Next Level Integration: 2,500 Drone + Pyrotechnic Show Wows at PGI 2025
August 2025 - An enormous fire-breathing and pyro-spitting dragon starred as the final boss in "Quest", the hybrid pyrotechnic/drone show and headlining Sunday evening display at the Pyrotechnics Guild International 2025 Convention in Boone, Iowa.
The show was a fusion of 2,300 LED drones, 200 pyro drones, fireworks, exhibition shells, flames, music, and an enormous fireball finale that delighted thousands of PGI members and the public audience.
Told from the perspective of a video game player adventuring through multiple levels of daunting obstacles and bosses, "Quest" featured several notable artistic contributions:
- Over a dozen show provider companies in Verge Aeroās partner network provided drones and on-site assistance.
- A majority of the pyrotechnics were expertly choreographed and executed by Rozzi Famous Fireworks.
- Jim Widmann, Guinness World Record holder for the largest aerial firework shell, personally contributed multiple 10- and 12-inch handmade shells featured throughout the show.
- Bill Corbett of the āFireball Dudesā closed the show with his signature āSupernukeā fireball, featuring nearly 600 gallons of gasoline and special firework effects.
- 36 lampares (an aerial pyrotechnic effect of a sudden fireball in the air) burst at key moments, provided by RKM Fireworks and Craig Heatherington.
- 20 Flame Machines produced a fiery ground effect, provided and managed by Astro Magic FX.
- A 5-inch, 29-break shell of shells provided by Santore.
"Quest" is the third massive multimedia display the Powered by Verge network has brought to the annual PGI convention.
Verge Aero's viral fireball-shooting robot head presented at PGI in 2023 has become a widely recognized symbol of the artistic possibilities of combining drones with pyrotechnics.
"I personally think this type of integration is the future of entertainment." Verge Aero pilot and director of customer success, Joel Robinson, said hours before the show took flight. "Weāre putting drones, fireworks, and special effects into this beautifully choreographed show to showcase how all these mediums can come together to make the best spectacular possible."
Verge Aero would like to recognize and thank the following Powered by Verge partners for their contributions to this magnificent display:
- Rozzi Famous Fireworks
- Brightwave FX
- Cape May Aerial Advertising
- Fantasy Drone Shows
- Skylights Drone Show
- Open Sky Drone Light Shows
- Flylight Drone Shows
- Big Sky Droneworks
- Northern Lights Drone Shows
- Sky Harmony
- Nite Brite Drone Shows
- Vegas Drones
- Orion Skys Drones
Special thanks to:
- Pyrotechnics Guild International
- Connecticut Pyrotechnic Manufacturing
- Fireball Dudes
- Astro Magic FX
- RKM Fireworks
Further Reading: Drone Technology Experts form Safety Task Group