The Carbon County Fair plans to punctuate its 25th anniversary this summer with a bang.

Its dazzling fireworks spectacular on Aug. 5 is set to receive a jolt courtesy of a Carbon County resident and veteran who owns his own fireworks business.

Joe Pachorkowsky, owner and operator of Pyro Joe, has been selected to shoot the display literally in the backyard of his youth where he lit his first firework.

Malinda Fox, fair president, said the fair’s board of directors are excited to have Pyro Joe ring in the fair’s 25th anniversary.

“The directors and the many volunteers are working hard to put together a great lineup for the 25th anniversary, and we have decided to choose Pyro Joe, the local fireworks technician, to put on our 25th anniversary celebration,” Fox said.

Pachorkowsky said it’s been over 40 years since he lit that very first firework.

“When I heard that the fairgrounds were moving, obviously the fair itself was special for us, I grew up in the Aquashicola valley,” Pachorkowsky said. “When I heard they were moving it, it all just fell together, we made a pitch, low and behold we got it.”

Known for his never-ending barrage of spectacular color and sound, Pachorkowsky played it close the vest so that not to give away too much of the surprise element.

“We have a lot of plans for the fair this year for the show and the elements,” he said. “It’s going to be lot more involved than it was the year before.”

Pachorkowsky has various trade affiliations such as the National Fireworks Association, Pennsylvania Pyrotechnics Artists, American Fireworks News and the International Independent Showmans Association, to name a few.

Joe and his wife Mary, of Franklin Township, are active in the community through the American Legion, Knights of Columbus, Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company and their yearly free open house to display the Pachorkowsky Family O-Scale Christmas Train Display.

The 25th annual Carbon County Fair will be held Aug. 5-10 at 3285 Little Gap Road, Palmerton.