Artists use a myriad of materials to create their art. Picasso used oils, Michelangelo used marble, Hitchcock used the dolly zoom.

Kevin Elmore uses fireworks.  

Elmore has been a part of Bayview for nearly 60 years, a town he calls his “heart and soul.” At two weeks old, his grandmother took him fishing on Lake Pend Oreille. Since then, he has given countless hours to the community that he holds dear.

This year, Bayview decided to honor him by appointing him as the grand marshal for its Fourth of July celebration. Festivities will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday with a parade, concluding at 10 p.m. with fireworks.

He remains humble about his selection. 

“I certainly didn’t expect that one,” he said. “I expected more people more deserving than me.”

Elmore has run the Bayview fireworks show for 38 years, something he takes very seriously. 

“To be one of those people that get to honor America even in my own little world of Bayview, Idaho, is pretty cool,” he said.  

He estimates the fireworks show requires around 300 hours to set up, light off and take down, something he calls a “labor of love.”

Elmore’s skill and love for fireworks extend outside the Fourth of July. During the '90s, he and his team were invited to represent America in GlobalFest — an international fireworks competition in Calgary, Canada. 

“That was a pretty prestigious thing,” he said. “It was really cool.”

A unique part of Bayview’s show is live recognition or remembrances over the marine radio. 

Alongside donations, individuals can sponsor a certain shell for themselves or a loved one and have their names announced over the radio as a firework shell dedicated to them sparkles over the lake. 

“It means a lot to those people,” he said. “It does bring people closer together.” 

Elmore said emotion is key to a good show. 

“That’s the art of firework shows is if you can play with their emotions,” he said. 

Elmore specifically paces parts of Bayview's show to amaze, sadden, uplift and thrill the audience.  

This year, he is trying to step up his game and get into the America250 spirit. During the finale, Elmore will light off 250 salute fireworks, one for each year of U.S. independence.

Elmore sees his show as his way to honor community and country.   

“You can be proud of your country," he said, "and be proud of the place you grew up in, and you can say, ‘Here, this is my part’ to make everybody enjoy the day and celebrate America together."