The Fourth of July weekend will come a bit early for Aiken County residents.
Atlantic Broadband is inviting families across the Aiken area to the Aiken Fairgrounds on Saturday, June 27, to celebrate the Fire Over Aiken fireworks show.
The fireworks display will be held at the Aiken Fairgrounds, 561 May Royal Drive, in partnership with the Western Carolina Fairgrounds.
Gates will open at 4 p.m. and the fireworks display will start around 9:15 p.m., lasting 15 to 20 minutes.
Entry to the fairgrounds and general parking is free to the public.
"We understand that (the fireworks show) had a long-time running in Aiken in the past years, but it had died off over recent years again," said Atlantic Broadband's Vice President and General Manager Sam McGill. "We think, certainly in part with last year and the enthusiasm we saw (and) the crowd we saw last year, that we really should think about renewing this annual event."
In addition to the fireworks display, there will be carnival rides, games, a variety of food concessions and a live concert.
Atlantic Broadband also plans to sell VIP tickets for $50 per person. That price includes private parking, bleachers to watch the fireworks, barbecue and adult beverages.
"For family and friends not skipping town for the holiday weekend, we will have a fireworks display here in Aiken," McGill said. "And our goal is to keep it free in parking and access to the fairgrounds so that people can come out and tailgate and enjoy the event."
Atlantic Broadband is still looking for additional sponsors, including a band sponsor for $5,000 and a tent sponsor for $2,500. Smaller event sponsorship packages for $250 also are available.
For more information on sponsorship packages and on helping with Fire Over Aiken, call Jenifer Granade at 803-641-2144, ext. 233.
Maayan Schechter is the local government reporter with Aiken Standard. Follow her on Twitter @MaayanSchechter.