COMMUNITIES KEEP 4TH TRADITION ALIVE, THANKS TO PRIVATE SUPPORT
Rialto, CA, July1, 2010 -- Many communities have cancelled their traditional 4th of July firework displays due to budget cuts. Yet many cities have also seen private citizens, businesses and others come forward to help keep the patriotic displays from being fizzled. Cities like Palm Springs, Laguna Beach, Pico Rivera and others have had their residents and local businesses contribute private donations to keep their community fireworks exhibitions alive.
“We’ve had more shows cancelled and then resurrected at the last minute thanks to the local people and businesses coming forward,” said James Souza, president of Pyro Spectaculars by Souza, the Rialto, California-based fireworks company that will produce some 400 shows this 4th of July. Several cities including the City of Los Angeles and Rancho Cucamonga have outright cancelled due to city budget issues. “However, patriotism is alive and well, and people want to celebrate their freedom on July 4th."
In Seattle, the Independence Day celebration and fireworks display at Lake Union has been thrilling crowds for nine decades. But on March 31 of this year event leaders had to announce that the show was being cancelled because the name sponsor bank pulled out. 24 hours later the community came up with all the money it needed to continue this grand tradition. 300 businesses and individuals contributed more than $500,000 to put on the day long national class event.
Jim Souza responded with excitement, “We were amazed by the response of the Seattle community and businesses, and Pyro Spectaculars by Souza will be kicking in its share of extra fireworks to recognize this extraordinary effort by the Seattle community.”
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ROSE BOWL AMERICAFEST 2010 LARGEST FIREWORKS SHOW IN WEST
Rialto, CA, July1, 2010 -- The 84th annual AmericaFest fireworks celebration on July 4, 2010, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California,will showcase the largest and most explosive fireworks exhibition in southern California.
More than 5000 firework shells will be propelled into the Pasadena night sky, upholding a tradition of more than 80 years.
The firework celebration will be set to musical theme, “Celebrate Freedom” and will begin on July 4th about 9 p.m.
On July 2, firework crews will begin setting up and can provide a behind the scenes tour of the largest show in the southland. At 4 p.m. on the 2nd, media are invited to see test shells fired as pyro technicians ready for the show.
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IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR FOR SOUZAS
Rialto, CA, July1, 2010 -- Like his father, grandfather and great grandfather before him, Jim Souza continues to expand his family’s legacy as the America’s Fireworks Family.
Souza heads Pyro Spectaculars, which will produce some 400 shows this 4th of July. His sons Chris and Paul, now in their 30s, are following in dad’s footsteps and produce shows themselves.
Jim Souza is considered the pioneer of the new era of fireworks productions, the first to develop “HD” fireworks, as well as the first to set fireworks to music, called pyro musicals and Sky Concert(R).
Souza’s signature shows this year will include the Macy’s New York Celebration, Bay Bridge in San Francisco, Rose Bowl Americafest, Sea World San Diego and many award winning designs in Japan, Europe and Montreal.
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PAGING DOCTOR PYRO: PROFESSIONALS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE
GET THE FIREWORKS BUG EACH 4TH
Rialto, CA, July1, 2010 -- Each June, they get the fever. The smell of black powder and the sound of aerial fireworks draws them back to a passion far removed from their everyday lives.
For Tony Bestard, his days are filled with the responsibilities of being a defense attorney in Pomona. Come June, he turns his attention to being a fireworks show producer and pyrotechnician.
He caught the fever years ago when he volunteered with his friend Jim Souza, now president of Pyro Spectaculars, to help with the fireworks show for the World Cup. Since then, Bestard can’t help but be drawn to the spark of lighting the night sky with the beautiful colors of the 4th of July.
He is just one of so many professionals from all walks of life who turn their enthusiasm for art and fireworks into action as part time pyro technicians. There is also a surgeon from Redlands, an anesthesiologist from the Inland Empire, and many others of various professions comprising the part time crews who work so hard to perform the fireworks shows for fun and excitement.
It is these individuals in their unsung roles of as pyrotechnicians that allow communities around the state to celebrate our most patriotic of national holidays: Independence Day.
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A PEEK BEHIND THE SCENES
The magic only happens because of the hard work contrubuted by so many dedicated professionals, staff, helpers and volunteers across the country. These people give up their holiday because they believe in the great tradition of fireworks on the 4th of July. It is only with the support of the sponsors, fire departments, government agencies and the thousands of volunteers that such an extraordinary undertaking is possible. "We have thousands and thousands of pieces of specialized equipment that can only be used for one thing, and 95% of it is only used one day a year," Souza reminds us. "We go from a few shows a week to more than 400 shows in one day."
“An American Joourney”
is the 2007 title of the company’s Pyro Musical production. These displays bring not only fireworks but a story of
patriotism and pride to all Americans as we celebrate more than
200 years of Freedom. Narration
and patriotic music are designed to tell the story of
American history, from our forefathers signing of the Declaration
of Independence to great symbols like the Liberty Bell and Statue of
Liberty. It just would not be a Souza fireworks show unless there were special tributes to those Americans that keep us safe so that we can celebrate
our independence. The show concludes with the famous “Souza
grand finale” performed to the Stars and Stripes Forever.
DEFINING STATE OF THE ART!
High definition comes to fireworks with fabulous new effects that dazzle the eyes and the imagination with multiple sparkling effects like you have never seen. Extra portions have been brought in of the crowd’s
favorites like, Happy Face, Whistling Dixie, and The Americana along
with the “Souza Signature” aerial firework, the “Golden
Eagle” that will form a giant golden canopy cascading from
the sky at our largest displays.
