WORTH TWP — People have come from all around the country to witness the Pyrotechnics Guild International fireworks convention at Cooper’s Lake, but one enthusiast has come from the other side of the world.

Tim Sargeant has traveled from Auckland, New Zealand, to spend a week in Butler watching and learning about his passion.

“There’s a great group of amateurs and professionals here,” he said of the convention. “It’s incredible.”

Sargeant is a pyrotechnic technician with Fireworks Professionals, Ltd., a large fireworks company in his home country.

He compared his company to Zambelli Fireworks in Western Pennsylvania, saying it is involved in spectacles like circuses and movies alongside regular displays.

“If it involves blowing something up, we can do it,” he said.

Sargeant is spending a week at the convention despite not being allowed to participate due to U.S. laws.

Instead, he’s using the time as a learning experience.

“As much fun as it is to watch the fireworks, it’s also about learning and sharing your experiences,” said Sargeant, who has been spending all day at the convention site talking with PGI members and watching the shows.

Traveling halfway around the world may seem to some like quite the trip for any convention, but for Sargeant, no distance is too far for his passion.

He traveled to his first PGI Convention last year when it was in Indianapolis.

While he said last year’s convention was great, he said the showing at Cooper’s Lake is even better.

“This is better, absolutely,” he said. “The grounds here are better. It’s an awesome view.”

“I’ve even heard some PGI members saying this is the best convention they’ve ever had.”