When Cincinnatians think about fireworks, they think of Rozzi Fireworks.
Riverfest, Fourth of July celebrations, Reds home games, Coney Island displays, neighborhood parties, weddings – chances are, you have seen a Rozzi Fireworks display somewhere.
The family-owned business leads the pyrotechnic industry in the Greater Cincinnati area. But how exactly did Rozzi Fireworks grow to become both internationally recognized and synonymous with everything pyrotechnic in the Queen City?
It certainly didn’t happen from one day to the next. In fact, it has been in the making for more than 125 years.
Today, the company is run out of Loveland, Ohio, by Nancy Rozzi, president, her brother Joe Rozzi, VP of sales, and Michael Lutz, their nephew. But the story begins in Southern Italy over a century ago.
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The Rozzi timeline
1895: Paolo Rozzi, Nancy’s great-grandfather, started the company in Southern Italy. Shortly thereafter, Paolo emigrated to New Castle, Pennsylvania, and opened a fireworks factory there.
His son, Arthur Rozzi, joined the business at a young age and played a crucial role in its expansion in the U.S.
1930: After setting out on his own, Arthur got a contract for a 10-night show at Coney Island in Cincinnati. He ended up settling down in Loveland along with his wife and two sons, Paul and Joseph (Nancy's dad), and started making fireworks there.
May 24, 1935: Arthur shot the fireworks for the first-ever night game in Major League Baseball – Cincinnati Reds vs. Philadelphia Phillies at Crosley Field. The event marked the beginning of a long-lasting partnership with the baseball team. (The Reds won that game, 2-1.)
1960s: Joseph Rozzi took over for his father. Rozzi Fireworks remained under the leadership of Arthur and Joseph for nearly 80 years. During that time, they expanded the reputable company and became a component of Cincinnati tradition.
Labor Day, 1977: First-ever Cincinnati Riverfest, one of Rozzi Fireworks’ most anticipated shows of the year and one of the largest pyrotechnic displays in the Midwest. The event attracts nearly a half-million spectators each year.
2004: Joseph Rozzi died, and the fourth generation siblings assumed the company leadership positions. Joseph's legacy continues to influence the way in which his children run Rozzi Fireworks – with a strong work ethic and a commitment to high-quality products.
“He worked so hard and he was such a caring man,” said Nancy. “(And) he had pride in it, and I think that carries into what we do. ... You don’t do it unless it’s right.”
2009: Nancy unexpectedly became company president after two of her brothers left the family business. After more than 40 years of experience, she was now in charge.
“It just kind of fell on my lap, it was never supposed to be me," said Nancy. "But I just put my big girl pants on and decided that, you know, well maybe I can do this.”
That same year, they relocated to new premises for the first time in nearly 78 years. Since then, it has been a three-person team: Nancy, Joe and Michael.
2017: Rozzi Fireworks began a partnership with Italian fireworks firm Panzera. The collaboration brings to the table a wider variety of artillery shells, among other products, and has helped expand Rozzi’s foothold in the international pyrotechnic industry.
The team has performed shows and participated in competitions in countries around the world including Canada, England, France and Russia.
2019: One of those competitions was the international Festival Pyrotechnique Cannes, where Rozzi Fireworks won the Jury Prize.
2021: After a steep revenue loss during the pandemic, Rozzi Fireworks is finally seeing a return to business as usual. With the dusk of Fourth of July right around the corner, the Rozzi calendar is fully booked.
Going forward, Nancy hopes international shows become a cornerstone of the renowned family business. “I want to travel all over the world to do fireworks, partner with somebody in a foreign country, do a grand show,” Nancy said. “That’s what I’d like to see us do.”
No matter what skies Rozzi Fireworks light up in the future, a piece of Cincinnati will be right there on the launchpad.
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