Pyrotecnico to light up the skies at Super Bowl

The fireworks company got the job a few weeks ago.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Some of that flash during the Super Bowl halftime show won't just be coming from the performing celebrities.
New Castle fireworks company Pyrotecnico will provide displays during the show that will feature P. Diddy, Nelly, Kid Rock, Janet Jackson and a yet-to-be-identified celebrity.
The company got the job about three weeks ago.
"Typically, we have a little bit more time, but we are used to working on short time frames," said Chris Mele, Pyrotecnico show producer.
Mele said a crew of 11 people arrived in Houston earlier this week and have been working closely with the performers to come up with individual fireworks displays.
They went through a full dress rehearsal at 11:30 p.m. Thursday.
"It was really successful," he said.
About the show
They are using close-proximity fireworks that will be shot from the stage and near a crowd of about 2,500 that will be standing on the field. The show will likely start around 8 p.m. Sunday.
Mele said the Super Bowl halftime show is probably the most well-known show the company has done, but Pyrotecnico regularly provides fireworks for National Football League games. The company does more than 2,000 fireworks shows each year.
The Houston Texans football team is a regular Pyrotecnico client, and their contact from the team put Mele in touch with MTV, which is producing the halftime show.
Mele said they met with MTV producers in September, but didn't get confirmation about Sunday's show until earlier this month.
Some of the fireworks to be used go by the names comets, mines, concussions and gerbs, he said.
Mele said he does know the name of the surprise performer, but he has been sworn to secrecy. The person will be singing with Janet Jackson, he said. It's not her brother, Michael, Mele added.
cioffi@vindy.com