On July 3, 1776, Founding Father John Adams wrote his wife Abigail about how he felt Independence Day should be celebrated – as a day of “pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations.”
On July 3, the City of Villa Rica will once again celebrate Independence Day as Adams intended – especially with “illuminations,” the 18th century term for Fireworks.
The 17th annual Fireworks Display Extravaganza will light up the skies over the V-Plex, following a day of carnival-like fun and two musical acts. The event, which annually draws thousands of pyrotechnic fans from across the metro area, is free to attend, although vendors will be charging their own prices.
Longtime visitors to the V-Plex will know that parking is limited, but there will be places to park away from the venue, and fireworks will be visible for some distance around the park. VIP parking passes for the V-Plex are still available for purchase and pick up at Gold Dust Park, 646 Industrial Boulevard in Villa Rica.
Handicap and VIP parking will be available at Gate One, the V-Plex entrance marked by the park’s marquee sign. Regular parking will be through Gate Two, marked by the traffic signal at Mayor Humphries Drive.
The long-range weather forecast by The Weather Channel predicts scattered thunderstorms for Monday, July 3, with a 58% chance of rain and a predicted high of 90 degrees. The fireworks portion of the event is scheduled to go on after dark, rain or shine. The sun will set at 8:54 p.m.
The events at the V-Plex, located at 2200 South Carrollton Villa Rica Highway, will run from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. Prior to the show, there will be face painting, inflatable slides, helicopter rides and other fun activities. There will also be food vendors on site.
Two bands will present live music from the main stage of the venue, opening with Leah Belle Faser, a rising musical star and Georgia native.
Fraser, who is now based in Nashville, breaks down the walls of many music genres, but remains grounded in a unique sound seasoned with country, pop, rock, and folk influences. In 2020, Leah worked with Grammy-Award winning producer, Casey Wood, to release her debut album, Crossing Hermi’s Bridge.
Her music has been featured on Spotify’s New Music Nashville and Tidal’s Rising Country playlists and has been added to radio stations nationwide. Leah’s music videos have been on rotation on country cable outlets like The Country Network and featured on VEVO’s Incoming Country playlist and on CMT.com.
The main act will be The Platinum Band – high-energy variety dance band from Atlanta.
Formed in 2002, Platinum is an Atlanta-based high-energy variety dance band who say they can play anything. Led by band owner, Virginia Rece, Platinum has traveled the southeast and performed for hundreds of audiences.
According to its website, the band knows how to lay down a funky groove that keeps audiences dancing and singing from the first song to the last, and specializes in genres such as current Pop hits, 80’s Rock, Hip-hop/Rap, R&B/Soul, and Motown and so much more!
Sponsors of the fireworks show include Ingles supermarket, Gradick Sports, and the City of Villa Rica.
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Ken Denney
Public Information Officer
City of Villa Rica
678-840-1219
