Hartwood Acres Prepping For Pyrofest

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The sky over Hartwood Acres will burst with color, sound and music Saturday afternoon and evening as Pyrotecnico presents what it calls America's largest fireworks festival.

Pyrofest will feature three live bands and six fireworks displays.

Before they can soar into the air though, the fireworks have to be set up on the ground. That made for a busy Friday at Hartwood Acres.

Rocco Vitale is creative director for the family-owned company, based in New Castle since 1920.

The $400,000 worth of colorful explosives will center around an 80-foot tower.

"You see there's a circle at the top of it," says Vitale. "We'll have pyro going in 360 degrees around it."

Event director Derek Weber says Pyrotecnico considered many locations, before settling on the North Hills location.

"We decided we really wanted to start it in Pittsburgh," Weber explains. "It's our back yard. Hartwood Acres is a perfect location. We look for the crowd to come in with a festive atmosphere, bring a blanket, bring a cooler. Enjoy the fireworks and the music."

There will even be daytime fireworks. But Vitale says the highlight, as always, is the grand finale.

"The night's going to culminate with Pyrotechnico doing a sequel to our award-winning show, Rock Love, which is a 22-minute rock and roll based fireworks display that's just going to blow people's minds," he said.

For more information on Pyrofest: Pyrofest.com

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