PITTSBURGH — At Zambelli’s, workers will hand pick each firework and coordinate it to a specific effect for a 25-minute show that will blow viewers away.
“It affects so many of your emotions: sight, sound and smell,” said George Zambelli, owner and CEO of Zambelli Fireworks.
First, it’s the boom, then it’s the lights and finally, it’s the magnificent dance of colors filling the night sky. “At Zambelli, a Pittsburgh Fourth of July show is number one,” said Zambelli.
The Zambelli Firework Show has been a staple in Pittsburgh for decades, but on Monday it will make its big return after a five-year hiatus.
“You’re going to appreciate the fine-tuned choreography, the multilevel effects,” said Zambelli.
Zambelli said his grandfather immigrated to Western Pennsylvania with dreams of fireworks, and his father, a steelworker, doubled at night to grow the business, taking it from eight shows to 800 throughout the holiday weekend.
“We’ve been doing fireworks in Pittsburgh for many, many years. I did the last show at Three Rivers, I did the last show at Forbes field. It has been fun and we love Pittsburgh,” said Zambelli.
Mr. Zambelli explained that while 60% of business is done over the Fourth of July holiday, planning takes place all year round.
The company has acres of land stocked with supplies that are carefully counted, categorized, tracked by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and made ready, which is not an easy task in today’s economy.
“There have been loads of challenges in this industry: staffing shortages, containers stuck between China and the U.S.,” said company president, Michael Rick.
Rick said that despite the challenges, business is booming and the clientele is growing and diversifying with the new and exciting effects.
“Fireworks are such a unique feeling: when you hear a shell pop there is something in your heart that just hits,” said Rick.
The company hopes its love of fireworks shines brightly during the Fourth of July Pittsburgh show that kicks off at 9:30 p.m. and will dazzle viewers for 30 minutes.
“Massive, massive shells going to hit the air, awesome creative. I highly recommend getting down to the point,” said Rick.
The show will air on Channel 11 News at 9:30 p.m.
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