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Large Firework Barrages for Spectacular Garden Parties
A garden party deserves a fireworks display that matches the occasion – colourful, well-paced, and memorable without needing a professional crew. Large barrages (150–300+ shots) are the centrepiece of that display. They deliver volume, duration, and variety in a single fuse.
This guide covers how to choose, set up, and fire large barrages for a spectacular garden party.
What counts as a “large” barrage?
- Shot count: 150–300+ shots
- Tube size: 25mm, 30mm (larger = bigger breaks)
- Duration: 60–180+ seconds
- Safety distance: 15–25m+
At Big Shotter Fireworks, these fall under barrages & cakes and compound cakes.
Why large barrages work for garden parties
- Duration: One cake can run 60–180s, giving you a substantial show from one fuse
- Variety: Large cakes often have 5–10 different effects in sequence
- Impact: 25mm/30mm tubes produce breaks visible across the neighbourhood
- Setup efficiency: One stake, one fuse, 2+ minutes of show
Choosing the right large barrage
By tube size
- 25mm (1 inch): Good for 15–20m gardens. Breaks ~30–40m high.
- 30mm (1.25 inch): For 25m+ gardens. Breaks ~50m+ high. Bigger, louder.
By firing pattern
- Straight: All vertical. Safe for tight spaces.
- Fanned / Z-firing: Wide spread. Needs 10m+ lateral clearance.
- Compound (2–4 cakes fused): One fuse, 3–5 minutes continuous.
By effect mix
- Mixed effects: Peony, willow, brocade, strobe, crackle in one cake
- Specialist: All willow, all brocade, all strobe – for themed displays
How many large barrages for a garden party?
| Garden size | Barrages | Total duration |
|---|---|---|
| Small (8–10m) | 2–3 x 100–150 shot | 3–5 mins |
| Medium (15–25m) | 3–4 x 150–200 shot + 1 compound | 8–12 mins |
| Large (25m+) | 4–5 x 200–300 shot + 1–2 compound | 15–20 mins |
Setup for garden parties
- Stake securely: 25mm wooden stake per cake. Tape cake to stake with gaffer tape (2 wraps minimum).
- Angle check: Fanned cakes need clearance. Mark fallout zone with cones/tape.
- Firing order: Number each cake (1, 2, 3…). Write on tape on the box.
- Portfire ready: Don’t use a lighter. Portfire or blowtorch only.
- Spectator zone: Mark with rope/tape. Upwind of fallout. Minimum distance per label.
Suggested firing sequence
- Opening: 2 medium cakes (60s each) fired together
- Middle: Alternate large cake + 3 rockets
- Pre-finale: Compound cake (2–3 mins)
- Finale: Largest barrage + 4 rockets together
Safety checklist
- Spectator distance per label (15–25m for large barrages)
- Spectators upwind of fallout
- Water/sand buckets at each firing position
- Portfire or blowtorch (no lighters)
- Gaffer tape + stakes for every cake
- Written firing order
- No alcohol for firer
Where to buy
Browse barrages & cakes and compound cakes at Big Shotter Fireworks. 150+ large barrages in stock, 25mm/30mm tubes, every product has a video. Free UK delivery over £290, click & collect from Bradford, year-round.
