About
OUR HISTORY:
Fireworks Forever has been in business since 1981 and is still committed to the reason it was first started – love of fireworks, family, and fun. Through hard work and dedication to the industry, Fireworks Forever has become trusted and well-known both nationally and internationally. We take an active role in improving the fireworks industry as a whole. The Company is a member/supporter of many organizations, which promote fireworks safety, awareness, celebration, and improvement. As a locally-owned Company, we value community and give back each year by donating to several local and national causes.
CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS:
We’re in this business, because we love to help people celebrate and hearing your stories keeps our staff going. So please drop us an email, send us a card in the mail, or give us a call and share your experiences. Who knows, your note could end up on our website! Here are just a few of the many comments we have received:
“Thanks to you all for the fabulous fireworks. It is such a treat for us all.”
“The ‘Fireworks Fans’ of Madeline Island Island thank you! We save the best for August…We have a running list of your recommendations.”
“Thank you so much for the fireworks!! The package you put together was awesome, everybody loved the show! They were the hit of the party – Lots of comments.”
“[Your fireworks gave us] the best home show we’ve ever seen. Everyone loved it.”
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 fireworks.
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.