Fireworks expert enlivens his Indiana Township neighborhood with birthday blasts, more

You could call him Pyro Joe.

Joe Veltri has a blast using his love of fireworks to brighten the nights of residents in his Indiana Township neighborhood, known as Park Place.

Veltri, 49, began putting on fireworks shows in the neighborhood after virtually everything — including in-person birthday parties — shut down with the onset of the pandemic.

“Our son Jake was saying how he and his friends were so upset they couldn’t see each other or have birthday parties,” Veltri said. “That’s a sad thing.”

So Veltri ramped up his fireworks game and began setting off 2-3-minute fireworks shows for the neighborhood children on their birthdays.

Park Place resident Meredith Maheshwary said her three young children were all treated to birthday fireworks.

“He’s so talented, and he’s excellent at this skill of fireworks shows,” Maheshwary said. “He chose to take this talent and help kids have a good birthday during covid.”

Her daughter Liza, 10, said she’s thankful for her personalized birthday fireworks show.

“It makes me so happy because it makes me feel like there’s good in the world,” Liza said.

Veltri, a Fox Chapel Area High School alumnus, said he has always been interested in model rocketry and built them in school as a youngster.

He’s certified by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives in pyrotechnics.

Additionally, Veltri has trained with Pittsburgh-based Zambelli Fireworks and was on the crew of a New Year’s Eve fireworks show in Hershey Park and during Beaver County Light Up Night.

He shoots off Class C 1.4 fireworks and never after 10 p.m., in compliance with Indiana Township noise regulations.

Class C fireworks are intended for use by the general public.

Veltri said he hosted about 25 shows last year and spent about $10,000 of his own money on the displays.

The outlay could also be considered part of a research and development budget: Veltri has launched a side business in fireworks, Master Blaster Pyro, geared to serve weddings, private parties and other events. His wife, Jamie, serves as project manager.

She said the fireworks have garnered attention from folks in neighboring areas.

“People outside the neighborhood have asked me ‘Who is doing the fireworks?’ and they’re curious,” Jamie Veltri said.

Maheshwary said she can see the fireworks directly from her backyard.

Park Place resident Anne King said Veltri’s generosity and kindness has helped to unify the neighborhood.

“It was a hard year for us and the fireworks provided joy. When the shows are done, you can hear the neighborhood and everyone screams in unison,” King said. “He brings a spark of joy during covid.”

Anne King’s two children both enjoyed fireworks shows on their birthdays.

“I’m very thankful that he’s taking the time to do this. Some kids don’t have big lavish parties thrown for them. It made my children feel special,” King said.

King said Veltri selected fireworks color-themes in pink, silver and blue for her daughter’s show.

“He looks at my daughter as being sparkly and told me, ‘I’m gonna give her some bright colors that suits her personality,’” King said.

In addition to birthday fireworks displays, Veltri hosted fireworks celebrations on New Year’s, Chinese New Year, Fourth of July and the Indian holiday of Diwali.

The Veltris’ house and grounds occupy three acres that are surrounded by another 20 acres.

Veltri said it’s more than enough room to meet the setback requirements of at least 150 feet.

“We haven’t had any complaints,” Veltri said.

Jamie Veltri always alerts the neighborhood via a group text on the days that a fireworks show is happening.

“It can be loud. They want to be respectful,” King said.

Veltri said he has no plans to quit providing fireworks for the neighborhood.

“I’m going to do this until the kids grow up,” Veltri said.