Ingram Enterprises Lights Up America's 250th Fourth of July

Independence Day has long served as the quintessential summer tradition. It's the holiday that has it all: paid time off, gathering with loved ones over star-spangled desserts, perfectly ripe watermelon and so many fireworks. No shade to your cousin's themed charcuterie board, but the true measure of a celebration is how cool the explosions are.

This year, the amount of anticipation has skyrocketed, so to speak. Not only is this the United States of America's historic semiquincentennial birthday, but the holiday also falls on a Saturday. Countless celebrations large and small are planned nationwide, and right in the middle of that movement is Michael Ingram, president of Ingram Enterprises and its affiliated companies Fireworks Over America, Fireworks Supermarkets, and Pyro Spectaculars. Acquired by the company in September 2024, Pyro Spectaculars is one of the world's premier fireworks display companies.

"We are part of some amazing projects this season with truly historic venues," Ingram says. "We do Macy's in NYC, with two barges on the Hudson in front of the Statue of Liberty and four barges running up and down the East River to Brooklyn Bridge. The bridge will be closed. We use it as a prop."

While Pyro Spectaculars has been part of that process and production for decades, it is also fortunate to take part in other major celebrations this year, at both Mount Rushmore National Memorial and the Golden Gate Bridge. Ingram is equally excited about the 28 local community shows in Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma.

"Producing 326 shows over the holiday from coast to coast is an extraordinary task, but there is no greater privilege than telling the story of America's independence through the art of fireworks," Ingram says.

According to Ingram, the scope of the business means each season starts July 5 of the year prior. "We're the only fully vertical integrated fireworks company in the U.S.," he says. "We touch every part of the industry in a major way. We have our import company and our distribution company, so we sell from Bangor, Maine, to Seattle, Washington." His clients include big-box retailers like Walmart, mom and pop stands and professional display companies. On the retail side, the company has 22 stores, plus Pyro Spectaculars, which produces concerts, sporting events and major events like the Olympics and Super Bowl.

"What we want is for people to be immersed, to lose track of time," Ingram says. "We hope it's everything we know it can be."

By the Numbers

Eyes on the Skies: This year, bigger is the rule. Macy's celebrates their 50th annual event this year, and they promise one of the biggest shows in their history.

• Number of Employees: Approximately 2,000, split evenly between full-time and contract.

• How Long a Show Takes To Set Up: Big shows take two full weeks around the clock before the show.

• The Bigs: Macy's New York City, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Golden Gate Bridge, Big Bay Boom San Diego

• Must-See Local Events: Big Cedar Lodge, Top of the Rock, Kimberling City, Hickory Hills Country Club

• States Where Ingram Sells Fireworks: 49 (Fireworks are illegal in Massachusetts.)