Tuesday, June 24, 2008

4th of July Fireworks at Lake of the Ozarks

Everyone loves fireworks, but imagine a colorful and exciting fireworks show bursting over water. At Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks, visitors can celebrate the Fourth of July with a real bang and enjoy several on-the-water fireworks displays.

The excitement begins with Eldon Family Fun Day on Thursday, July 3, at the Eldon Air Park. "We're holding it on the third to avoid competing with activities at the Lake," says Sabrina Henson, court administrator and Fun Day volunteer. The annual event "keeps getting bigger every year," she adds. It includes a parade, kids' activities, music, skateboard demonstrations, dog show, washers tournament, Little Mr. and Miss Eldon pageants and, of course, fireworks. The show, run by the Eldon Fire Department, lasts 45 minutes to an hour and is synchronized to patriotic music. "It starts with the national anthem and ends with an amazing finale," Henson notes. "People come from all over to watch it."

Fireworks also will fill the sky over the Lake of the Ozarks on July 3 when the Horny Toad in Lake Ozark kicks off the10th anniversary of the "July Fourth Fireworks Celebration," says Lisa Larsen, director of marketing and events. "The holiday weekend will celebrate the grand opening of our new resort, The Resort & Yacht Club at Toad Cove," she adds. The gala weekend will begin with a concert starring Randy Travis on July 3 and wrap up with a concert by the Outlaws on July 6, with fireworks both nights, as well as on July 4-5. Presented by Pyro Technics of Richland, Mo., the displays usually last about 15 minutes. "They shoot the fireworks from a barge in the Lake," Larsen says. "It's a really good show."

Throughout the summer, Lake visitors also will enjoy a fireworks display after each show in the Horny Toad's Benefit Concert Series and on other occasions as well. Visit www.toadcove.com for more information.

On the Fourth of July itself, visitors to the Lake of the Ozarks can watch six fireworks shows – some simultaneously, depending on their location. The Lodge of Four Seasons at Lake Ozark will hold its annual "Fireworks on the Water" extravaganza, a Lake tradition for more than 20 years. The 20-to-30-minute show, by Fireworks Spectacular of Crestline, Kan., is different each year, says General Manager David Griffin. He adds The Lodge also has fireworks displays on Memorial Day and Labor Day. "But for the Fourth of July we go all out," he says. In addition to Lodge guests, the show attracts a large number of boaters. "It's wall-to-wall boats on the Lake, as far as the eye can see," Griffin notes.

Only hotel or dining guests may watch the fireworks on the property; however, a limited number of packages still are available for July 4-6. The $129 per room per night special includes poolside activities and barbecue, spa discounts, scenic cruises and more. "Fourth of July always is a lot of fun at The Lodge," Griffin says.

Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach also has presented an annual fireworks display for more than 20 years. On the Fourth, hotel guests will enjoy dinner in the Black Bear Lodge or Windrose restaurants before the fireworks and a dance afterward on the Arrowhead Deck. A DJ will provide the party music as well as patriotic tunes that will accompany the fireworks. Guests may view the fireworks from their rooms, the Arrowhead Deck or the sand beach. The show also brings out the boaters who fill the Lake's main channel, says General Manager Fred Dehner.

The 25-minute fireworks display is run by Pyrotechnico of Newcastle, Pa., which has put on the Tan-Tar-A event for the past 10 years, Dehner says. "With the fourth on a Friday, we're expecting a very strong weekend, not just here at Tan-Tar-A but at the Lake in general," he adds.

One of the Lake area's newer fireworks shows, Gravois Mills' annual "Fireworks Over the Water," also will be held on Friday, July 4, at the Gravois Mills public boat ramp. Mary B. Shipley, Gravois Mills' city clerk for "at least" 35 years, says, "We typically have a pretty big crowd. Considering we haven't been doing the show that long, I think it's been successful." The 30-minute display will be shot off from a barge in the Lake. Mike Backman, a licensed fireworks expert from Laurie will run the show again this year. Spectators usually park along Highway 5 or at the public boat ramp. "A lot of people come by boat to watch our show," Shipley says.

In Versailles, the police department will present its annual fireworks display in conjunction with the "Fourth of July Spectacular" at the Morgan County Fairgrounds. Sergeant Chad Hartman says the show lasts 15-25 minutes and includes both ground and sky displays. "The show attracts a lot of people from the surrounding areas," he says. "We try to build up our fireworks display every year and help promote the city too."

During the day, the Versailles Chamber of Commerce and City Hall will offer old-fashioned family fun including carnival games, a watermelon eating contest, barrel races and "who knows what else!" Hartman says. "With the cost of gas we want to help people stay local and spend some quality time without spending a lot of money on the Fourth of July." Visitors are encouraged to view the fireworks from the park or the high school parking lot.

Another great way to enjoy fireworks on the Lake is to take the "Fireworks Cruise" aboard the 80-foot Celebration, the Lake's largest and most luxurious climate-controlled motor yacht. This is the sixth year for the boat's Fourth of July cruise, says Capt. Mike Bouffiou. Passengers may board the Celebration at its Kirkwood Lodge dock around 7:00 p.m. for a 7:30 p.m. departure. "This year we'll head down the Lake to watch the fireworks at Tan-Tar-A," Bouffiou says. "We alternate each year with The Lodge of Four Seasons." Tickets will be $20 for adults, $10 for children under 12 and free for children age 3 and under. A cash bar and snacks will be available.

"This really is the best way to see the fireworks at the Lake with no obstructions and no worries about dodging other boats on the way back home," Bouffiou says. The Celebration will return to Kirkwood Lodge by 11:00 p.m. Although the yacht holds 140 passengers, the Fourth of July cruise always sells out fast, Bouffiou notes. Call 573-480-3212 or visit www.cruiselake.com for reservations.

Want more information about how to light up your Fourth of July with fireworks and fun at the Lake of the Ozarks? The Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau has all the details, plus the latest on Lake-area lodging, dining, shopping, golf, attractions, events and more. Call 800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253) or visit the Bureau's web site, www.funlake.com.