Details, Map, & faq

Everything you need to know

Quick Details

What: Independence Day Fireworks Show
When: 9:30 PM July 5th, 2025
Where: South End of Billy Goat Island
Music: Tune into 87.9 FM
Donate: Suggested $125 per family

Donate Here →

We organize an annual, 100% community-funded fireworks show on beautiful Lake Burton.

Each year we send out a letter to Lake Burton homeowners requesting one donation per family. We raise all the money in small donations and will never have any sponsors!

Rain Delay

Our rain delay policy is to delay the show up to one hour on Saturday night before postponing it until the following night. The setup, storage, and shooting crew issues make it impossible to go to the following Saturday night.

Safety

Please treat the lake as a NO WAKE ZONE during the evening of the fireworks show. That means idle. There’s nothing worse than some clown plowing down the lake, creating a huge wake—NOT even towing a skier—barely able to see over the bow. Spare us all.

Insurance

The company Pyrotecnico, Pittsburgh, PA is again our show producer. They are one of the largest producers of fireworks displays in the world. They are fully insured via a $10M general liability policy and have an excellent safety record.

Description

Our renowned fireworks show on beautiful Lake Burton, nestled in the North Georgia Mountains, has taken on a life of its own over the years. Stories have spread far and wide of the unique, boat-accessible Independence Day celebration. We couldn’t be more proud of what our generous donors on the lake have made into one of the largest fireworks shows in the state of Georgia. The fireworks echo throughout the surrounding mountains as viewers honk boat horns and whistle to celebrate all our nation has accomplished and continues to stand for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Independence Day Fireworks Show actually on the 4th of July?

Not necessarily. The show is always on a Saturday night close to the 4th, at 9:30PM off Billy Goat Island. We decide which Saturday from year to year.

When is the Independence Day Fireworks Show this year?

Scroll back to the top! The details for this year’s show can be found there.

What happens if it rains?

Our rain delay policy is to delay the show for up to 1 hour before postponing the show until the following evening. The setup, storage, and shooting crew issues make it very difficult to go to the following weekend.

Is there somewhere we can watch the Independence Day fireworks from land?

Unfortunately, there isn’t. There is no public parking lot or public property close to Billy Goat Island. The best way to view the show is by boat, or on one of the private boathouses within viewing distance.

How do we get to the Independence Day show?

SLOWLY. Please treat the lake as a NO WAKE ZONE during the evening of the fireworks show. Allow plenty of time to idle your boat toward Billy Goat Island until you find a suitable place to enjoy the fireworks show from the water.

Who pays for the Lake Burton Fireworks Shows?

Donations are made to “Lake Burton Fireworks” and come from several hundred homeowners, small business owners, and visitors around Lake Burton. There are no sponsors. It is 100% community funded. If you are going to attend, we would ask for you to Donate Here →

A lot of money is collected. How do I know how my donation was spent?

A third-party bookkeeper handles all accounting. All donors’ names are published. All income and expenses are published on our website and balances from the bank account are carried over from year to year. Every dollar is accounted for and only spent on fireworks and related expenses!

Do I need to make a separate donation for the Labor Day show?

No, just one annual donation at or above the suggested amount for each family usually covers our expenses for both shows.

Can I donate after the shows if I forgot?

Yes, of course. We accept donations throughout each calendar year!

How can I tell if my recurring donation was processed?

First, check the list of names on the donate page. If your recurring donation hasn’t posted yet, you can check the status by tapping the Donor Login link in the footer of the site and logging in using the email address associated with your recurring donation.

Is the LBCA involved?

No, Lake Burton Fireworks is (and has always been) run independently by Hal Rhoad and his son Clifton Rhoad without any sponsors or competing agendas. In fact, since 2020, we have been voluntarily providing a Summer Send-Off fireworks show over Labor Day weekend to complement the LBCA’s end of summer celebration.

Who actually purchases the fireworks and shoots the shows?

Lake Burton Fireworks purchases the fireworks and our show producer for the last decade plus has been Pyrotecnico, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are fully insured via a $10M general liability policy and have an excellent safety record. Pyrotecnico is nationally known for producing hundreds of fireworks shows across the USA. They choreograph the show, including the music, and hire the professionally trained crew to shoot it off.

How did the Independence Day show get started and who is behind it now?

The first 5 years of shows were actually a birthday celebration for the wife of long-time Lake Burton resident Mason Whitney, beginning in 1975. He asked a young Hal Rhoad to take over the summer spectacle and Hal raised the money, hired a professional pyrotechnic company in 1980, and turned it into an Independence Day celebration for the whole community. Hal has been the organizer ever since. Read Our Story Here →

And if you have any other questions, feel free to contact us.

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