Run by the junk yard and buy a steering wheel air bag. Touching the wires to a 12v battery will set it off. Two shotgun shells worth of explosives.
Build a cardboard model of an Apollo rocket. Air Bag at the bottom and some peanut butter or corn at the top. When Mr Squirrel is set for take off. Light the candle.
Paint the cardboard white. Get a little flag on the side. Put some effort in to it. Hell, hang some red, white and blue banners around.