ABOUT PYRO SPECTACULARS BY SOUZA
Safety comes first at Pyro Spectaculars. More than 2500 pyrotechnic operators and crew have been
licensed by the State of California and trained by our company though "Pyro University." This year-long program provides training and up to date
information on new products, equipment and regulations. The training
is offered to new and current pyrotechnic operators and to local
fire services. For more information on how to become an operator,
see the Pyro Spectaculars Web site at http://pyrospectaculars.com/techniciantraining.html
Pyro Spectaculars by Souza has produced many national and international
events such as the Olympics, Super Bowls, Chinese New Year in Hong
Kong, Statue of Liberty Centennial and many more world class events.
The Souza family has been featured in many news articles and documentaries
including the Discovery Channel, Learning Channel, The NBC Today
Show, ABC Good Morning America and People Magazine.
The company is a leader in the fireworks display industry pioneering
the use of electronic and computer controlled displays. Fusing together
the ancient art of fireworks with modern technology keeps the 5th
generation Souza’s in the forefront of the industry.
The company specializes in presenting large public displays and
offers full service programs to the hundreds of communities celebrating
this 4th of July with traditional fireworks shows as well as state-of-the-art
pyrotechnics exploding to synchronized sound tracks and performances
at parks, piers, golf courses, country clubs and even over the ocean.
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PYRO SPECTACULARS by SOUZA TO DAZZLE
AMERICAFEST® 2007 AT PASADENA ROSE BOWL
Pasadena, CA, June 19, 2007 -- Pyro Spectaculars by Souza will again present a dazzling display of fireworks for AmericaFest® 2007, the 81st Annual Fourth of July Celebration at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on July 4, 2007.
“We are very pleased to continue our decades long participation in AmericaFest,” announced Jim Souza, President of Pyro Spectaculars by Souza. “We have some incredible new fireworks to show off, including our High Definition Fireworks™ that are state of the art pyrotechnic artistry.”
Paul Souza, Jim’s son and a fifth generation pyrotechnician, will work with his father in producing the 2007 AmericaFest fireworks. “I have been working with the testing of the new designs, and I will tell you they are really impressive,” Paul reports.
The event is also scheduled to be featured in a CBS Independence Day broadcast. But, Jim Souza reminds us, “Don’t forget the best way to celebrate our nation’s most patriotic holiday is to come out to the Rose Bowl, enjoy a warm summer evening, and feel the excitement of the music and fireworks.”
Indeed, the Rose Bowl is planning a fun 4th of July for all guests starting at noon with its Food and Fun Festival, followed by the popular Patriotic Concert by the California Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Victor Vener, inside the Rose Bowl at 7:00 p.m.
The fireworks start at 9:00 p.m. and will feature lots of never-before-seen fireworks effects choreographed to a musical program. “The Rose Bowl is such a beautiful place to watch fireworks,” we were told by dozens of families that watched last year’s AmericaFest fireworks. “Inside the stadium is the best place to watch because you can hear and see everything,” Jim Souza told us.
Better get your tickets early for this one. As big as the Rose Bowl is, some of the interior space is taken for the fireworks that are presented exclusively for ticket holders that are seated inside. With the popularity of this event growing by leaps and bounds each year, better make sure you have your tickets for this exciting event.
PICTURES OF AMERICAFEST 2006
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PYRO
SPECTACULARS by SOUZA
INVITES YOU TO MONTREAL FOR
MONTREAL INTERNATIONAL FIREWORKS FESTIVAL
RIALTO, CALIF., JUNE18, 2007 -- Pyro Spectaculars by Souza is pleased to invite you to join them as they represent the United States of America with a grand display of fireworks at the world famous L’International des Feux Loto-Québec on July 14, 2007 in Montreal Canada, as they present:
ELVIS PRESLEY: AN AMERICAN IDOL
Pyro Spectaculars by Souza will present a “live” Sky Concert saluting the “King of Rock ‘n Roll” - Elvis! at the world famous Montreal International Fireworks Festival in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on July 14, 2007.
Elvis Presley, a true American Idol, had a sound and style that uniquely combined his diverse musical influences and ushered in a whole new era of American music and popular culture.
Elvis’ musical influences ran from American pop and the country music of the time, to gospel and R&B.
Pyro Spectaculars by Souza will perform “live” with their fireworks to the music of Elvis, including the famous Hound Dog and Jail House Rock, the familiar Viva Las Vegas and Blue Suede Shoes and a moving grand finale to the American Trilogy.
The firework performances will be as varied and diverse as the music of Elvis with gyrating Tourbillions, dancing Sousa Comets, the broad spectrum Colored Rain and the company’s signature Golden Eagle with Thundering Platinum salutes.
Join Pyro Spectaculars by Souza on this fascinating Pyro musical journey and travel back in the radiance of the fireworks' light to the timeless music that earned Elvis the title "King of Rock 'n Roll." Elvis Presley: a true “American Idol.”
In the words of the Festival Program:
Five generations have built up this family firm—the largest in the United States—with achievements that include the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1984, 1996, and 2004 Olympic Games. This year’s show pays fiery tribute to the King himself, Elvis Presley. Through his most immortal songs, a people’s mania for one of its greatest idols is reflected in the sky, where the light of those who never die burns forever bright.
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