The last public fireworks display in Whakatāne was both visually spectacular and a fiery disaster.

The 2009 fireworks display held on the river banks of the Whakatāne River had been planned to run for 40-minutes, but instead, it lasted only 40 seconds and created a giant wall of fire which left charred remains for weeks.

Understandably, there hasn't been an organised fireworks event held in Whakatāne since 2009 – until now.

More than $100,000 of choreographed fireworks will light up the skies when the inaugural Whakatāne Sky Show takes place at Rugby Park on Saturday, November 12.

The four-hour event promises a fantastic family evening of gourmet food, rides, stage talent, and of course, a spectacular fireworks display, says event producer Larni Hepi who's been planning the event for the past two years.

'I think there's a misconception the show is going to be similar to what we've had in Whakatāne in years gone by. That's not the reality.”

A grade five pyrotechnician from Auckland will be in charge of the upcoming fireworks display, says Larni.

'There's a 40-tonne shipping container holding a lot of money's worth of fireworks on its way. Many of the fireworks have never been seen before in New Zealand and some have been made exclusively for the Sky Show.”

Larni says 2000 early bird tickets have already been sold to the event and were snapped up in under an hour of going on sale.

On the night, gates will open at 5pm to let punters grab a feed at one of the gourmet food stalls and take a spin on one of the amusement rides.

Then from 6pm to 7.30pm several local acts will entertain the crowd followed by a light and laser show over a smoke-filled rugby field.

While at 8.30pm internationally-acclaimed musician Maisey Rika will perform with a kapa haka group and a marching band leading into the fireworks display.

SunLive has two family passes (two adults and two children) to give away to two lucky readers who can where the Whakatāne Sky Show will be held on November 12?

Enter online at www.sunlive.co.nz under the competition section. All entries must be received by Wednesday, November 9.

The inaugural Sky Show takes place at Whakatāne's Rugby Park on Domain Road on Saturday, November 12.

Tickets cost $15 for adults, $10 for children, and $30 for families (two adults, two children). For more information and tickets visit: www.whakataneskyshow.co.nz