Zambelli Fireworks History

In the early 1900’s, fireworks were often used for religious holidays and Italian celebrations. Antonio’s eldest son Joe’s favorite display was the City of Chicago’s Italian Day Celebration In the 1940’s.

Antonio’s eldest son Joe Zambelli had a strong interest in the industry and started handcrafting fireworks when he was 12 or 13 years old. Here Joe, a cavalier master shell builder, is finishing a famous Zambelli crossette multi-break shell.

Original lobby of New Penn Hotel in the 1940’s. Zambelli Fireworks moved into this building, originally New Penn Hotel, in the early 1950’s. The hotel was converted to Z Penn Center remains as corporate headquarters today.

In 1960, with the addition of Alaska and Hawaii to the Union, President Eisenhower ordered a new design and arrangement of the stars in the Union. On July 4, 1960, the 50 star flag was raised over the Fort McHenry National Monument in Baltimore Maryland. During the 1960’s, Zambelli Fireworks..Read More

Zambelli fireworks exhibited from South Lawn during President Johnson’s State Dinner.

Zambelli Fireworks was proud to display their pyrotechnics along side the Washington Monument for decades. Lou and Joe Zambelli prepare special crosette and finale shells for Washington Monument show in the late 1950s Washington Monument, Zambelli Fireworks Spectacular

Criss-crossing comets project from atop Veterans Stadium

Joe and Louie with special Zambelli multi-break shells.

Zambelli Fireworks illuminate sky behind Independence Hall. George Zambelli and his brother Louis review aerial shells for Philadelphia Bicentennial Spectacular. In addition to the 100’s of Bicentennial displays that Zambelli Fireworks produced, Philadelphia was the most elaborate in the United States, exhibited simultaneously from 7 downtown locations including the historic..Read More

Rose Bowl Pyro-Musical Spectacular

Zambelli Fireworks exhibited pyrotechnics from the South Lawn of the White House in December 1980. The display was synchronized to music performed by the Marine Band conducted by Andre Kostelanetz. The show culminated with a spectacular finale choreographed to the 1812 Overture.

Zambelli Fireworks has exhibited pyrotechnics for regional and national Boy Scout Jamborees for decades at Fort AP Hill, Virginia. National Boy Scout Jamboree 1985 –George Sr. was the Jamboree Arena Shows Chairman.

George Sr. explains fireworks set-up to White House ushers Rex Scouten and Gary Walters.

George and Connie Zambelli with Saudi Arabian Prince Bin sultan Bin Abdulaziz before a fireworks exposition. Zambelli toured the US exhibiting fireworks for the Saudia Arabia Yesterday and Today program. The tour developed an effective style of outdoor show staging and productions that forged a renewed interest in laser shows..Read More

George Jr. and George Sr. with President and Mrs. Bush at their Kennebunkport compound prior to Independence Fireworks. The fireworks were exhibited from the compound.

Toured China’s fireworks factories to incorporate Zambelli manufacturing technology, safety, and quality control. Dr. George Zambelli Jr. builds a 12” chrysanthemum shell George Jr., George Sr., and Howard Simmons visit a Chinese government fireworks facility George Sr. discusses pioneering bar codes on pyrotechnic articles with world renowned Japanese firework maker..Read More

George ZambelliSr. with Michael Eisner, chairman and CEO of Disney, at the premiere of Angels in the Outfield

Zambelli Fireworks performed a display for the Pope John Paul II’s visit to Baltimore in October 1995. Papal Visit to Baltimore George Sr. with Pope John Paul II prior to the display.

George and Louis Zambelli inspect special Zambelli XXX in preparation for Papal fireworks display. Pope John Paul II’s visit to St. Louis. George Sr. and Connie had special audience with the Pope.

In 2003, George Sr. received the Silver Buffalo Award for distinguished service to youth and is awarded to those who give noteworthy and extraordinary service to youth. Also receiving Silver Buffalo Awards were H. Ross Perot and Yogi Berra.

Lou Zambelli, George Sr.’s youngest brother ,at 87 years old, still works 7 days a week at the plant manufacturing custom specialty shells

The Mythbusters came to the Zambelli facility in their quest to prove whether an ancient Korean Hawacha could do what it claimed. The episode aired on October 22, 2008.

The combination of flame work and Zambelli Fireworks made the show one of a kind. Isopar flame canons propelled propane flames as large as 60 feel high and 8 feet in diameter. The Firewater system shot rotating narrow flames 10 to 20 feet long creating effects replicating the water fountain..Read More

Zambelli family visits with President George W. Bush at White house after State Dinner for President Fox of Mexico in September 2001. The Presidents and their wives viewed the fireworks from the White House South Portico.

Zambelli Fireworks has been host to Pittsburgh Pirates fireworks for over 4 decades at Forbes Field, Three Rivers Stadium, and PNC Park. Fireworks explode outside PNC Park. Skyblast fireworks illuminate Bill Mazeroski statue.

Zambelli has been hosting Detroit’s Annual Freedom Festival for over 2 decades. The 2013 display will mark their 25th appearance. Detroit’s Independence display is one of America’s largest. Historic 24” shell is carefully loaded into a giant mortar 24” shell in the Detroit Annual Freedom Festival show

Buddy Bagley, fireworks chairman of the Jubilee for the 30th year, works with Dr. George Zambelli Jr.

Zambelli Fireworks was proud to have been selected to display fireworks at this year’s National Jamboree on July 20, 2013 at their new facility, The Summit, in Mt. Hope, West Virginia. In addition to the fireworks extravaganza, which was fired from up to 7 locations, Zambelli trained the Boy Scouts..Read More

Today Dr. Zambelli guides Zambelli Fireworks as Chairman of the Board, continuing his grandfather Antonio’s dreams and the leadership of his father George Sr. while mentoring his sons Jared and George III in the artistry of pyrotechnics.

Three generations of Zambelli’s produce Philadelphia’s July 4th Celebration at historic Philadelphia Art Museum.

Mark Spielvogel, pyrotechnic graphic designer, creates theatrical and animated sets as illustrated in these design illustrations for Hagley Museum.