Celebrate American independence early with one of the largest fireworks displays in the Southeast! The Pre-4th Fireworks Extravaganza is a long-standing tradition in Hartwell, Georgia, drawing thousands of visitors by land and by boat. This event is the grand finale of “Pre-4th Weekend,” which kicks off with an arts and crafts festival in downtown Hartwell during the day before moving to the lake for an evening of music and pyrotechnics.
The show is launched over the “Big Water” near the Hartwell Dam, providing spectacular views from multiple recreation areas and from the hundreds of boats that anchor in the channel.
Event Highlights:
- Big Water Viewing: The fireworks are launched from a point that makes them visible for miles across the lake.
- Music & Food: Long Point Recreation Area serves as the “event hub,” featuring live music, food trucks, and family-friendly activities starting in the late afternoon.
- Boater’s Vantage: Many locals consider the best seat to be on the water. Boaters typically begin gathering near the dam and Long Point around dusk.
- Downtown Connection: Most attendees spend the morning at the 43rd Annual Pre-Fourth Arts & Crafts Festival and the Children’s Patriotic Parade on the Hartwell Courthouse Square before heading to the water.
Alternative Viewing: Big Oaks Recreation Area, Elrod Ferry, and the Hartwell Dam Overlook.