Michael Couch likes fireworks so much, he is the founder of a non profit that puts on fireworks shows all around southern Nevada, and Ely is the only place in the world where fireworks are shot off a moving train!
The Fireworks Train
He had a job- that wasn’t the problem. Michael manages all maintenance and troubleshooting at Spring Valley Wind, and he loves his job.
His problem wasn’t family. He’s married to his wife, Kayla, and together they have a son and a daughter, Dane and Darla.
His problem is that he likes fireworks, and when I say he likes them, I mean he really likes them.
Michael Couch likes fireworks so much, he is the founder of a non profit that puts on fireworks shows all around southern Nevada, and Ely is the only place in the world where fireworks are shot off a moving train!
All in a day’s work.
A short history
“I’m originally from Ely,” Michael told me the day we got together for a chat. “and while I love my town we never really had what anyone would call, ‘great fireworks’”
As Micahel grew into his profession in renewable energy, he spent time in Orlando, Florida and then in Stillwater, Montana, before coming home to work at Spring Valley Wind.
While he was outside Nevada, he discovered fireworks.
“I really got carried away,” Michael said, laughing. “I just couldn’t get enough. I kept seeing professional displays being put on, and I wanted that for my hometown.”
He went on to tell me that fireworks were so uninspired in Ely while he was growing up that, “they’d shoot off a shell, you could go grab a cup of coffee, and maybe another one would go up,” he said, still laughing a little. He added emphasis when said, “we did not have good fireworks in Ely.”
Michael told me it was always his goal to come home to Spring Valley Wind as a manager, and so after he achieved that professional goal, he went into fireworks in a big way.
He went to Arizona to attend training in working with fireworks.
Shortly after, Michael formed his non-profit, Great Basin Pyrotechnics, a 501(c)3 that puts on fireworks displays all over Southern Nevada. Since then, he’s done shows all the way from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, and of course, back home in Ely.
Michael has grown Great Basin Pyrotechnics to the point he helps finance, promote and then puts on fireworks shows.
Ely Fire & Ice Winter Festival
Held January 14-16, 2022, the Ely Fire & Ice Festival is a celebration of Winter: there is ice sculpting, bonfires out on the frozen lake and athletic events like cross country skiing, ice bowling, and fat tire bike snow racing
Returning for the festival will be the Fireworks Train!
The only fireworks display launched off a train in the entire world, the Fireworks Train is a spectacular display for everyone in attendance.
The antique locomotive blasts its steam whistle as it rolls down the Nevada Northern Railway tracks and fireworks launch into Ely’s night sky and light up the night.
After the train pulls into station, there is a huge bonfire the community gathers around in celebration.
“The community has accepted me, and in return I really opened everyone’s eyes to what we can have here in Ely. It’s been great to be able to do this for my home.”
Family
In addition to his job at Spring Valley Wind and running Great Basin Pyrotechnic, Michael lives on a small farm he and his wife own.
“We’ve got 50 chickens, dogs, cats, goats, a pig… we really love our life here,” Micahel said.
Being able to live his dreams in Ely has been great for Michael and his family, and he already is talking about July.
“Next July, we’re going to have the biggest 4th of July fireworks Ely has ever seen!”