Come dusk tonight, fireworks will be bursting across the Traverse City sky in brilliant color. It’s an impressive display, and at this point, it’s such an embedded local Fourth of July tradition that it’s hard to imagine it not happening. But just because Traverse City’s Independence Day celebration seems like an inevitability doesn’t mean it is one. On the contrary, according to event organizers, a great deal of planning, money, pyrotechnics, and hard work goes into making this explosive lightshow a reality. So, in honor of our nation’s birthday, here’s a by-the-numbers rundown of the fireworks you’ll be watching this evening.

$70,000: The approximate “all in” price tag of Traverse City’s Fourth of July fireworks display, according to Trevor Tkach, president of the TC Boom Boom Club. Some of that, he says, is paid by way of “in-kind trade” with event sponsors.

$15,000: The cost of the barge from which fireworks purveyors fire off the pyrotechnics that you’ll see exploding in the sky this evening. “Luckily, the Cherry Festival also uses the same barge for their fireworks show, so we split that cost 50/50,” Tkach says. (The Cherry Festival fireworks display occurs on the second Saturday of the festival, always marking the end of the weeklong extravaganza.)

27: The approximate runtime of tonight’s fireworks show in minutes, according to Great Lakes Fireworks owner and “chief excitement officer” Bruce Tyree. Tyree is the long-time mastermind behind TC’s fireworks shows.

1,820: The number of “pyrotechnic items” that go into a Traverse City Fourth of July fireworks show, Collectively, Tyree says those 1,820 pyrotechnics deliver “over 2,500 shots with 1,021 programmed events over the course of the 27-plus minutes.” That averages out to more than 67 pyrotechnics being fired off per minute.

How does it all work, you may ask? “The entire show is digitally programmed to a music soundtrack and is fired remotely from show control by a computer, which is operated by a lead pyro-technician,” Tyree says. “The wireless connection operates a slave controller on the barge, connected to 38 field modules.”

8: The diameter, in inches, of the largest firework shell that will be shot into the sky during tonight’s show.

600: The approximate number of attendees the TC Boom Boom Club will be hosting at its annual “fireworks party” at the Open Space. The party, Tkach says, offers donors and ticketholders the very best seats in the house to enjoy the Fourth of July fireworks display. “There are typically more than 30 sponsor tables with 10 seats, plus additional general admission seating for another 200-300 attendees,” Tkach explains. “We provide food and beverages and have an emcee that prepares the audience for the show, which is completely choreographed to music.”

Of course, thousands more people will enjoy tonight’s show from other vantage points at local beaches, parks, and establishments, though most won’t get to experience the music component of the event.

$1,500: The minimum donation required to secure a “private 10-top reserved table” at the TC Boom Boom Club fireworks party. General admission in the “open seating area” is cheaper: $25 for children and $50 for adults. Tkach says those donations and ticket sales are crucial for the Boom Boom Club – which has taken the lead on Traverse City’s Fourth of July fireworks show since it was first incorporated in 2012 – to cover the costs of the evening. “TC Mirror & Shower Door has been a major sponsor of the show for four years now,” Tkach says, while Traverse City Tourism – which Tkach leads as president and CEO – is another top contributor. “Many local municipalities make contributions as well – and of course, the Cherry Festival is picking up a significant portion of the expenses,” Tkach adds. “But we still need more support; this ain’t easy.”

The Cherry Festival also offers up its own VIP experience for the Fourth of July fireworks show: an evening schooner cruise in partnership with Wind Dancer Traverse City. The boat sails from the Delamar dock and costs $229 per person.

30-40: The number of people on the volunteer team that will be helping the TC Boom Boom Club with setup and teardown for tonight’s fireworks party, according to Tkach. The Boom Boom Club itself is made up of a volunteer board of eight people, who meet periodically throughout the year to work toward planning and fundraising milestones. Tkach also says the Cherry Festival helps out by providing “year-round business support” to the Boom Boom Club. In fact, Cherry Festival Executive Director Kat Paye serves as the Boom Boom Club's vice president.

248: The number of years since the United States of America became the United States of America, and the milestone tonight's fireworks will be celebrating. Happy Independence Day!