Time to celebrate: Western Pa. fireworks companies welcome back July 4th shows, revenue

Professional firework displays once again will light up the sky this Fourth of July holiday as a number of communities and attractions resume shows that were largely canceled last year because of the covid-19 pandemic.

The shift toward normalcy is welcomed by pyrotechnic companies across the region, which are gearing up to host firework shows after a year of mostly sitting idle.

“It certainly feels a lot better than it did last year at this time,” said Stephen Vitale, president and CEO of Pyrotecnico Fireworks in New Castle. “There’s been a lot of demand for people to get out, to be together, and we believe Independence Day will be a great opportunity for Americans to celebrate.”

For professional display companies, about 85% of shows have returned this year. That is nearly the opposite of 2020, when up to 80% of shows were canceled.

Several area municipalities are among those resuming firework shows this year, including Pittsburgh, Latrobe, Monroeville, South Fayette, Carnegie, Crafton and Scott, among others.

But the resumption of shows comes with some municipalities, including Latrobe and Monroeville, taking precautions. Both canceled their parades given the uncertainties of the virus.

“After much thought and consideration in weighing the unknown restrictions for such a well-attended event, it was determined that it would be best to continue to postpone the parade until such a time that possible restrictions will not be necessary to keep our community safe,” Monroeville officials posted on Facebook.

Despite the changes, professional display companies are happy to have shows to put on this year as they work to recoup revenues lost during the pandemic.

According to Steve Houser, president of the National Fireworks Association, several display companies ordered product prior to the cancellations last year. That meant fireworks were locked up in warehouses for most of the year, causing companies to lose money that would have been generated from shows.

Houser noted companies also had to keep staff on duty to maintain the product.

“They can’t just shut their doors, they can’t close and say we’re going to go on a hiatus,” he said. “They didn’t have the money from the sales to do all of the payroll, so it became a real strain on their cash flow. That was how it hurt so bad last year.”

At Pyrotecnico, the company lost about 70% of its business in 2020, resulting in revenues decreasing by more than $25 million, Vitale said.

“We certainly were not pandemic-proof,” he said.

The company also furloughed about 75% of its staff to help save costs during some of the peak months of the pandemic.

Warrendale-based Zambelli Fireworks lost about 80% of its business last year, according to George Zambelli Jr., board chairman.

“Certainly, last year was a real challenge, the biggest challenge I’ve ever seen in my lifetime in the fireworks industry,” Zambelli said. “We had a significant reduction in revenue.”

To help make it through, both companies relied on reducing staff hours, working with banks and relying on Paycheck Protection Program loans.

“We worked real hard to keep the business together because we knew it would come back,” Vitale said. “It was only a matter of time.”

The company is already working to reverse the trends of the past year.

Officials at Pyrotecnico are gearing up to host the Independence Day celebration for Pittsburgh, one of several shows canceled last year. The event, which includes a gathering at Point State Park, typically attracts thousands of people to multiple points around the city.

Zambelli’s already hosted firework shows across the nation, including at Thunder Over Louisville in Kentucky and the Ford Fireworks show in Detroit.

For Zambelli and Vitale, firework shows scheduled this year are a step toward returning to normal in 2022.

Vitale said he is hopeful next year will bring revenues that match those originally expected to occur in 2020 before so many shows were upended.

“You roll with it and you make the best of everything,” Zambelli said.