City, county prepping major July 4th events

Published 5:00 am Saturday, June 23, 2018

Early plans for this year’s annual July 4th festivities in the Cullman area are shaping up with a pair of traditional fireworks celebrations — one in the City of Cullman; the other at Smith Lake.

Sponsored by Desperation Church and hosted by Cullman Parks and Recreation, Heritage Park will be busy throughout the July 4 holiday afternoon with activities and family-oriented games leading up to the church’s annual evening fireworks display.

The free-admission celebration on the grounds of Heritage Park begins at 4 p.m., with the fireworks set to go off as night falls. Vendors including Devil Dawgs, Steel City Pops, and Chick fil-A will be set up with food and refreshments, with additional sponsorship help from Patrick Drake Associates Allstate Agency, the Nelson, Bryan & Cross Law Firm, and Metal Central.

Making its annual return also is the Smith Lake Park Fireworks and Music Festival, which kicks off early in the day and doesn’t let up until the last burst of light has faded in the evening.

The Smith Lake festival will once again be jam-packed with vendors and activities, from arts and crafts, food, swimming, kayaking, live music to, of course, the fireworks themselves. The day also will feature the annual golf cart parade and other family-friendly contests, including miniature golf at the park’s newly-updated course.

The festival’s music begins at 9:30 a.m. with Justin Holt, and continues through the day with Terry Adams at 11 a.m., Crushing Atlas at 1 p.m., Clay Barker at 3:30 p.m., Trey Lewis at 5:30 p.m., and The Steel Woods from 7:30 to 9 p.m. ahead of the fireworks event.

Admission to the park grounds is $5 per person; additional costs apply for other fee-based activities (campsites, pool access, kayaks and canoes, paddle boards and golf. Contact the park at 256-739-2916 for additional information, or to reserve a cabin or campsite.