This July 4, an estimated crowd in excess of 1,500 gathered to take part in one of the longest-running traditions of Reynolds Lake Oconee – the community’s annual “Red, White and Boom!” Independence Day celebration.
Held on the rolling lakeside lawn behind the Great Waters Great Waters clubhouse, the event combined all the excitement of a modern amusement park with the relaxed atmosphere of an old-fashioned family picnic. Out on Lake Oconee, hundreds of patriotic revelers assembled a veritable armada of watercraft adorned with every manner of red, white and blue decorations.
“We’ve celebrated The Fourth at Great Waters with our kids for around 15 years,” commented one resident, while passing brightly-colored snow cones for a pair of wide-eyed toddlers. “Now our grandkids are here for the first time, so a whole new generation will get to make this their special tradition.”
The evening’s entertainment was headlined by the band “Bulletproof,” which played an upbeat selection of classic chart-toppers, inspiring many guests to dance. Classic lawn games, inflatable bouncers and a temporary tattoo station were favorite activities among the kids, while everyone enjoyed classic Fourth of July picnic fare, including corndogs, hamburgers and smoked turkey legs.
As the sun disappeared, a sense of anticipation began to grow among the skyward-facing crowd. Countless “ooh’s” and “aah’s” soon followed, as thousands of sparkling firework shells created a vibrant overhead symphony of light and sound. After more than 30 minutes of spectacular pyrotechnics, the show’s Grand Finale was signaled by a massive barrage of rapid-fire explosives that lit the area to near-daylight conditions and brought the cheering crowd to its feet.
Afterwards, one drowsy youngster being carried the short distance home by her father, lifted her head from his shoulder and asked, “Are there any more fireworks?”
He smiled and assured her, “Not tonight, but don’t worry -- we get to do it all again next year.”
