The HMS:
Szczepan's capture of the parachuter ablaze with sparklers is pretty amazing, and definitely not what I was expecting:

Ken Zaret's capture has a wild abstract quality and is really a nice fireworks image:

I really Like Alan Hart's comp in this particular capture -- a very nice presentation of this display:

Markus Grompe's capture of a low-key festive scene reminded me of our local fireworks show when I was a child:

And Yaron Koler's capture takes the festive scene to a higher level:

aldeca's capture here has a wonderful 3-D effect that really had me mesmerized:

Third Place goes to Flo Hendry's "Leaving this World". I love the comp and the color in this one:

Second Place goes to Pawel Kazmierczyk's "Show Off" photo. What an outstanding capture and another entry that pleasingly pushed the limits of what I was expecting:

First Place goes to John C. de Freitas's "New Year Fireworks - Funchal, Madeira - Portugal" capture. A frame full of wonderful bursts:

My thanks for all of the great entries and to the HM's and winners.