The man behind the Zanesville fireworks

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Thousands will gather in downtown Zanesville Monday night for this year’s fireworks display. While most will have their eyes glued to the skies, a group of five workers and one pyrotechnician will be focused on the Y-Bridge.

Stephen Vincent has been working the Zanesville fireworks for the better part of two decades. It’s his job to set off the fireworks from the Y-Bridge and make sure everything runs smoothly. Vincent works as a firefighter for Zanesville and said he got into the hobby by chance.

“I gave a guy a ride one day. He stopped by the fire station and I gave him a ride. He was shooting fireworks at the Zane Trace Commemoration, that’s how many years ago it was. And I thought that sounded fun,” said Vincent. “So I asked him if you could make any money doing it. He said, ‘Nah, but you have a lot of fun doing it.’ The next summer I started shooting for him.”

Vincent said this is his busy season, of course. He runs the fireworks displays for other communities throughout the area. However, setting off the fireworks in his hometown remains his favorite.

This year he said more than 2,000 fireworks will be set off and he hopes this year’s display will be one of the biggest yet. Vincent said that his passion has now become a family passion.

“I have four children and a lovely wife,” said Vincent. “My wife is licensed. Two of my children are licensed pyrotechnicians and do their own shows. And my other two children are licensed as helpers so they can handle the explosive products.”

The threat of rain is one of a pyrotechnicians biggest fears. Vincent said unless there is a torrential downpour on Monday night, they plan to let off the fireworks between 9:30 p.m. and 9:45.