Albany Independence Day Celebration will be a blast

ALBANY — The tradition of 4th of July fireworks dates back nearly 250 years, but even tradition can benefit from some new twists. That’s what local organizers promise for Tuesday’s Independence Day Celebrations & Fireworks finale.

“Dale Henry has been doing our fireworks for 20 years,” Albany Recreation and Parks Director Steven Belk said. “He did share with me that he has some new fireworks we have not seen. It’s so tight-lipped, he wouldn’t even share with me, so you’ve got to just come see it.”

The city is set to light up the sky at 9:30 p.m. with fireworks stationed at the Broad Avenue bridge.

The celebration starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Veterans Amphitheater, where three musical acts will perform. DJ Planet X will lead the festivities.

Nearly every department within city government is playing a role in putting on the annual show.

“We’re just asking people to come out and really have a good time,” Belk said. “We are very excited about it. We are definitely looking forward to working in conjunction with all the other departments.”

The director said he was not sure how long the city’s celebration has been held, but it has been at least five decades and has been held in various locations over the years, including the Hilsman Park “lime sink,” Hugh Mills Stadium and the Albany Exchange Club Fairgrounds.

“I know I’ve been attending this event for 53 years,” Belk said. “Regardless of the location, it’s had the same effect: People are waiting on the 4th of July to come out.”

The massive fireworks extravaganza isn’t just for Albany and Dougherty County, either. It brings in people from surrounding counties and beyond and is the big ticket for the big day.

Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany holds a pre-holiday event each year, and on the 4th the other regional show is in Thomasville, where the airborne explosions launch at around 9 p.m. at Remington Park.

All of those out-of-town visitors, some who visit local residents and stay in Albany hotels, help boost the economy for the day, Belk said.

“I would say it’s a regional event,” he said. “It not only benefits the city; restaurants benefit, hotels. It impacts the economy as well.

“We want you to enjoy our events, our hotels, and we just want you to enjoy our ‘Good Life City.’ If you have too much fun, don’t blame us.”

While the city’s events will be centered around the amphitheater for much of the day, other parts of downtown also are expected to be bustling with activity.

“We expect thousands of people to be in the downtown area,” Albany Downtown Manager Lequrica Gaskins said. “Some of the businesses will be open, so we encourage people to support those businesses.

“The Grille House does a great job. She will be open. People can come to Kingcorn Gourmet Popcorn. The businesses that have traditionally been there will be open for sure.”

Tuesday is expected to bring sweltering temperatures, so those locations also will offer the opportunity to step into some conditioned air for a respite as well.

“This will be an opportunity for people to come down to Cool Scoops to cool down,” Gaskins said. “Take advantage of getting cooled down during this part of the day. Cornerstone Coffee will be open.

“Downtowns are the (center) of any community, so we just want everyone to enjoy the downtown center and have fun. We invite everybody to come downtown and have a good time.”

Providing musical entertainment during the day are the Ranch Hands, Essence Band and Unbreakable Bloodline.

“It’s going to be an opportunity for us to have live entertainment,” Gaskins said. “It’s an opportunity for us to gather and enjoy a great fireworks show. Expect it to be a little different. As I understand it, they have some special tricks and treats in store for us, so I’m excited.”

File PhotoFile Photo: Tara Fletcher