The

George Zambelli, Sr. Memorial Scholarship

As the President and Owner of Zambelli Fireworks Internationale, a world-class and world-recognized business that produces nearly 3,500 fireworks shows annually, George Zambelli, Sr. lit up the world’s skyline for more than 50 years with his company’s fireworks and pyrotechnic displays. Never at a loss for words when explaining his business, George once stated, "there is no form of entertainment that has a greater engraving effect. Fireworks are mesmerizing for everyone; young and old, rich and poor, Democrats and Republicans. They touch everybody."

A Duquesne University graduate, George earned several nicknames over the years including “Boom Boom,” “The Great Zambelli,” and “Mr. Fireworks,” and for 79 years, George filled the world with awe and wonder. He taught us the importance of family, of relationships, and of values. He taught us to look to the sky with our dreams and to create visions larger than ourselves. He taught us how to inspire others, to bring a smile to faces we may never know, and to understand the potential that we all have to touch the lives of so many others with our own. He was a true giant in the festivals and events field, who allowed us all to be a part of his “family”. 

Amongst all the bright lights of his displays, clearly the brightest spot in George’s life was his real family. George and wife Connie were married in 1946 and had five children: George, Jr., Donnalou, Marcy, Annlyn, and Danabeth. Today, sons-in-law, a daughter-in-law, and 10 grandchildren complete the family.

George Zambelli, Sr. passed away Christmas Day 2003 at the age of 79. In the obituary that ran in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, son George, Jr., said, “He always thought fireworks were magic…He was like a painter who painted the sky.”

Along with the annual IFEA/Zambelli Fireworks Internationale Volunteer of the Year Award, created in 2001, the George Zambelli, Sr. Scholarship keeps alive George’s spirit and life-long support of young people, industry professionals and the countless volunteers who play such a critical role in events around the world.

To Apply for the George Zambelli Sr. Scholarship, Click Here.