Summer is just not summer without fireworks, and this year's displays are sure to be explosive.

Jim Thorpe will hold its Stay at Home Festival, put on by the American Legion Post 304 at the Jim Thorpe Memorial Park on Saturday.The festival will end with a sparkling display of fireworks, donated by the Mauch Chunk Trust Company, at 10 p.m.For a double dose of explosions in one weekend, the West End Fire Company will hold its show on July 10 at the firehouse behind the Wawa on Route 209 and the town of Emerald will host a festival ending with a sky extravaganza at 10 p.m. July 11 at 7700 Penn St.All three shows will last about a half-hour with firework effects ranging from classics such as brocades, peonies, palm trees and chrysanthemums.But what are the key ingredients for such an impressive show?Safety firstThe fireworks at a show are classified as class B explosives and can only be sold to a licensed pyrotechnician.A minimum of 70 feet per 2-inch shell is required for the fallout.The size of a show depends on how much space can be provided by the event host.The biggest shell to be used at West End Fire Company can only be 3 inches because of space.L TNT has been in the business for over 33 years and provides fireworks to West End Fire Company, Walnutport and Kunkletown.Todd Dreisbach is a licensed technician for L TNT Pyrotechnics and part of the three man crew used for design, set and breakdown of displays. Dreisbach said the average setup of a show is roughly eight hours.After the fireworks have been shot into the sky and the show is over the crew has to "shell spot" for any shells that did not explode.Boom and ah!Color and sound are the second part for any great display.Celebrations Pyrotechnics of Slatington has been putting on displays since 2000.John Kemps, owner of Celebrations, said to "expect to see better brighter and louder shows this year."Celebrations Pyrotechnics, the company behind the Emerald show, is the new school of fireworks, using state-of-the-art computer equipment for firing off the shells."Once you see what a computer can do, it's hard to go back," he said.At this year's show the company will introduce a new fireball effect."It's like a Hollywood special effect," Kemps said.There is more prep work when using technology, Kemps said. The equipment and shells have to be inventoried and labeled precisely in order for everything to go off as planned.When asked what makes a good show, Kemps said "creativity, high quality fireworks used in an imaginative way."Dreisbach said the key is, "A variety of colors, rhythm and spacing of shells."Even though the companies have different styles, safety and high quality materials are points of agreement for the pyros. The average cost of a 4-inch shell is $400."Good shows aren't cheap," Dreisbach said.In fact, the shows cost communities anywhere from $4,000 to $12,000.Kemps added, "You get what you pay for."Both agreed cheap materials are dangerous to use.L TNT, known in the area as the finale kings, will stand up to its reputation with a 5-minute finale ranging from brocades to thunder in the sky.Celebrations will rely on cutting edge technology for a smooth flowing colorful show from start to finish.