The Melaleuca Freedom Celebration is the largest fireworks display west of the Mississippi River and one of the largest in the entire nation. The cost of the fireworks is completely paid for by Melaleuca: The Wellness Company, a privately owned household goods company headquartered in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Virtually no other large firework display is financed solely by a private organization.
According to the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA), which is the firework industry’s leading trade group and authority, the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration is a “must-see” event for fireworks spectators.
“Although the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration may be off the beaten path in Idaho Falls, Idaho,” said Julie Heckman, APA executive director, “it’s worth the effort to behold this remarkable, competition-caliber fireworks show. This is one of the nation’s largest fireworks displays.”
On July 11, the APA highlighted the 31st Annual Melaleuca Freedom Celebration on the APA’s Facebook page. The 2024 show featured more than 18,500 shells launched in 31 minutes over the banks of the Snake River.
The APA called the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration a “magnificent and patriotic display” and included a highlight video of the fireworks with the Facebook post.
Western Display Fireworks, which Melaleuca has partnered with for three decades, has been in business for 75 years and has fired off more than 10,000 shows. For more information on the fireworks, watch an exclusive interview with Tom Bates, one of Western Display Firework’s lead pyrotechnicians who was in charge of firing this year’s Melaleuca Freedom Celebration.
