A Poplar Bluff family became part of Missouri history Monday when they helped the state’s 57th governor celebrate his inauguration.
The Wisdom family has been in the fireworks business for nearly 80 years, doing everything from movies to grandiose displays of light and fire that have awed thousands.
But, this week marked a first for them, and for the state.
The Wisdoms became the first people to hold a fireworks show on the grounds of the Missouri Capitol building. It was a day after they helped Gov. Mike Parson and more than 150 of his closest friends and family celebrate his recent election during an event in Jefferson City.
“We had about 3,000 shells (Sunday). It took seven people all day to set up and the show lasted seven minutes. (Monday) we did 57 salutes at the inauguration to the song, ‘Made in America,’ by Toby Keith, and 24 salutes at the end, marking Missouri as the 24th state,” explained Troy Wisdom, who runs Gladiator Pyro with his brother, Brian Wisdom, continuing a tradition started by their grandfather in 1942 and handed down to their father.
They work with a fourth generation of their family and close friends, who helped with the Jefferson City events. Courtney Wisdom and Tyler Wisdom, Troy’s children, and Kaeleigh Toolen, Will Bowman and Jeff Mannon, helped with the events.
“This was something not a lot of people get to experience,” said Brian Wisdom. “Being the first company to ever shoot at the Capitol was amazing. It was right by the fountain at the back.”
“It was a privilege,” agreed his brother, who now lives in Springfield with his children. “It was amazing to be given permission to shoot on the Capitol grounds. It was an honor to be chosen and to be trusted.”
The opportunity came about after the Wisdoms did fireworks for a Parson campaign event in 2020. His campaign manager began talking with them about doing something for the inauguration, but it wasn’t confirmed until about a week before the event.
“We worked day and night,” said Brian Wisdom.
The Sunday night event was scripted to music, the two songs, “Made in America,” and Montgomery Gentry’s “Something to be proud of.”
While Sunday was about a fantastic light display with plumes of red, white and blue, Monday’s daytime event was about using sound to celebrate the 57th governor.
Troy Wisdom choreographed both shows to music using an advanced pyrotechnics firing system, which allows the timing to be set to 1/16th of a second. The choreography automation took more than 20 hours to program.
The Wisdoms also manufactured fireballs, a type of loud boom, which is set off with devices made out of gallons of gasoline.
Both events were tricky in that the Wisdoms normally set off their shows in warm weather.
The freezing cold of the early part of the week caused a few anxious moments, with frost covering their fuses Sunday night.
“The firing systems do well in warm weather … but with the layer of frost, I was very nervous,” Troy Wisdom said.
But, it was all worth it.
“It went phenomenally,” Troy Wisdom said.
The booms for the inauguration were set off just after noon Monday.
Following the inauguration, the family was able to tour the Capitol building and meet with state officials, like the Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, a fireworks enthusiast.
The Sunday night show was the talk of the afternoon, Brian Wisdom said, even for those who hadn’t attended.
It was the choreography, which made the events stand out, he said.
“Doing musicals are different. (Everyone) gets more involved in something with music. It gets your heart pumping,” he said.
Officials already are talking about bringing the Wisdoms back for another state event this year.