Ras Al Khaimah and Al Marjan Island ushered in the New Year setting history with a spectacular firework display that clinched the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the ‘Largest aerial firework shell.’

Powered by 1.090 tonne (1,089.545 kg; 2,397 lbs) of fireworks, the New Year’s Eve extravaganza was attended by hundreds of thousands of visitors, including a sizeable number of international tourists, placing Ras Al Khaimah on the global map of compelling New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Designed by Phil Grucci, CEO and Creative Director, and executed by Fireworks by Grucci for Al Marjan Island and with the support of key governmental entities of Ras Al Khaimah, the event was verified by an official Adjudicator from GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS, and the bid for the ‘Largest aerial firework shell’ was officially recognised. The award was presented to Eng. Abdullah Al Abdooli, Managing Director of Al Marjan Island, and Phil Grucci, CEO and Creative Director of Fireworks by Grucci.

Eng. Abdullah Al Abdooli, Managing Director of Al Marjan Island, said: “The 2018 Ras Al Khaimah New Year’s Eve Fireworks by Al Marjan Island was a spectacular success that welcomed visitors from around the world and cemented the reputation of the emirate as a must-visit destination for New Year’s Eve galas. Adding to the pride of Ras Al Khaimah and our nation, the event is a true testament to the joint efforts of various governmental entities, which ensured a safe and seamless celebration. The GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the Largest aerial firework shell, a part of the celebration, brings added joy as it highlights our commitment to offer a real extravaganza for our visitors.”

This trumps the 2014 title set by the Kounosu fireworks festival in Sitama, Japan, on October 11, 2014. Compared to the 464.826 kg firecracker launched then, Ras Al Khaimah deployed over twice the amount. The largest aerial firework shell in Ras Al Khaimah reached an awe-inspiring 1,100 metres (1.1 Km; 3,600 ft) from the ground to the top-end of the display, 650 metres (2,150 ft) from the ground to the centre, and measured 1 km (3,300 ft) metres in diameter when it was launched. On a comparative note, the Kounosu record had the firecracker reaching a height of 907 metres to the top-end, 533 metres to the centre, and 748 metres in diameter.

In a fitting tribute to the UAE, the dazzling display of the 2018 Ras Al Khaimah New Year’s Eve Fireworks by Al Marjan Island – extending over a duration of 10 minutes - was set to action from 120 sites. The aerial shell had a diameter of 1,450 mm (145 cm). The shell packed 390 comet stars of size 100 mm each flowering into white, red and green, to recreate the colours of the National Flag. It took 15 seconds to reach the apex with the glittering comets changing to brilliant red tips with the centre of the flower displaying in a green shimmer.

Al Marjan Island worked with Ras Al Khaimah’s government entities including Ras Al Khaimah Public Works to create several public viewing areas across the waterfront development. More than 5,000 additional public car parking spaces were provided this year to welcome the guests.

The inspiration for the fireworks display was the natural beauty of Ras Al Khaimah and Al Marjan Island, and the show was choreographed to seven chapters, and set to global music by 14 renowned composers.

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