Our History

One thing is certain, however, and that is the birth of the show many know and love today started with the passion of a man named Quintis “Jack” Whistler in 1940. At the time, the Peabody Chamber of Commerce offered Mr. Whistler $50 to oversee the celebration that was previously organized by the City. Mr. Whistler thanked them for their time and started to head towards the door. The question was raised by George Higgens, a druggist in Peabody, what Whistler would require to take on the celebration. His modest request, $100, over $1800 adjusted for inflation in 2020.

It was a steep price, but the Chamber agreed. Thus, Jack set forth to design a show that he claimed would be “The best fireworks show in the country.” He designed ground displays and purchased aerial fireworks that he believed would please the crowds. While the early shows were free, donations were accepted and the show continued to slowly grow with an extra $100 budgeted each year.

Mr. Whistler continued to provide an amazing fireworks display to crowds that grew in attendance each year. During Peabody’s 90th birthday celebration in 1961, crowd sizes were estimated to be in the 40,000 range. But it was Peabody’s centennial celebration that really set the stage for what the show is today. That year, as Whistler recalled in a family history book, “We think that was the greatest pyrotechnic show anywhere. We had set pieces and fired more than 200 aerial bombs.

This was the year that the now well-known grand finale, the “Battle of New Orleans.” Jack and other volunteers created an awing display of fireworks set to the music of Johnny Horton’s ballad of the same name. And Mr. Whistler fired it all himself, by hand, in just three minutes. The original was more than 4,000 shots, 12 nine-inch bombs, 50 ten ball candles, and 10 mortars.  A tradition was born that night, one that would help carry the show forward for years to come.

Jack continued to organize the annual event until 1982 when he passed the reins on to passionate volunteers to help see his grand show forward.

Today, the Peabody 4th of July Celebration Society is tasked with creating a safe, family-friendly show. Many individuals and families have poured their passion and love into the annual event to keep Whistler’s vision of creating a display that is “The best fireworks show in the country!” While the budget is slightly larger than that first $100 offered to Jack, we hold true to the tradition of creating a spectacular display using community donations, an all-volunteer crew, and a modest admission price.