Jul. 3—A kaleidoscope of colors will soon light up the skies as Haywood County kicks off its spectacular three-night fireworks extravaganza.
As the first sparks fly Wednesday, July 3, residents and visitors alike can gather under the stars and witness the shows at breathtaking vantage points — whether it be above the rolling hills of Maggie Valley, the town of Canton, or twinkling above the dam and in the water’s reflection at Lake Junaluska.
“‘I’m not aware of any other county that has three communities that produce three concurrent nights of fireworks around the Fourth of July, and that certainly makes what we have to offer here in Haywood County special — and they’re all, of course, free and open to the public,” said Corrina Ruffieux, executive director of Haywood’s Tourism Development Authority.
The three fireworks displays collectively total $59,000. Tourism grants pay about half for Maggie and Lake Junaluska displays, with Champion Credit Union wholly covering the cost in Canton.
“When people come to visit, we want them to stay as long as they can. And definitely having three nights of fireworks makes a more compelling reason,” said Ken Howle, executive director at Lake Junaluska. “Seeing people come together and enjoying the experience with each other, that’s always just a beautiful thing to see.”
Previously, Lake Junaluska’s event had taken place on July 4, but the former pyrotechnic provider who did the display retired in 2022, causing the shift of dates as Lake Junaluska Assembly officials looked for a new professional.
“Then, people were scrambling. They didn’t know where to go or who had the best fireworks,” said Vickie Best, town manager for Maggie Valley.
Howle said it was a natural fit that they claimed the third as their spot to allow more options for locals and tourists alike to see Haywood’s sky sparkle.
“We’re excited that it creates this trifecta in Haywood County, and ultimately leads to not only great memories, but also longer stays by our visitors to Haywood County,” Howle said.
Lake Junaluska
The community has been ringing in Independence Day with a myriad of patriotic events for 111 years, so it certainly isn’t their first rodeo when it comes to star-spangled events — or which fireworks make for the best show stoppers.
“We invest more in fireworks that’ll go to a higher elevation so they’re able to be seen from a further distance away,” Howle said. “The cost of fireworks varies on the volume and then the size and complexity of the fireworks. Our show always includes a finale.”
Well before the fireworks travel in the sky, JECO Pyrotechnics brings them into town from Newland, N.C.
“They come the morning before the show, and then will spend the entire day setting up the fireworks,” Howle said. “The fireworks are set up on the Lake Junaluska dam, that means when they’re working the dam is closed to both vehicular and also pedestrian traffic.”
The fireworks company comes in the morning and gets ready for its big night over the course of 12 hours. The process is elaborate and involves utilizing launch tubes that will catapult the fireworks, electrically wiring them for launch control, and making sure they’re protected in case it storms.
“Then we basically wait in great anticipation for the sun to go down and for the sky to be filled with the beautiful lights of the fireworks,” Howle said.
A mixture of fireworks launch from the top of the Lake Junaluska dam at approximately 9:30 p.m. and at high and moderate elevations to enable a spectacular view of the show.
“It’s where you can see both downstream of Lake Junaluska, but then also across the lake,” Howle said. “The views of fireworks and their reflection in the water is really something to behold.”
Public Safety is at the forefront of the setup efforts and on standby during the show.
“We’ve been working with local emergency professionals for months, painting and preparing for this,” Howle said. “There’s over 20 different agencies and groups that are involved and working together to make this possible and to keep the public safe.”
Maggie Valley
The fireworks traveling into Maggie are from Zambelli Fireworks and have a bit longer of a commute for their Backyard Fourth performance than Lake Junaluska’s bright display.
The fireworks company is based in Warrendale, Pennsylvania and has been facilitating memorable firework displays for over 100 years. The pyrotics set up shop the day before the event, Best said.
“The reason that our fireworks, I think, are so good, is because we are able to shoot them from the hillside above the festival ground, and so it makes them look like they’re just right over the top of the festival ground,” Best said.
Best said location is everything, and because of their hillside location and higher vantage point, Maggie is able to shoot more fireworks.
“We’re very fortunate because a resident of Maggie Valley, a long time native of the valley, has allowed us to use their hillside,” Best said.
Since the fireworks don’t have to shoot as high they can use smaller shells to extend the show.
The show begins at approximately 9:15 p.m.
“The valley’s full, and a lot of people on the mountainsides can have Fourth of July parties at their homes, and then sit on their porch and enjoy the show from the comfort of their front porch,” Best said.
Canton
The final set of fireworks takes place on July 5 with Canton’s Fourth of July Plus One event.
Canton Interim Town Manager Lisa Stinnett said the town uses Zambelli Fireworks, as well. The group is already in the area for Maggie’s event, so it adds a level of convenience to have them take the short trip to Canton for the following day’s event.
The community is invited to gather in Sorrells Street Park, layout their blankets or set up chairs for the show.
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