FIREWORKS FOREVER is retail and wholesale consumer fireworks business located in Western Wisconsin. We are family- owned and operated and make it our number one priority to provide you with the absolute safest and highest–quality products. We've been in the business for nearly 30 years and import almost 100% of our inventory directly from the factories in China, effectively eliminating the middle man.
We carry many brands, which allows us to pick and choose what we feel are the best products those factories have to offer. We also visit the factories in China to tour the facilities, deliver suggestions, and ensure quality. On top of that, we have staff members who have been working with these factories and fireworks in general for their entire lives. Our promise to you is this: Everything we do here - Everything! – is to ensure that you end up with products you love, fair prices, and a great purchasing experience!
OUR HISTORY
In 1981, David Wachter, President of Rainmaker Enterprises, LTD, decided to make his love of fireworks into a career. Starting off in any business isn't easy and for many years the back of a semi–trailer was his showroom. But after two years of hard work the first store was built. Rainmaker Fireworks, now open seasonally, is located in St. Croix Falls, WI.
A second store, located outside of Somerset, WI, was opened in 1985. These two locations sustained the business for many years. It wasn't until the nineties that Dave started to look for another site to house a store. In 1994, a corner lot on Hwy 8 became available and Dave put up a small building with the name Fireworks Forever - St. Croix Falls. After several expansions, it is now our flagship store with a spacious retail showroom and warehouse. This store also houses our main office, handles our wholesale operation, and is open year–round.
Unfortunately, the Somerset location had to come down in 1999 to make way for road construction, but by 2004, the site was ready for a new store. The building went up quickly and features our biggest showroom, at 5,000 sq. ft. Fireworks Forever - Somerset is open for 10 months of the year.
Through hard work and dedication to the industry, Dave built Fireworks Forever into a trusted and well–known business both nationally and internationally. The Company imports product directly from factories around the world and carries only the highest quality consumer items produced. Fireworks Forever also works hard to maintain a close relationship with each factory; visiting them as often as possible to tour the facilities, ensure product quality, and give advice on new products and improvement.
In addition to its international role, Fireworks Forever also plays an active role here at home. The Company is a member/supporter of many organizations, which promote fireworks safety, awareness, celebration, improvement and fun; they include, but are not limited to, Pyrotechnics Guild International, American Pyrotechnic Association, National Fireworks Association, Wisconsin Pyrotechnic Arts Guild, Wisconsin Fireworks Association and the National Council on Firework Safety. The Company also gives back each year by donating to several community and national causes.
Fireworks Forever is a family operated business. In 1991 Pat Wachter joined the business as the Chief Financial Officer. Jason Wachter stepped up to fill the position of Vice President in 2002. In 2005, Ann Wachter filled the position of Chief Operations Manager and in 2007, Marcus Berger filled the Sales Manager position. Fireworks Forever is also lucky to have many returning seasonal employees who have all become members of our "extended fireworks family."
In 2005, David started down the road of retirement and the business is now handled by the three–pronged administration, which is made up of the Chief Financial Officer, Vice President, and Chief Operations Manager. Despite our many years in the business and the changing of the guard, Fireworks Forever is still committed to the reason it was first started - love of fireworks, family, and fun.
MISSION STATEMENT
Fireworks Forever is committed to providing distinctive, high–quality products and unparalleled customer service.
HISTORY OF FIREWORKS
"The day will be the most memorable in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival…It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade…bonfires and illuminations (fireworks) from one end of this continent to the other, from this day forward and forevermore."
So wrote John Adams on July 3, 1776 to his wife after the Continental Congress decided to proclaim the American colonies independent of England. Fireworks were associated with Independence Day even before the signing of the Declaration.
The discovery of gun powder and the invention of the first fireworks (bamboo cases or rolled paper tubes filled with explosives) are traditionally credited to the Chinese, although India is also a likely source. The sound of these first firecrackers, which appeared about 1,000 years ago, was so loud that the Chinese believed the noise would scare away evil spirits. Almost any event - a birth, death, wedding, coronation or New Year Celebration - became a fit occasion for the noisemakers.
Fireworks made their way to Europe sometime in the 13th century, probably carried back from the East by Crusaders. Their popularity grew, and by the 15th century they were widely used for religious festivals and public entertainment. The Italians were the first to manufacture fireworks and were the undisputed European masters of fireworks–making through the end of the 17th century. Their wares were used all over Europe to mark great occasions.
The earliest settlers brought their love of fireworks to the New World, where firings of black powder were used to celebrate holidays and impress the natives. Pranksters in the colony of Rhode Island caused enough problems that in 1731 a ban was established on the mischievous use of fireworks.
By the time of the American Revolution, fireworks had long played a part in celebrating important events. It was natural that not only John Adams, but also many of his countrymen, should think of fireworks when independence was declared. The very first celebration of Independence Day was in 1777, six years before Americans knew whether the new nation would even survive the war, and fireworks were a part of the revels.
Americans' spirit of celebration continued to grow and fireworks became more popular than ever. The fireworks of today, however, are a far cry from the first fireworks. While they are still mostly hand–made, strict regulations are now in place to ensure that every consumer firework is safe as possible. These regulations, coupled with growing public education, have helped to decrease the amount of firework–related injuries to all time lows, even as the use of consumer fireworks grows at a rapid rate.
Nowadays, fireworks can be seen throughout the year in communities large and small, in sports stadiums, amusement parks, backyards, picnics, reunions, graduations, weddings, and more. Whether it's a professional display or a couple consumer fountains, there's nothing like a fireworks display to add that spectacular finishing touch to any occasion. Fireworks truly are an American tradition.
– Parts of this history have been reproduced here with the permission of the American Pyrotechnics Association.