For the first time since 2017, Fireworks on the Water is returning to Columbus on Friday.
The Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau and Columbus Cultural Heritage Foundation are partnering with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Columbus Air Force Base, the City of Columbus and Lowndes County, among others.
The show, the primary Independence Day firework display in Columbus, will take place at the Stennis Lock and Dam on Wilkins-Wise Road. Gates will open at 5 p.m., and the fireworks will begin at dusk.
Though the event is a celebration of the nation’s birth, CVB executive director Nancy Carpenter said it also honors those serving or who have served in the United States military.
“This is the way that we honor the military, and certainly here at Columbus Air Force Base, but our active duty military and retired military,” Carpenter said. “It’s such an honor to have them located here in Columbus. Our wing commander, Col. Seth Graham, will be moving on to a different base in July, so it’s a wonderful send-off to him as well. We’re looking forward to having a great day and evening out at the (U.S. Army Corp of Engineers) property at the Lock and Dam.”
Carpenter is expecting 9,000 people to make their way out to the east bank of the dam for the show.
Entry and activities will be free, but there will be an opportunity to purchase things such as glow stick necklaces, Carpenter said. There will be free activities for children like bounce house and face painting. Attendees are welcome to bring picnics with their own food and drinks, but there will also be food and drink vendors such as Chick-fil-A, CJ’s Pizza, Taco Amigo, Yardbird Bento and Snowie Cool Treats.
Those planning on going are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. There will also be free entertainment from Mississippi Delta artist Eden Brent, the Mississippi State University Graduate Choir, and Mississippi native Jamell Richardson.
All of the activities will take place on the east bank, and when the fireworks begin, they will come from the west bank. There will also be a special flyover consisting of four T-6 Texan IIs from the 37th Flying Training Squadron at Columbus AFB.
“We’ll have a flyover of T-6s from Columbus Air Force Base,” Carpenter said. “We’re thrilled that we’re going to be allowed to have that flyover take place.”
Law enforcement, as well as fire and rescue, has been meeting for months to prepare for the event, and there will be safety precautions in place for attendees. Carpenter said there will be Columbus Police Department officers, Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office deputies, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks conservation officers and firefighters from Columbus Fire and Rescue present to assist.
There will be metal detectors at each entrance that all attendees will have to pass through before being allowed entrance and the law enforcement K-9 units will be active and patrolling the event area.
Mayor Keith Gaskin will make special remarks for the celebration, and this is his first Fireworks on the Water as the mayor of Columbus. He said he is looking forward to the community coming together as one to enjoy the event.
“I think these types of events are what can really bring a community together, and it’s been several years now since we’ve been able to have an event like this in Columbus,” Gaskin said. “I’m excited that this will give us an opportunity again to gather as a community and celebrate the things that make our city, state and country great. … I want to commend all of the community volunteers that are putting it together, because it’s not easy.”
The total cost of the celebration is about $80,000, and Carpenter said fundraising is going well with monetary and in-kind donations from many area businesses and individuals. The cost comes from things such as safety measures, a larger stage and the performers.
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