The feast of the patron Saint of Zurrieq, St. Catherine of Alexandria sees its originating roots about 600 years ago when the village of Qrendi was also part of Zurrieq. In these early years, the feast consisted mainly of liturgical functions held in the Parish Church.  The feast was held every year on the 25th of November.

With the passing of years, the feast of St. Catherine continued to evolve and celebrations were held even outside the church.  The main celebrations reached their climax in the village square.  As from 1673, fireworks became an integral part of the feast of St. Catherine of Alexandria celebrated in Zurrieq. From records we find that people in charge of the feast, il-prokuraturi, hired the petards, at that time known as maskli for the feast. In 1720, we find that fireworks for the feast of St. Catherine did not consist only of  the above mentioned petards, but the prokuraturi bought also two dozens of sufarelli d’aria as well as bombi and kanni, which are other types of fireworks used at that time. In 1745 we find the first record of a Catherine Wheels display during the Titular Feast.  They mainly consisted of Catherine Wheels and fire fountains which produced a colourful display for the spectators. Even way back in 1745, the display was held on the eve of the feast.

Up to 1831, fireworks were the main attraction in the activities held outside the church and these were bought from people outside Zurrieq. In 1832 the fireworks started being produced by Zurrieq people. As we can see from records dated 1824, fireworks for the Titular Feast of St. Catherine now included also rockets, razzi d’aria and in 1878, we find also the production of murtali tal-bomba.

In 1864, the St. Catherine Musical Society was founded in Zurrieq, and as time passed, people who formed part of this Society were also involved in the manufacturing of fireworks in small, private rooms scattered in the countryside around Zurrieq. On the 28th November 1965, the St. Catherine Musical Society acquired a piece of land in the limits of Hal Far in order to build a suitable complex for the manufacturing of fireworks.  As time passed, fireworks manufacturing became more demanding so the St. Catherine Musical Society acquired another piece of land in the limits of Wied Fulija and in 1986, the new St. Catherine Fireworks Factory was inaugurated. Recently the St. Catherine Musical Society of Zurrieq participated in various fireworks festivals.  During these last two editions (i.e. in 2009 and 2010), the entries of the St. Catherine Fireworks Factory were voted as the Best Display according to the Public Opinion.

Throughout the years, the St. Catherine Musical Society always excelled both in the aerial and ground fireworks displays and a lot of people visit this feast every year, on the first week of September, in order to enjoy the original displays prepared with such dedication and professionalism by the members of the St. Catherine Musical Society. In order to view more attractive pictures as well as videos of the displays offered by our Society in the recent years, one can visit our official website: www.stcatherineband.org.mt.