By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

PELHAM— It’s quickly become a tradition in Pelham for residents to gather at Oak Mountain State Park July 3 to watch colorful fireworks burst over the lake.

In its third year, Pelham Mayor Gary Waters said this year’s Fire on the Water is bound to be the best one yet.

“Now that this is our third time, you know each time we’ve made it better, I believe this year it’s going to be even better,” Waters said in a June 3 interview.

Although July 3 lands on a Sunday this year, Waters said they decided to keep the date the same as previous years. The best part about it being the day before Independence Day, he added, is that it doesn’t interfere with Fourth of July plans.

Attendees can show up at 8 a.m. and stay until 10 p.m. with the firework show starting once it gets dark. Waters said there will be beer tents set up and the city is inviting multiple food trucks out to the event.

The city has also made an agreement with Pyro Shows for the firework show, which is a different company from previous years.

“I have no doubt in my mind they are going to put out one heck of a show,” Waters said of Pyro Shows. “I think it’s going to be phenomenal.”

Waters said the best place to view the fireworks is as close to the water as possible, because the water creates a mirror for the lights and bursts. To properly view the show, he said attendees have to be in the park.

As July gets closer, Waters said he and other leaders in the city are looking forward to seeing the turnout.

“I love it, because we hit a home run out of the park the first year,” Waters said. “We try not to mess with it. You stay with what works, and the Police Department always does a great job of getting people in and out.”