Event organizers are encouraging people to make plans to go to the Lock and Dam on July 1 for the annual Fireworks on the Water.
Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Nancy Carpenter said the event gates will open at 5 p.m.
The free show is presented by the city of Columbus, Lowndes County, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Columbus Air Force Base and Visit Columbus.
Carpenter said this year’s event is expected to cost about $50,000, which is fully supported by community sponsors. She said the event has sponsorship from more than 25 community entities and about 15 in-kind sponsors.
“It is taking the entire community to bring this together,” she said. “We are very grateful both for the monetary and community sponsors.”
CVB Sports Tourism Director Thomas Berkery, who is helping to organize Fireworks on the Water, said the event will feature country musician Danica Porz, of Nashville, Tennessee.
“We’re excited to have her perform,” he said. “She’ll go for anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half or so.”
Local band Swing Shift will also perform.
Fireworks will begin after dark.
Last year’s event drew about 10,000 people, and Berkery said organizers are expecting about the same number this year. About 350 parking spots have been added this year, which will make room for a total of about 3,000 cars. He said event organizers are working with local law enforcement agencies, as well as the Mississippi Highway Patrol, for safety planning, and that Mississippi Wildlife, Fishers and Parks and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers boats will be on the water for safety.
Berkery said CVB is encouraging people to carpool to the event.
Carpenter said event-goers are encouraged to bring folding chairs and blankets. People can set up on the Lock and Dam’s east or west banks, though events and vendors will be on the east bank.
She added that people can attend in boats, noting last year’s event saw about 100 boats on the water.
Though it’s been held in years prior, this year marks Fireworks in the Water’s fourth consecutive year. Carpenter said the event has grown into the community’s annual Fourth of July celebration and is also geared toward recognizing those who serve.
“It’s a community event to honor Columbus Air Force Base personnel and our first responders,” she said. “It’s our way of certainly enjoying and commemorating the birth of our nation, but at the same time we do this to memorialize the men and women of our armed forces.”
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
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