By admin 
The night skies across the Midlands always burst into colors on and around the Fourth of July.
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That certainly will be the case this Independence Day weekend as the United States marks its 250th anniversary. There will undoubtedly be many who mark the occasion with fireworks.
For many people that might mean heading to Casey’s Fireworks in Columbia or to one of the many roadside stands that offer firecrackers this time of year. After all, there is a certain charm to an at-home celebration. (If you are shooting fireworks at home, please be careful.)
But there are many people who are content to leave the Independence Day fireworks to the pros. If you are interested in attending an event with fireworks, there are numerous organized celebrations that include them in the Columbia and Lexington area this weekend. What follows is a list of some of the highlights.
Independence Day Celebration at Icehouse Amphitheater (July 3)
Downtown Lexington is set for a major celebration to honor the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The town of Lexington’s annual Independence Day party will begin at 6 p.m. July 3 at the Icehouse Amphitheater with food trucks, face-painting, balloon animals and more.
There will be live music beginning at 7 p.m., and a fireworks show will be at 9:20 p.m.
Columbia Fireflies baseball games at Segra Park (July 3, 4 and 5)
America and baseball are intrinsically linked. On the coming Independence Day weekend, residents will have a chance to mingle the national pastime with dazzling fireworks shows.
The Columbia Fireflies, a Class A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, are set to host the Fredericksburg Nationals July 3, 4 and 5, with fireworks shows scheduled after each of those games. The July 3 game starts at 7:05 p.m., the July 4 contest starts at 6:05 p.m. and the July 5 game starts at 5:05 p.m.
Tickets are available at columbiafireflies.com or the Segra Park box office.
Lexington County Blowfish baseball games (July 3 and 4)
Baseball fans in Lexington County will feel the boom over the holiday weekend.
The Lexington County Blowfish, the Coastal Plain League team that plays at Lexington County Baseball Stadium on Ballpark Road, is set to have a pair of games with massive fireworks afterward. On July 3, the Blowfish will take on the Macon Bacon at 7:05, with fireworks to follow. Then, on July 4, the team will have a 7-inning intra-squad game against the Glowfish, with postgame fireworks.
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Tickets are available at goblowfishbaseball.com or at the box office at Lexington County Baseball Stadium.
Lake Murray Independence Day Celebration (July 4)
As ever, Lake Murray will host one of South Carolina’s largest fireworks blowouts for the Fourth of July.
The fireworks for the Lake Murray Independence Day Celebration are set to start at about 9:30 p.m. July 4. They will be launched from Spence Island and Dreher Island. Viewing options include from your boat on the waters of Lake Murray, from Dreher Island State Park, from Pine Island State Park (already sold out), or from the Lake Murray public parks on the Lexington and Irmo sides of the lake. Visit lakemurraycountry.com for viewing option pricing and other details.
The Lake Murray fireworks will be synched to patriotic music that can be heard on the night of the show on 93.1 FM The Lake and will be streamed on WISTV.com.
Lexington County Peach Festival in Gilbert (July 4)
Things will be “peachy” once again in Gilbert for Independence Day.
The annual Lexington County Peach Festival is set for July 4 at Gilbert Community Park. The event will include the Peach Parade at 9:30 a.m., as well as vendors, a car show and live music throughout the day.
At about 9:15 p.m. the event will close with a fireworks finale. Organizers say the fireworks will be visible from the open fields at Gilbert Community Park, Gilbert Middle School, and Gilbert Elementary School.
Fourth of July celebration at Fort Jackson (July 4)
One of the nation’s top U.S. Army training installations is set to celebrate Independence Day in style with a huge fireworks display and more.
Fort Jackson’s annual July 4 celebration will be open to the public. The gates to Hilton Field will open at 4 p.m. July 4, with food trucks, carnival rides and more set for the occasion. Live music will include performances from Steve Ray Ladson and the Army’s 282nd Band.
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Fireworks at Fort Jackson will start at about 9 p.m.