Lights up the sky for 126 years
3 min read
When Cincinnatians consider about fireworks, they think of Rozzi Fireworks.
Riverfest, Fourth of July celebrations, Reds household online games, Coney Island displays, neighborhood get-togethers, weddings – prospects are, you have seen a Rozzi Fireworks exhibit somewhere.
The spouse and children-owned small business leads the pyrotechnic business in the Better Cincinnati area. But how particularly did Rozzi Fireworks develop to turn into both internationally regarded and synonymous with every thing pyrotechnic in the Queen City?
It undoubtedly did not materialize from one particular day to the following. In simple fact, it has been in the building for a lot more than 125 years.
Nowadays, the enterprise is run out of Loveland, Ohio, by Nancy Rozzi, president, her brother Joe Rozzi, VP of income, and Michael Lutz, their nephew. But the story begins in Southern Italy above a century in the past.
Amusement:What can you do on July 4th in Cincinnati? This is when and the place the fireworks and events are
The Rozzi timeline
1895: Paolo Rozzi, Nancy’s great-grandfather, started out the company in Southern Italy. Shortly thereafter, Paolo emigrated to New Castle, Pennsylvania, and opened a fireworks manufacturing unit there.
His son, Arthur Rozzi, joined the enterprise at a younger age and performed a vital position in its expansion in the U.S.
1930: After environment out on his very own, Arthur obtained a agreement for a 10-night time demonstrate at Coney Island in Cincinnati. He ended up settling down in Loveland alongside with his spouse and two sons, Paul and Joseph (Nancy’s father), and begun earning fireworks there.
May 24, 1935: Arthur shot the fireworks for the first-at any time night time sport in Important League Baseball – Cincinnati Reds vs. Philadelphia Phillies at Crosley Subject. The celebration marked the beginning of a extensive-long lasting partnership with the baseball crew. (The Reds gained that activity, 2-1.)
1960s: Joseph Rozzi took about for his father. Rozzi Fireworks remained less than the leadership of Arthur and Joseph for nearly 80 many years. Throughout that time, they expanded the reliable firm and turned a component of Cincinnati custom.
Labor Working day, 1977: To start with-ever Cincinnati Riverfest, one particular of Rozzi Fireworks’ most anticipated displays of the yr and just one of the biggest pyrotechnic shows in the Midwest. The event attracts nearly a fifty percent-million spectators just about every calendar year.
2004: Joseph Rozzi died, and the fourth generation siblings assumed the business management positions. Joseph’s legacy proceeds to impact the way in which his small children operate Rozzi Fireworks – with a potent work ethic and a dedication to significant-high-quality merchandise.
“He labored so difficult and he was such a caring gentleman,” claimed Nancy. “(And) he experienced pleasure in it, and I consider that carries into what we do. … You never do it except it’s right.”
2009: Nancy unexpectedly turned business president soon after two of her brothers still left the family business. After additional than 40 years of practical experience, she was now in demand.
“It just sort of fell on my lap, it was by no means intended to be me,” said Nancy. “But I just place my huge lady trousers on and resolved that, you know, nicely maybe I can do this.”
That exact calendar year, they relocated to new premises for the very first time in virtually 78 several years. Considering the fact that then, it has been a three-person staff: Nancy, Joe and Michael.
2017: Rozzi Fireworks began a partnership with Italian fireworks company Panzera. The collaboration brings to the desk a broader range of artillery shells, between other merchandise, and has served extend Rozzi’s foothold in the worldwide pyrotechnic field.
The team has performed reveals and participated in competitions in countries about the earth which include Canada, England, France and Russia.
2019: 1 of people competitions was the international Pageant Pyrotechnique Cannes, where by Rozzi Fireworks gained the Jury Prize.
2021: Right after a steep income loss throughout the pandemic, Rozzi Fireworks is ultimately observing a return to enterprise as usual. With the dusk of Fourth of July right all over the corner, the Rozzi calendar is absolutely booked.
Likely forward, Nancy hopes global exhibits develop into a cornerstone of the renowned family business. “I want to vacation all around the earth to do fireworks, husband or wife with any person in a overseas country, do a grand demonstrate,” Nancy claimed. “That’s what I’d like to see us do.”
No issue what skies Rozzi Fireworks light up in the long term, a piece of Cincinnati will be proper there on the launchpad.
