Desperation Church sets July 4 fireworks show

Published 1:30 pm Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Local July 4th celebrants won’t lack for things to do in Cullman when this year’s holiday rolls around, thanks to the addition of yet another fireworks event to the calendar.

Desperation Church will host its annual fireworks festival Wednesday, July 4 at Heritage Park in Cullman, partnering with Cullman Parks and Recreation for an admission-free, family-friendly celebration. Beginning at 4 p.m., the event will bring food vendors Devil Dawgs, Steel City Pops, and Chick fil-A onto the grounds, with sponsorship help from Patrick Drake Associates Allstate Agency, the Nelson, Bryan & Cross Law Firm, and Metal Central.

Desperation also will hold its annual Global Serve Day on July 14, partnering with hundreds of ARC Churches worldwide to serve their local communities by getting involved in hands-on improvement efforts. Last year, hundreds of Desperation volunteers took part in the program, which targeted areas for improvement in communities throughout North Alabama including Winfield, Jasper, Arab, and Cullman.

Also returning is the Smith Lake Park Fireworks and Music Festival, which kicks off early on Wednesday, July 4th, 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 putt-putt 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.

Benjamin Bullard can be reached at 256-734-2131 ext. 145.