In 1970, in the midst of the tourist boom on the Costa Brava, Blanes Town Council, seeking to make the most of the favourable socioeconomic situation, was keen to raise the profile of Blanes in the tourism sector by promoting an activity that would bring fame to the town. It was decided to take advantage of the town’s festa major (main festival), held at the end of July, in order to promote an event that was strikingly unusual at the time: a large-scale fireworks display.
That same year, a pilot test was carried out. The Brunchú fireworks company was commissioned to produce a much more spectacular fireworks display than was usual. Given the great success of the initiative, in terms of both the large number of visitors it attracted and the positive reaction of local residents, Blanes Town Council —presided over by the mayor, Domingo Valls i Coll, and with the collaboration of local councillor Lluís Tremoleda, in charge of organizational matters— decided to organize the Costa Brava International Fireworks Competition, open to both Spanish and foreign fireworks companies. Over the course of its first 24 years, the competition went through various phases and underwent several changes, while always maintaining a high standard of quality.
The launch site has always been Sa Palomera Rock, an incomparable setting jutting out into the sea right in the middle of Blanes Bay. Between 1983 and 1987, the competition underwent a major change, expanding from three nights of fireworks to four. It later reverted to the original three-night format, but with a much bigger daily budget. In 1985, the town’s mayor, Maria Dolors Oms i Bassols, launched the Town of Blanes Trophy with the aim of promoting the name of Blanes alongside that of the Costa Brava. The trophy, designed by the local jewellery store Capdevila Joieria, is made of silver and semiprecious stones and symbolises an explosion of fireworks.
From 1996, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the competition and under the presidency of mayor Fèlix Bota i Gibert, the number of participating fireworks companies was increased and the competition was extended to five nights, on the initiative of the mayor himself and with the collaboration of the local councillor for Fairs and Festivals, Francesc Xavier Ruscalleda i Busquets. In 1998, the Technical Committee proposed extending the competition to six nights, and the following year it was extended to seven nights.
The Fireworks Competition in Blanes, now famous throughout Spain, enjoys great prestige among fireworks companies from all over the world. The competitive spirit and determination of the participating companies to win the Town of Blanes Trophy have made the competition a truly outstanding fireworks event, which has frequently been featured on national and Catalan TV networks and in local, provincial and national media outlets.