Garden State Fireworks

Garden State Fireworks is a pyrotechnics company based in the Millington section of Long Hill Township, Morris County, New Jersey, United States. It was founded in 1890 and has been owned by the same family for four generations.[1][2] It is one of the largest fireworks manufacturers in the United States.[3]

History

The company was founded in 1890 by Augustine Santore, a recent immigrant from Italy, where he had learned the trade of manufacturing fireworks. His sons and grandsons ("the Santore Brothers") continue to own and operate the company.[2]

The company has produced some notable fireworks shows, including those for the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary[4] and the New Year's Eve celebration in New York's Times Square.[5] The Santores co-produced (with three other families) the fireworks display for the "Liberty Weekend" centennial celebration of the Statue of Liberty on July 4, 1986, which is the largest fireworks show in United States history, and at the time was the largest fireworks show ever produced.[6]

In 1997 the company hosted and produced an International Fireworks Competition at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey. There were displays from a different country each day for five days, followed by a non-competitive display by Garden State. Competitors came from China, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy.[3]

Awards

In 1982 the firm won the World Fireworks Championship, held in Monaco, and in a 1983 repeat competition they won the International Grand World Fireworks "Interlauriat" Championship, the fireworks world's highest honor. They won the San Sebastian International Fireworks Competition in Spain in 1991 and again in 1994.[2]

Accidents

A fireworks company often comes to public attention only when there is an accident. Some such accidents have included:

References

  1. "Owner of Internationally-Renowned Fireworks Company to Share Spotlight with Daughters at 2008 USA Hockey Nationals". Business Wire. March 31, 2008. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Garden State Fireworks, The Santore Bros.". Garden State Fireworks website. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  3. 3.0 3.1 DeMasters, Karen (August 17, 1997). "A pyrotechnical U.N.". New York Times. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Lee, Mike; Horn, Jonathan; McDonald, Jeff (July 5, 2012). "Pyrotechnic misfire blamed on computer problems". San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  5. "San Diego fireworks malfunction in big, fast flash". Fox News. July 5, 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  6. "Largest fireworks displays in history!". U.S. Fireworks blog. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  7. "Fireworks accident leaves boy, 8, critical". Williamson Daily News. August 16, 1984. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  8. "Boy, 9, dies after shell hits him at fireworks". Philadelphia Inquirer. August 17, 1984. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  9. Somaroo, Tanya (October 9, 2002). "Fireworks a dud with audience". News-Press. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  10. Perry, Tony (July 6, 2012). "Big Bay Bust". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 6 July 2012.

11. "Fireworks Safety", http://www.usfireworks.com/index.php/shop-fireworks/information/7-fireworks-safety

External links