The July 4th holiday is an explosive one for Zambelli Fireworks, a fireworks and pyrotechnics company. According to a CNN/Money article the company produces 1,600 fireworks displays nationwide for Independence Day celebrations.
The self-titled "first family of fireworks," based in New Castle, Pennsylvania, has been in business since the turn of the century, when Antonio Zambelli brought his pyrotechnic ability to the U.S. from Naples, Italy.
The company was then passed on to Antonio's son George "Boom-Boom" Zambelli in the 1950s, and is currently run by George's children.
"My dad took the business to another level," said George Zambelli Jr. "He created a designer brand of fireworks, and choreographed the displays to musical scores or live music."
"That's when the business exploded, you could say," Zambelli added.
Now Zambelli, who started working with fireworks at the tender age of 12, serves as chairman of the company. He works alongside his four sisters and his own children, including Jared and George Zambelli III, who will likely take over the business one day.
The article says the biggest displays require as much as "45,000 fireworks and 770,000 pounds of mortars." The company also provides for smaller celebrations like weddings. They also provide indoor pyrotechnics for sporting events and conventions. But this time of the year is likely the company's biggest -- you might hear one of their productions this upcoming holiday weekend.
