HEBER SPRINGS — There’s no reason to wait until July 4 to celebrate America’s birthday — the Heber Springs Area Chamber of Commerce will kick off the party July 2 at Sandy Beach with the chamber’s Fireworks Extravaganza.
The annual event is a day of activities, food and live music, ending with a bang in one of the bigger fireworks shows in Arkansas, said Julie Murray, executive director of the chamber. Admission for the day is free, but parking is $10.
Food vendors will be set up on Sandy Beach at Greers Ferry Lake by 11 a.m.
“Something new we have this year — Sulphur Creek Outfitters here in town is doing an event they’re starting at 11 a.m. called Paddlemania,” Murray said.
It includes kayak races and a kayak tug-of-war contest in the lake.
Patty Cox, event and training coordinator for Sulphur Creek Outfitters, said adults can participate in one of three categories: ages
18-35 years old; 35 and older; and a tandem-canoe category. Prizes will be awarded to the top three contestants in each category, she said. To register, call the business at (501) 691-0138.
“And then we’re going to also have activities for kids on the beach,” she said. Cox said last week that she was still planning activities, such as a sand-castle-building contest and more.
Cox said attendees can see a paddleboard demonstration during the day, too.
“Paddleboards are something up and coming,” she said, adding that a couple of employees are “veterans” of the sport.
Frank Wimberley, owner of Sulphur Creek Outfitters, said he originally had the idea to do kayak races and demonstrations during the World Championship Cardboard Boat Races on July 30, but that day is “so packed with events” that the Fireworks Extravaganza is a better venue.
Music by the 106th Army Band Charlie Rock will start at 7:30 p.m., Murray said.
The fireworks show will
begin at 9:30 p.m. Murray said people can watch the fireworks by boat or from the shore. The display is choreographed to a music broadcast on KFFB 106.1 FM.
“From the beach is the best view of a fireworks show you will ever see,” Murray said. “You add to that the reflection of the fireworks in the lake — it’s one of the biggest fireworks shows in Arkansas — and sitting on the beach in one of the most beautiful places in Arkansas, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It was for me the first time I saw it.”
The event began in the 1980s, said Ricky Davis, owner of Sonic restaurants in Heber Springs and other locations. He said Dick and Patti Upton, owners of Aromatique in Heber Springs, started the fireworks show “just to give back to the community” and paid for it for several years.
“It was a big hit,” Davis said.
The Heber Springs Area Chamber of Commerce eventually took over the fireworks show, gathering donations to fund it, Davis said.
He got involved when in 1999, not enough money was collected to buy the fireworks, and he saw his business suffer, too. In 2000, Davis said he went to the Sonic executive board, of which he is a member, and asked if Sonic restaurants would donate $10,000 to restart the fireworks, and the board agreed. Davis said he promised to help oversee the event with the chamber, which he has done.
Davis said he also suggested getting sponsors for the event, not just soliciting donations. In 2000, he and other business owners in Heber Springs got commitments of $30,000 in just a day or two, he recalled.
“Some reports say 50,000 to 100,000 people come to Heber Springs to see that show, from boats or land,” he said.
Last year, the festivities had to be moved because of high water after excessive rain, but it’s smooth sailing this year, Murray said.
“All looks good; we don’t foresee any problems at all,” she said.
More information about the Fireworks Extravaganza is available by calling the chamber at (501) 362-2444, visiting www.heber-springs.com or following the chamber on Facebook.
Senior writer Tammy Keith can be reached at (501) 327-0370 or tkeith@arkansasonline.com.