Six generations of Grucci, dubbed “America’s First Family of Fireworks,” have been wowing audiences across the world for 168 years with an impressive record of fireworks displays, including the 200th anniversary celebration of “The Star-Spangled Banner” performance in Baltimore in 2014; countless grand openings and events in Las Vegas and New York City; and recently, a Guinness World Record for the world’s largest aerial fireworks shell on New Year’s Day 2018 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Grucci Fireworks History
“Everything in this family revolves around fireworks displays and explosives manufacturing,” says Phil Grucci, 55, the fifth-generation owner and current president and CEO of the Bellport, New York-based company. “It got into my blood very early in my career. I grew up with my grandfather and dad going to Coney Island. When the show was over, everyone would come over and pat him on the back and give accolades for the performance.” What started as a dream of Phil Grucci’s great-great grandfather Angelo Lanzetta, who emigrated to Long Island, New York, from Italy in 1870, is now a world-renowned business. With the help of 400 pyrotechnicians, the Grucci’s perform 80-90 shows during Fourth of July weekend alone. Most family members contribute to events using their own skill sets. Phil Grucci’s daughter Lauren is the company’s photographer. Son Christopher produced last year’s July Fourth performance near the Statue of Liberty. And nephew Corey manages event personnel. “On the Fourth of July, you can imagine there are no picnics in the family,” he says. “We have our picnics in August sometime when things start to slow down.” Now the family is looking to the sixth generation for new ideas. This year, the company is going green by creating fireworks that produce less smoke and debris. And they have a new mega-project under wraps for the 2019 New Year’s celebration. “We’re as patriotic as you’re going to get,” he says. “To a small extent, we become ambassadors for the U.S. We’re just a small part of presenting to the world what Americans are about and the pride and passion we maintain in everything we do.” Up next: Is It Harder to Make Fireworks in Certain Colors?
