Thunder Over Thurmond will light up the lake Sat.

"Thunder Over Thurmond's" fireworks extravaganza is set for Saturday, July 5, beginning at 9:30 p.m. The annual Independence Day celebration is sponsored by the governments of Lincoln County and McCormick County to promote the two counties and their greatest common asset, Clark's Hill Lake. Photo by Larry Gleason.

Dazzling streaks of color will once again blaze across the sky when "Thunder Over Thurmond's" fireworks extravaganza gets underway at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 5.

The annual Independence Day celebration is sponsored by the governments of Lincoln County and McCormick County in order to promote the two counties and their greatest common asset, Clark's Hill Lake.

During the $25,000 fireworks show, Melrose Pyrotechnics of Rock Hill, South Carolina, will explode numerous shells over the lake including:

.. Hearts with white strobe rings that blink off and on.

.. Smiley faces.

.. Stars.

.. Different colors of crossette shells, designed to "break" twice over the lake.

.. Brocade and silver crowns. .. Sunflowers. .. Saturn rings. .. Golden willow shells.

.. White strobe waterfalls.

.. Large shells that will break and cascade to cover the entire sky.

According to Scott Donahue, an event producer for Melrose Pyrotechnics, "We are planning a very large and intense finale, with an assortment of peonies, chrysanthemums, and three-inch titanium 'salute' shells. The sky will be covered with a variety of dazzling colors."

The salute shells, which do nothing but "boom," will help accentuate the thunder in Thunder Over Thurmond.

In other comments, Donahue said, "Hopefully, everybody will be happy with what we provide. We did the show here a couple of years ago and received rave reviews. We're looking forward to coming back and putting on another great display."

Melrose Pyrotechnics has produced fireworks displays for a variety of fairs, festivals, and Independence Day celebrations in Michigan; Florida; Wisconsin; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Texas; Illinois; Alabama; Tennessee; Indiana; and North Carolina.

The company's client list includes: the Chicago White Sox, the Chicago Bulls, the Atlanta Braves, the Atlanta Falcons, the Florida State Seminoles, Paramount's Carowinds Theme Park, the Allstate Insurance Company, the Carolina Panthers, NASCAR, and the LPGA.

The 25-minute show will be orchestrated from a launching site just south of the Savannah River Bridge. It takes from eight to 10 hours or even longer to set up a show of this nature.

Weather permitting, spectators will be able to see the fireworks from several miles away. Suggested viewing sites for the fireworks include Elijah Clark State Park, Soap Creek Marina and Restaurant, Hickory Knob State Park, the Plum Branch Yacht Club, and of course, the lake.

For those who like a little patriotic music, a sound track will be broadcast, in synch with the fireworks, from the stage at the Savannah Lakes Resort on the McCormick side of the river.

The cover charge is $10 per person, with children 12 and under admitted free of charge.

The celebration, with is set to begin at 6 p.m., will feature two bands, Fabulous Expressions and the Brasstyme Band.

For more information about Thunder Over Thurmond, contact the Lincolnton-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce at 706-359- 7970.