County's Holiday Fireworks

North Augusta will no longer feature the area's only Labor Day fireworks show.

New this year, Columbia County is getting in on the action with its own show over Thurmond Lake, Lights Over the Lake, hitting the skies Monday night.

County Community Events Manager Stacie Adkins said that the festivities will be "strictly fireworks," rather than a full-fledged Labor Day event but that families that are already out on the water will be treated to a convenient batch of fireworks.

"I'm assuming most people will be at the lake anyway," she said, noting that she's unsure just how many people will turn out. "It's kind of the end of summer and the last time for them to be out enjoying it."

Boats are the preferred location for enjoying the pyrotechnics to avoid potentially crowded car parking. Adkins said everyone is welcome to drive to Wildwood Park and view the fireworks from a chair or blanket inside the park.

The entry fee inside Wildwood is $2 per car.

Columbia-based Noah's Pyrotechnics will put on the fireworks show, which is set to begin as the darkness sets in.

Adkins said the company has provided fireworks for Columbia County for more than 10 years, including for the most recent Memorial Day event.

"We don't know exactly what they'll be doing, but they never disappoint us," the community events manager said. "We usually just tell them we have this amount of money, do something great with it, and they do."

Last year, Columbia County officials had planned to hold a LakeFest, an all-day Labor Day festival complete with food and music.

A problem came when hurricanes passed through the region, forcing the cancellation of the event, officials said.

Adkins said part of the money allocated for the festival was used for a May fireworks display, and the rest is being put to use for Monday's show.

The plan next year is to reincarnate LakeFest - assuming the weather holds up.

"We'll cross our fingers and try the event again," Adkins said.

For directions to Wildwood Park for Monday's fireworks display or for more information on the event, visit Columbia County's official Web site at www.countycountyga.gov.