Can’t Miss Alabama: Fireworks, music and backyard grill-outs are Fourth of July staples
Vulcan Park and Museum will pay tribute to Birmingham with a surprise celebrating The World Games 2022. (Getty Images)
Enjoy the holiday weekend safely and responsibly.
Fire on the Water at Oak Mountain State Park
The city of Pelham will celebrate the nation’s birthday Sunday, July 3 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Oak Mountain State Park. Grab a good spot on the beach and enjoy the day in the park as you wait for the fireworks show to start. Festivities include food vendors, swimming and music. Fireworks start at 9 p.m. Gates open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. The event is rain or shine. For more information, call 205-620-2520.
Thunder on the Mountain at Vulcan Park and Museum
The state’s largest Fourth of July celebration will ignite the sky atop Red Mountain with an array of fireworks in honor of the nation’s birthday and The World Games celebration. Birmingham viewers can watch WBRC Fox6 for the live stream. Spectators can also listen to the soundtrack on iHeart media radio stations 102.5 The Bull, 103.1 The Vulcan, 103.7 The Q, 104.1 The Beat, Birmingham’s ALT 991, B106.5, 105 Hallelujah FM, Magic 96.5, News Radio 960 WERC, News Radio 105.5 WERC and La Jefa 98.3. Around 9 p.m., the first of more than 2,500 shells and effects will brighten Vulcan and the sky above him. A score featuring artists such as James Brown, Katy Perry and Neil Diamond will be expertly timed and choreographed to the colorful firework display, making it the biggest show Vulcan has put on to date. There will also be a selection of songs as a tribute to the city and a celebration of The World Games 2022 in Birmingham.
Spirit of America Festival at Point Mallard
The Spirit of America will celebrate America’s heritage and birthday on the Fourth of July. It is one of the largest free Independence Day celebrations in the state. The event offers family games, summertime field competitions, live stage entertainment, demonstrations, sports tournaments, food and craft vendors, fireworks, talent shows, the crowning of Miss Point Mallard and the presentation of the Audie Murphy Patriotism Award. The fun kicks off at noon and continues through 9 p.m. For more information, call 256-350-2028.
City of Alabaster Fireworks Show
Celebrate the Fourth of July in Alabaster on Saturday, July 2 at 6 p.m. with bounce houses, food trucks and games, including cornhole, badminton, bocce ball, lawn bowling and Crossnet. Events start at 6 p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m. Traffic will be able to enter and exit from Thompson Road to Thompson High School via Warrior Parkway until 8 p.m. Due to protocols and safety issues related to fireworks, the Warrior Parkway entrance and exit from Thompson Road will be closed from 8 p.m. until 30 minutes after the final fireworks show. Anyone arriving at 8 p.m. or later should enter from Kent Dairy Road.
Independence Day Street Party in Orange Beach
There will be family-friendly activities, a bubble zone, bounce houses, surf simulator, face painting ($10), camel rides ($5), rock wall, battle zone and DJ Silky spinning dance tunes. Lady Liberty and Uncle Sam will make an appearance. The night will end at the palm trees highlighted in patriotic colors and a grand fireworks show. The street party is at The Wharf July 4 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Main Street and Marlin Circle. Kids activities are 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., fireworks at 8:45 p.m. and the Spectra Laser Light Experience at 9 p.m.
Fourth of July at The Amp
Claim your spot on the grassy lawn at Lake Martin Amphitheater for a concert and one of the Southeast’s largest fireworks shows. Andrew Jannakos will take the stage at 8 p.m. and again after the fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Jannakos is known for being on season 16 of NBC’s “The Voice.” Bank Walkers will kick the event off around 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10.
Smith Lake Park fireworks and music festival
Smith Lake Park is celebrating its 50th anniversary Monday, July 4. Attendees will enjoy arts and crafts, food, music, fun and fireworks. The fireworks spectacular starts at 9 p.m. Admission is free. Follow the complete schedule here or call 256-739-2916.
Fourth of July at American Village
The Fourth of July means red, white and blue fun, music, games and more than 40 patriotic activities throughout the day at American Village. Festivities include encounters with patriots of the past, such as George and Martha Washington, John and Abigail Adams, Alexander and Eliza Hamilton, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Adams, the battle at Concord Bridge and fireworks at twilight’s last gleaming. Hands-on activities for children include a cornhole toss, hula hoops, Jenga, sidewalk chalk art and a farm animal petting area. An American artisan area will have handmade products for sale. Food trucks will be onsite. Gates open at 11 a.m. with programming offered from 11:30 a.m. through evening fireworks. Admission is $5. Veterans, active military and children ages 4 and younger are admitted free.
American Village offers family-friendly holiday entertainment for all. (contributed)
Celebrate Fourth of July weekend with OWA
Join the holiday extravaganza at OWA in Foley July 1-3, featuring live music, patriotic characters, fireworks and activities for all ages.
Events include:
Friday, July 1
- 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Kids activities at the Downtown OWA Splash Pad.
- 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Lawn activities on the OWA Island.
- 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. – DJ Patrick at the Downtown OWA Splash Pad.
Saturday, July 2
- 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Character photos with 360-degree photo booth.
- 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Kids activities at the Downtown OWA Splash Pad.
- 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Lawn activities on the OWA Island.
- 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. – Jesse Duncan on the OWA Island Stage.
- 8 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. – B Street Benny on the OWA Island Stage.
- 7 p.m. to 8:50 p.m. – 3D fireworks glasses distributed in Downtown OWA.
- 8:50 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Patriotic fireworks show.
Sunday, July 3
- 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Bangarang Peter on the OWA Island Stage.
- 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Kids activities at the Downtown OWA Splash Pad.
- 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Lawn activities on the OWA Island.
- 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. – Lisa & The E-Lusion on the OWA Island Stage.
- 8 p.m. – Island Movie Night featuring “The Sandlot” (1993, rated PG).
Hours and dates for all activities are subject to change. Learn more at visitowa.com.
Montgomery Freedom Rides Museum
The Freedom Rides Museum will host “The Green Book: Navigating Jim Crow America” July 2-31. The exhibit focuses on the annual Green Book travel guide that catered to Black travelers during the 20th century. The exhibit highlights Alabama businesses and homes listed in the Green Book and emphasizes how the Freedom Rides and Civil Rights Act changed how Black Americans traveled. The Ben Moore Hotel in Montgomery and the Gaston Motel in Birmingham are two remaining Green Book sites in Alabama. The museum is at 210 South Court St. in Montgomery.
The World Games 2022 Closing Ceremony
Tickets are available for the Closing Ceremony of The World Games 2022 (TWG2022). The Closing Ceremony will be Sunday, July 17 at Protective Stadium in Birmingham. The all-star celebration will feature Lionel Richie joined by Alabama, Jamey Johnson, Bo Bice, Taylor Hicks, Blind Boys of Alabama, Pastor Mike (McClure) Jr., Ruben Studdard, Yung Bleu and Martha Reeves. Serving as the grand finale of TWG 2022, “One World – One People: Celebrating Legacy, Achievement and Unity” will commemorate The Games with performances and the opportunity for athletes, fans and volunteers to bid farewell to Birmingham. The Closing Ceremony will climax with the ceremonial passing of The World Games flag to representatives of the 2025 host city, Chengdu, China. Buy tickets for the July 7 opening and July 17 closing here. Get tickets for each individual sport here. For more information about The World Games 2022, call 205-846-2500 or go to twg2022.com.
