Lake Sara Area Fireworks Display Tonight

The Good Neighbors of Lake Sara and law enforcement are ready for tonight's 28th annual Lake Sara fireworks display.

The fireworks program will begin at 9:05 pm. In case of inclement weather, the fireworks will be held on Friday, July 11th.

According to Fireworks Chairperson Tracy Burton, "We're really looking forward to having a huge crowd at this year's fireworks! We've added some special feature fireworks and more activities at the beach. Whether you enjoy the show from the beach or from the lake . . . this is the fireworks display to see this year to celebrate our country's independence."

The fun starts on the Lake Sara Beach in the early evening. The Effingham County Dive and Rescue Team will have a food stand and Culver's will be selling frozen custard to benefit the Dive Team. The Masonic Child Identification Program (CHIP) will be set up to provide parents the opportunity to create a kit of identifying materials for their child, free of charge. The kit contains a fingerprint card, a physical description, a video, computer disk, or DVD of the child, a dental imprint, and a DNA sample. The purpose of the kit is to provide critical information to the public and to law enforcement in the event that a child goes missing. The program has been lauded by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Beginning at 8 pm, Barbed Wire 'n Roses featuring Nicole Shoffstall will be performing music from the baby boomer, and Gen X eras, and a sprinkling of newer music.

Mitch Hulskotter with Music Machine DJ Service will be providing music before and during the display, and as he told us Saturday morning, he's "bringing some amazing '80's out" to the lake.

Glen "Lip" Lewis will play the national anthem prior to the annual fireworks display.

Officials also ask that for the safety of those in the crowd, please do not bring personal fireworks, to the fireworks.

The best way to see the fireworks is from a boat on Lake Sara. Terry Trueblood, Commander of the Effingham County Dive and Rescue Team, shares the following tips for safe water viewing:

-Check out your boat's navigation lights BEFORE July 5th. Your boat must have a white light (stern) and red and green lights (aft).

-Be sure your battery is good and fully charged

-Be sure you have current EWA and Illinois DNR stickers on your boat

-Follow the post-dusk speed limit of 10 mph.

-Ensure that you have a life jacket for each passenger and that everyone under the age of 13 is wearing their life jacket

-Avoid overloading your boat

-Designate a driver if you plan to have alcohol on your boat

-Respect the safety perimeter that the Effingham Water Authority (EWA) and Dive Team boats will be patrolling

A note too, that both EWA and DNR police will be patrolling the waters before, during and after the fireworks.

To observe the fireworks from land, come to the Lake Sara Beach at the end of Beach Road. To avoid traffic congestion and to keep a safety corridor, there will be no parking allowed on either Beach Road or Moccasin Road. There is plenty of parking available near the beach.

Following the fireworks please be patient as the parking lots are emptied in an orderly fashion. If you plan to see the fireworks from the dam area, please note that there will be no parking allowed on the dam or in the spillway area before, during, or after the fireworks.

The Lake Sara Fireworks are the single largest event held in Effingham County each year. This event is paid for by private and business donations. Members of the Good Neighbors of Lake Sara will be collecting donations at the entrance to the parking lots at the beach.