Shell Factory puts on liquid fireworks show nightly in North Fort Myers.

By Andrea Stetson

Sometimes fireworks can be too loud for children who scream and cover their ears as the colorful blooms explode. But when the colors burst with only the soothing sound of water and music, the reaction is quite different.

In North Fort Myers the Shell Factory boasts its “liquid fireworks.” It has all the colors and a variety of patterns like typical fireworks without all the noise.

Waltzing Waters, the fireworks show made up of colorful dancing waters, is shown twice a night there in a man made lake. Families sit on two long rows of bleachers that line the north side of the lake.

As people arrive, dozens of large ducks entertain them by hopping on and off the wooden platforms that hold the fountains. But on cue, as the first notes of music begin, the ducks leap from the platform and scurry to the lake’s edge to avoid the bursts of water.

The show begins with some slow classical music. Then the fountains spring to life. There are swirls of red, green, blue, gold, purple and pink. The water forms arches, twists, and diagonal crosses. Sometimes it looks like a large oriental fan. Other times it towers into the sky.

“Awesome,” shouted one young boy. “It looks like the bullets from ‘Star Wars.’” Soon the music changes and disco blares from the speakers and the water seems to move faster. There are a few songs from Abba that have the audience tapping their feet as the water shoots high into the sky and casts long bright reflections onto the calm black lake.

Finally, the thirty minute show ends with a medley of Disney songs, and these seem to be the children’s favorites.

Gabi Pajaro, 7, of Coral Springs, couldn’t stop talking about all she saw after the show. “I like the colors and the songs,” Gabi said as she clutched her stuffed animal cat Bootsie. “I like the ‘Snow White’ song. I liked all of it.”

Her grandparents, Fred and Marion Wilson of Port Charlotte bring Gabi and her sister Amanda, 11, to see the show when the grandchildren come to visit. “When we have company we always bring people here,” Marion Wilson said. “We enjoy the music and everybody has fun.”

Waltzing Waters was invented more than 70 years ago by German inventor Otto Przystawik. At first he created the fountains on a small scale for restaurants and stores. By 1952 he had attracted the attention of a New York businessman who purchased dozens of fountains for shows scattered across the United States.

In 1965 Otto’s son, Gunter moved to Florida and continued producing Waltzing Waters from Cape Coral. Now the business has passed to a third generation and continues.

At the Shell Factory, the Waltzing Waters exhibit uses 10,000 gallons of water per minute. There are dozens of 100,000-watt, high-intensity underwater lights to make the fountains light up in a brilliance of color. And that’s what families enjoy.

“I like the water colors and forms,” said Jacob Likus, 8, of Fort Myers. “I like the colors. The pink is my favorite,” added his sister Jaymie, 6. Their father Jim Likus said Waltzing Waters was a fun family activity. “Once they got to see it they really liked the blend of colors and music,” he said.

IF YOU GO

The Shell Factory, 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers. When: 8:30 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. nightly (times change according to the season so call first.) Cost: $5 for adults, children 12 and younger are free.

Info: Tel: 239-995-2141 800-282-5805 Toll free and Online details.