The starting point for creating a rainbow in your town requires finding a suitable location. Only sites where water can be pumped East of where people will come to see the rainbow should be considered. I say East because that is the direction you can view an afternoon rainbow. If you plan on a morning rainbow the direction of course would be west. Depending on the season of the year the actual direction will be between North East and South East. For initial planning just see if there is a sight with an easterly view and a place for people to hang out west of that place.
If the location is on a waterway and there is a fireboat in your town you have to find a position where the water is east of the land. If your town is not on a waterway then you will be using a fire truck. A first place to consider is a pond or stream that could carry away the water. If these are not available then you will be either on a street or in a park. The critical thing to remember when using a fire truck is you will be putting out between 5,000 and 10,000 gallons of water over a length of a couple of hundred feet. You don't want to flood the place. So, make sure there is good water drainage in the area you choose.
Staging an event starts with a reason to do it. I request that this information only be used to create events in support of Global Unity and Peace issues. If you will be staging an event as a fund raiser for a local organization make sure that the event is dedicated to Global Unity and Peace in one form or another. Joining in with an existing event or celebration is a great way to get started.
Once you have targeted an event call the Mayors Office. If your rainbow is approved by the Mayors Office it will happen. A good initial contact is Coordinator for Special Events or the Mayors Assistant. Tell them about your plans and why it is important for the community to gather at a rainbow. At first they make think you are crazy. Show them the pictures from this web site. Tell them you know it can be done and that you can contact me for help. Don't leave their office until they agree. Just joking. Be very polite.
If you know people in the local Fire Department talk with them as well. They can help you sell the event to the town. The Firemen/women love making rainbows. It gets them out into the community. If there is an actual fire they will leave to deal with that. Once you have an event and a location you have to figure out the time to stage your rainbow.
The timing of the event is critical. If the sun is too high in the sky the rainbow will not be visible. If it is too low like at sunset the rainbow will be too big to fit in the mist you will be making. A good rule of thumb is one and a half to three hours before sunset. I use a computer program to calculate the exact times. You can always test the time by making a garden hose rainbow.
Talk to your local Fire Department about all the details. If you are using a fire hydrant and fire truck do not position the truck too far from the hydrant or the water flow will not be high enough to do a decent rainbow. Constant velocity guns mounted on the truck are the best bet. They allow adjustment of the stream. If these are not available try a 2" bore straight nozzle. Make sure you have at least one rehearsal to iron out all of the kinks.
During your rehearsal determine the optimal positioning for the people coming to see the event. If you are working with a fireboat, remember it can be moved to bring the rainbow to the people. On land things are more constrained.
If possible schedule the event for two days in case the first day is cloudy. Remember; No Sun, No Rainbow.
The Mayors office or the event organization people will usually put out a press release about the rainbow. It is important that you do your own public relations as well. Write up a one page statement that tells about the event, and the rainbow and why it is important for people to come. Make sure you acknowledge the Fire Department and all the people that are assisting and supporting the event. Call the local papers, television and radio stations. Talk to their news desks and either fax or mail them your statement. Remember if the TV news and newspapers talk about your event people will come.
Make up flyers announcing the event . Post them at local super markets schools and community centers. Get the word out in what ever way you can.
All of the publicity materials should request that people coming to the event bring the sun with them. For if the sun is not shining brightly the rainbow will not happen. If you live in an area where water is scarce you might request that everyone coming to the event give up taking one shower during the coming week to make up for the water you will be using.
Make sure everyone working on this has everything they need. If it is a hot day get cold drinks for the Fire Department crew. You are the host for the event, so take good care of everyone working with you. Talk to the press and TV people. Let them know the importance of the rainbow. If it is cloudy and the rainbow gets canceled offer a public apology. Tell them you did your best.
Get some friends to take photos and video. It is the best way to remember that it did really happen. After the event send photos and thank you notes to all the people that helped. Next, just hang out and relax and realize you did an incredible job. Drop me a note about the event. I love hearing about rainbows.