CULLMAN, Ala. – For years, Smith Lake Park has played host to a popular Fourth of July celebration. This year, the cost to enter will be $5 per person, or $20 per car.
Smith Lake Park has traditionally charged admission of around $5 per attendee, until 2022, when the Cullman County Commission voted to make the show free in celebration of the park’s 50th anniversary. In 2023, the park attempted to charge admission once more; however, because the event was free the year prior, guests were frustrated and the park refunded all tickets and opened the event free of charge.
New Cullman County Parks and Recreation Director Kenneth Cornelius said a free event isn’t possible this year, due to the scale of the show.
“The main reason for charging is the cost. Just the fireworks show is $37,000 this year. In just 2019 it was $25,000,” shared Cornelius.
The Cullman County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) will be responsible for traffic control following the fireworks show. The large celebratory event is a crowd pleaser year after year, often with thousands in attendance. With a projected crowd of that size, the CCSO is prepared with traffic plans to ease the gridlock around the park.
Once the fireworks begin, County Road 385 and all park entrances will be closed completely to incoming traffic until the show has concluded. After the fireworks display has ended, CCSO officers will be on-site to direct traffic at the park’s entrances and exits, as well as County Road 385 and County Road 386.
For those inside the park, the CCSO will use the old park entrance road to allow guests to exit the park. Spectators parked near the boat ramp and beach area will exit toward County Road 813.
When turning off County Road 385 onto County Road 813, the CCSO asks drivers to remember that left-lane traffic must turn left toward Trimble; right-lane traffic must turn right toward Good Hope.
Smith Lake Park is located at 403 County Road 386. The 4th of July Fireworks Festival begins at 9 a.m. and will culminate in an over-the-top fireworks show at dark.
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