MACON, Ga. — The Fourth of July brings fireworks, and lots of them. This year folks across Central Georgia gathered at Lake Tobesofkee for the Sparks in Our Parks event.
Many people spent the day on the water before enjoying the big light show.
"Everyone should have been at Lake Tobesofkee tonight. Really, it's just amazing," Kamryn Nation said.
Visitors enjoyed everything Thursday evening from reading to building sandcastles and just having fun on the water.
"I'm really enjoying it because the suns out. I get to get in the water and everything. It's really nice today," Trey Johnson said.
He and a group of his friends and family drove all the way from Hawkinsville to enjoy their holiday. For most of them, it was their first time at the beach.
"It's a good 90 degrees, but you know we're basking in the sun, soaking it in, getting a little tan going," Hunter Milton shared.
Milton is originally from Augusta. He came to the beach with the Johnson family.
"I really like the area, I really like the people. We're having a really really really great time," Milton said.
Chesnie Mason was cartwheeling across the beach, but she's no stranger to the lake.
"I actually prefer Sandy Beach over Claystone because this one is a lot more clear," Mason said.
Lots of people soaked up that water, laying out, boating and playing on jetski's. Before about 6:00 p.m., the water wasn't the place to be. The grill was where all the magic was happening.
Many families had their coals burning to cook hamburgers, hot dogs corn on the cob and other staples.
Alexus Gibson's family was one of the ones taking advantage of the open grilling space.
"This is something my auntie has been doing. I'm 29. We've been doing it for as long as that," she said.
After feasting, Gibson's family was jamming out. They danced all night to her cousin DJ Mega's new song Mega Train and other popular music as they waited for the firework show.
"I love watching the kids and their facial expressions. Every year is different," Carla Stallion said.
The fireworks show kicked off at 9:15 p.m.
People also got to enjoy live music from The Rescue Dogs band. This was the 28th year for the Independence Day event.