Hopefully, you are all enjoying our beautiful summer weather out on the lake, hanging out with friends and family, and getting to know new friends. The summer is a great time for raft-ups, beach picnics, watersports, and morning “coffee floats.”
One of my favorite summer outings every year is anchoring out on the lake for Fourth of July fireworks displays. Fireworks events are plentiful on most of our area lakes and are always well attended. The experience of seeing all the other boats lit up at anchor as the sun sets is almost as much fun for me as the fireworks themselves. On Keowee, fireworks will be on the 3rd and 4th of July. You’ll find a partial list of events and locations below.
If you decide to try the lake for the 4th this year, here are a few things I’ve learned about the process that I’ll share.
- Once you’ve selected your event location, leave some time before the event to travel to the site, anchor, and get set up. Since these events are popular, it’s a good idea to safely anchor before the show.
- I typically use two anchors for these events. (a “fluke” type anchor off the bow and a “box” anchor off the stern.) this method prevents typical anchor pivot and allows more boats to enjoy a good view of the show.
- If you are going to captain your boat for this outing, check that your navigation lights are in good working order a few days before the 4th.
- After the show is over, take your time! It takes a while for a cluster of vessels to safely get underway after being at anchor in close proximity.
- Night boating is a unique and fun experience--but should be done only at the best safe speed for conditions-know that getting back to port will take longer, but enjoy the cool evening air on your slow ride home.
- Some captains have vessels equipped with docking lights. These should only be used for docking. When docking lights are used as “headlights” while underway, they blind the captains of other boats and create unsafe conditions.
- Alcohol is an integral component of celebrations, but I strongly recommend that captains don’t enjoy alcohol until they have returned to port.
Local Celebrations
The Cabana on Lake Keowee (Seneca), July 3rd - The Lighthouse and Cabana will host their 3rd annual Fireworks extravaganza at dusk on July 3. They will open at 11 am, and the last seating at the Lighthouse will be at 7:30 pm (the kitchen closes at 8 pm). The Cabana bar will remain open during the Fireworks celebration.
Salem - July 4, 6 p.m. The Town of Salem will have a Fireworks Celebration at Eagle Ridge Charter School Ball Field. Bring blankets and chairs. Local churches are providing food. There will be a car and tractor show, but there will also be free games. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m., and parking is free!
Seneca Celebration - Tuesday, July 4, 2 p.m. Free, family fun festivities await at this Independence Day celebration at Gignilliat Field. There will be free waterslides, food, drinks, and live music from Departure, a Journey tribute band. At 8 p.m., the US Coast Guard Choir will perform the National Anthem. Award-winning fireworks will light the sky at dusk.
Walhalla Independence Fest, Downtown Walhalla, Saturday, July 2-Tuesday, July 4 This three-day fest will feature a carnival, a water sprinkler, a live DJ, a bike and golf parade, and a Merchant's Market. Event times and dates vary, so please visit here for more information.
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