OTHO — The bangs and booms of fireworks followed by the oohs and aahs of people in the crowd are a common sound during the Fourth of July. But just what exactly goes into making those spectacular Fourth of July fireworks displays happen? Jeff Heun, assistant chief of the Otho Fire Department, has been assisting with fireworks shows for 16 years, of which the past four have been in Otho during the town’s annual Fourth of July celebration. “I took a weekend certification course through J&M Displays in Yarmouth and did a few shows on and off before taking over in Otho,” he said. “Now, as assistant chief, I am always out there on the Fourth of July.” Advances in technology have allowed many fireworks displays to be set off electronically; however, Heun said he and local assistants Justin Deal and Terry Bloomquist still shoot most of Otho’s fireworks the “old-fashioned way.” “Most of our fireworks are still set off with flares,” he said.