200 Years Later, National Anthem has Second Act at Fort McHenry, Complete with Rockets' Red Glare

BALTIMORE, March 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Star-Spangled 200, Inc. (SS200) announced that it has commissioned Fireworks by Grucci, to produce the Star-Spangled Spectacular Fireworks on September 13, 2014.  Grucci is a 5^th generation family-run business that holds the Guinness World Record for the largest fireworks display ever recorded.  The pyrotechnic fireworks display will be visible from the Inner Harbor and the Patapsco River to the Canton Waterfront and the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine.  The performance will be the glittering highlight of Star-Spangled Spectacular, September 6 - 16, 2014 and will mark the 200^th anniversary of our National Anthem.   

"We are thrilled to have Fireworks by Grucci on board to tell the story of our National Anthem in an artistic, dynamic and compelling way," said Ann Beegle, executive director of Star-Spangled 200, Inc.  "Visitors at Spectacular will be moved by this unique and memorable display."

Fireworks by Grucci was selected through an open Request for Proposal process led by the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts on behalf of Star-Spangled 200, Inc. and the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission.  Grucci's proposal was chosen for its superior artistic and technical plan, as well as its own unique American heritage.  Known as "America's first family of fireworks," the Gruccis have become synonymous with the celebration of major historical events and milestones, including staging the pyrotechnical shows for the nation's 1976 Bicentennial Celebration, seven consecutive Presidential Inaugurations, and the Centennial Celebration of the Statue of Liberty.

"The National Anthem holds a special place in the hearts of all Americans.  It's more than a song; it's part of our collective DNA," said Phil Grucci, CEO of Fireworks by Grucci.  "The banner that inspired Francis Scott Key that night in 1814 has grown into the symbol of freedom that we all enjoy today.  As a proud American family in its 6^th generation in business, Fireworks by Grucci is honored to have been selected."

The fireworks program will be located from multiple positions and cover a distance of approximately 2-1/2 miles.  The show will be comprised of three main segments: a powerful audience-engaging opening; a main performance of multi-level and multi-effect sequences; and a world-renowned Grucci grand finale.  The performance will tell a very American story of patriotism, unity and inspiration utilizing Grucci's patented technical PixelBurst™ and SkyEtching™ technologies.   Telling the compelling story through Francis Scott Key's words, show elements will include: "broad stripes and bright stars," "rockets' red glare and bombs bursting in air", and "twilight's last gleaming," among others. 

Two hundred years ago Francis Scott Key, a Maryland-born attorney, was inspired to write the words to what would become the United States' National Anthem.  Today Star-Spangled 200 and the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission commemorate this legacy through a multi-year celebration culminating with Star-Spangled Spectacular, September 6 - 16, 2014.  The 10-day festival will include Tall Ships, Navy gray hulls, a performance by the Blue Angels, landside festivities, a nationally televised special, and Grucci's extraordinary program to honor the National Anthem. 

About Star-Spangled 200
Star-Spangled 200 is a multi-year commemoration that celebrates the 200^th anniversary of our national anthem.  Star-Spangled Sailabration in Baltimore's Inner Harbor and the Chesapeake Bay launched the events in June 2012.  Sailabration included a maritime festival with 45 vessels from a dozen nations and an airshow featuring the Blue Angels, and drew more than 1.5 million visitors. Star-Spangled 200 continued Spring 2013 through Summer 2014 with the Chesapeake Campaign, a series of more than a dozen festivals in waterfront communities around the Bay.  Two conferences were held at the U.S. Naval Academy in 2013 - Cross Tech, June 10-11 and From Enemies to Allies, June 12-15 – bringing together leaders in cyber security and scholars from the U.K, Canada and the U.S.  Events will culminate with Star-Spangled Spectacular, September 6-16, 2014, celebrating the 200^th anniversary of the National Anthem.  Star-Spangled 200 is supported by its Presenting Sponsor AT&T with Founding Partner support from Constellation and Papa John's.  For more information, please visit www.StarSpangled200.com or www.StarSpangled200.org.

About Fireworks by Grucci
Holders of the Guinness World Record for "Largest Fireworks Display" ever recorded, Fireworks by Grucci is a fifth-generation, family-owned and operated company world-renowned for its pyrotechnic artistry, scientific innovation, and old-fashioned values.  Known as "America's First Family of Fireworks", the Gruccis have transformed the night skies to the delight of millions across the globe since 1850.  Among their signature performances are seven consecutive U.S. Presidential Inaugurations; the Olympic Games in Beijing, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, and Lake Placid; commemorations such as the Centennial of the Statue of Liberty, and star-studded extravaganzas such as the grand opening of the Atlantis Dubai and The Palm Jumeirah resorts in the United Arab Emirates. On New Year's Eve 2013, Fireworks by Grucci smashed the Guinness Book of World's Records mark for "Largest Fireworks Display" with a stunning performance displaying 479,651 fireworks along Dubai's iconic shoreline. Phil Grucci currently serves as President/CEO of Fireworks by Grucci, Inc. and Pyrotechnique by Grucci, Inc., the manufacturing entity of the Grucci group of companies. www.grucci.com

Contact:
Jill Feinberg
Director of Communications
410.767.6267/443.931.6752
[email protected]

SOURCE Fireworks by Grucci