Winco Fireworks firefly

Fireworks company launches high-tech product

A Prairie Village fireworks company has a new, high-tech product that will light up summer celebrations.

Winco Fireworks has released FireFly, which will allow users to create a fireworks show from a cellphone or tablet. It will be available at Winco locations nationwide for the 2018 fireworks season as well as online.

“This is the first time that a new product will totally revolutionize the way we enjoy fireworks,” said Michael Collar, president of Winco, one of the largest fireworks distributors in the country and the only U.S. distributor of Black Cat Fireworks.

FireFly was invented by Kevin Wu, a 28-year-old who grew up in Hong Kong. It allows users to create a fireworks show — including accompanying music — from a Bluetooth-enabled device. It is compatible with both Android and Apple technology. FireFly also provides a safer experience for consumers, who can launch fireworks from up to 50 feet away.

The app is loaded with pre-designed fireworks shows, or users can create their own display. Each FireFly unit can launch up to 15 fireworks, and up to six units can be connected. Each unit retails at $199.99.

Winco Fireworks, which launched in 1964 in Pittsburg, Kan., as a 60-foot firework stand, is now a national distributor and a member of the American Pyrotechnics Association.