Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center Gearing up for July 4 Fireworks

6/20/2012

ATHENS, Texas—Preparations are under way for the annual Fourth of July fireworks show at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC). The show will last approximately one-half hour and is one of the biggest in East Texas.

The fireworks show is directed and produced by Alpha-Lee Enterprises, Inc., of Liverpool, Texas. The show is a Keep Athens Beautiful event.

TFFC will be open for regular visitation from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission for the fireworks show will start at 4 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to fish in the stocked casting pond while waiting for the fireworks, which will begin at dark. No license is required to fish, and bait and tackle are furnished for free. Fishing ends approximately one-half hour before the fireworks begin.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase, and people are encouraged to bring picnics. KCKL (FM 95.9) will broadcast patriotic music during the show.

Pets, alcohol, tobacco products and private fireworks, including “snap caps” and sparklers, are not allowed.

The fireworks show is sponsored and paid for by the City of Athens, local businesses and individuals.

Contributors include: City of Athens First State Bank Kim Hodges East Texas Radiological Consultants P.A., Harold Smitson, M.D. Charlie and Cindy Akin Athens Bank Citizens State Bank The Cain Foundation Athens Steel Building Corporation Lance and Kathryn Etcheverry Carol and Pat Wallace East Texas Medical Center Point Road. Persons using the overflow parking area may enter through Gate C, which is across the street from the parking area.

For more information or directions, call (903) 676-2277.

Athens Stephen and Karen Jones Ellen Key Lake Athens Property Owners Association Athens Marina David and Melinda Thomas Michael and Nan Clough Athens Bank/The First State Bank Dallas Bank of Texas/Tome & Becky Abbott Carol Barton Robert W. Bushnell Dalton Family Properties Bill and Carmen Hunt William Goodwin Bryon and Tamara Lichtenberg McCord Properties Mamie Stafford Sam and Karen Whitten Charles Span Melissa and Hillesheim Thad and Lisa Hardin Charles and Carletta Ramsey Nell and Neal Velvin Peggy and Bob Gould.

The event has become an area tradition, with many people dressing in red, white and blue in keeping with the holiday theme. Parking is available in the main TFFC parking lot and in an overflow parking area on Peninsula