The annual Independence Day fireworks show in Jefferson County will take place on Friday, July 3 at Sam Michael’s Park. The gates open at 2 p.m. with fireworks scheduled to light the skies at dark.

This year the event will once again include food vendors and business vendors. Live music will be featured on the stage beginning at approximately 6 p.m. following the posting of the colors by the Bolivar-Harpers Ferry District Veterans.

Entertainers this year include lead off singer, Just a Snade. Vocalist and guitar player Andrew McGuigan plays a variety of covers and folk base music. He return for his second year at the Independence Day event.

Following the Just a Snade is return artist Joe Ham, who continues to donate his time and talent to the county’s event. Ham writes his own songs reflecting on life in Jefferson County. Making people laugh is his motivation although he does offer a serious side. He describes his music as bluesy bluegrass with a shot of country and a twist of folk.

Returning after several years is Todd Brooks, a solo guitarist/singer/DJ from Harpers Ferry. He performs a wide variety of covers from Elvis, Michael Jackson, Luke Bryan, Oasis, Eagles and John Cougar, all the way to Bon Jovi and Shinedown, as well as the many artists in between.

Visitors to Sam Michael’s Park the day of the event will also be able to peruse the many vendors who are setting up this year. Included in the ‘Business Alley’ are the Blue Ridge Toy Company, Typperware, Younique makeup, Scentsy, Plexus, MD Volt (showing off electric cars), Jefferson High’s baseball team and more.

Picnics are welcome but be reminded that no alcohol is permitted in the park. No glass containers or pets are allowed the day of the event. Jefferson County Sheriff Reserve units will be on site to assist with these simple rules as well as provide assistance to the sheriff’s department.

For those who do not wish to bring food with them, food vendors will offer a variety of taste treats from sandwiches, hot dogs and potatoes to ice cream and funnel cakes.

Event-goers may commemorate their attendance by purchasing a specially-designed t-shirt on site from Artisan Grafix who will be making the shirts on site. A portion of each sale will help fund the event which costs approximately $23,000.

The spectacular fireworks display will once again be provided by Digital Lightning, a world-renown lighting and pyrotechnic company located in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The approximately 20-minute show features mortars to 12″ ranging in height from 100′ to over 1,000′ and will include an assortment of florals, palms, flying fish, salutes, stars and color bursts. The grand finale promises more than 700 shells, increasing salutes, intense light and sound that will wow the crowd.

While the event is free and open to the public, donations to help fund the event will be solicited at the gate. For more information, or to make a donation, contact Toni Milbourne at 304-702-3026.