User:Kalolawahine

San Diego Fireworks Display Co. was founded, owned and operated by James J. Peluso in 1946.

Peluso was a maestro with matchsticks, orchestrating thundering fireworks displays which entertained millions of San Diegans during a 35-year career.

James Peluso was probably best known for firing the electronic cannon after San Diego Chargers and San Diego State University Aztec touchdowns. He was appointed as the official pyrotechnic master to perform Disneyland's 25th Anniversary fireworks celebration in 1980. He also staged numerous fireworks shows at holiday and sporting events throughout Southern California.

His displays brightened the sky at the openings of San Diego Stadium in 1967 and Fashion Valley shopping center as well as the Coronado Bay Bridge in 1969. He performed Opening Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day displays for the Padres (home runs) conjuring up sparkling images of the players with his fireworks.

He trained for his pyrotechnic craft from the age of 5, learning from his father in Pennsylvania. His grandfather, too, had been a pyrotechnician in his native Italy. Like them, Jim Peluso learned how to deftly pluck at the audience's emotions, building to a finale which left the crowd on its feet, cheering through the climactic explosions. James Peluso was an Army veteran of World War II and a member of the American Legion Post No. 6.

An average Peluso show included 130-160 aerial shells, but for the stadium opening he set off 320 within four minutes 