Bigger bang, more bucks for Rehoboth’s fireworks next year
Rehoboth Beach officials have awarded a contract to Zambelli Fireworks Manufacturing Co. for its fireworks show in 2026. Due to a larger show celebrating the country’s 250th birthday and uncertainties related to tariffs, the contract amount of $57,200 is 22% more than it cost the city for the 2025 show.
Assistant City Manager Evan Miller reviewed the contract with commissioners during a meeting Nov. 21.
“We think it’s important to do something extra for the community, so we’re planning a larger show,” said Miller. “We’re planning on having a phenomenal show this year, and we’re really excited about that possibility.”
The city has been working with Zambelli for many years. Most recently, the city had a three-year contract for the 2023, 2024 and 2025 shows that began at $35,000 the first year and increased 12% each of the final two years.
Miller said there are two reasons for the 22% increase for the 2026 show – a larger show and a tariff surcharge.
Zambelli has seen its tariff rates change several times over the course of the past year, and it needs to build in a bit of a cushion, said Miller, adding the contract is only for one year because of the uncertainty related to tariffs.
The shell count will increase in the body of the program from 700 to 912 and from 780 to 990 during the finale.
Prior to the vote, Commissioner Mark Saunders asked about moving the firing zone from the beach out to the water. He said the firing zone is prime beach space.
Miller said the fire marshal has a lot of influence over where the city shoots its fireworks. Sometimes it boils down to how the beach is looking that day, he said. It’s also easier, safer and cheaper to shoot from the beach, he said.
The city has shot fireworks from the ocean in the past, but it wasn’t always a smooth process.
Mayor Stan Mills said he loves how pretty the fireworks look going off in the ocean because of the reflection, but ultimately the logistics are complicated and it’s cost prohibitive. The cost could double from the $40,000 it took to shoot from a barge 15 to 20 years ago, he said.
In the end, commissioners unanimously approved the contract. Rehoboth’s fireworks are slated for Sunday, July 5, 2026.
Chris Flood has been working for the Cape Gazette since early 2014. He currently covers Rehoboth Beach and Henlopen Acres, but has also covered Dewey Beach and the state government. He covers environmental stories, business stories and random stories on subjects he finds interesting, and he also writes a column called Choppin’ Wood that runs every other week. He’s a graduate of the University of Maine and the Landing School of Boat Building & Design.
