✨ Monumental Fireworks
✨ Sonic Fireworks


SUNDAY
✨ Celestial Displays
✨ Star Fireworks
✨ Fire Monkey Pyro



🎟️ Find out more and get your tickets here: www.visitsouthport.com/event/british-musical-firew…

Hope to see you there!!

4 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 10

The Great Marko

For those of you playing along with yesterday's 'where am I?' guessing game, I was in fact in.... #Southport in a meeting for the #2026 #British #Musical #Fireworks #Champions, and I'm delighted to reveal that I'll be part of one of the competing teams in this year's competition!!!!

6 months ago | [YT] | 11

The Great Marko

... Another clue as to where I am this afternoon... 😉 🎇

6 months ago | [YT] | 5

The Great Marko

Can anyone guess where I am today?! #fireworks

6 months ago | [YT] | 5