Name:	Pontoonfisher -	Reply
Subject:	Verdict on the fireworks.
Date:	7/5/2015 12:24:37 PM

So what did everyone think about the display this year.  I will reserve my judgement until I hear others opinions.  It was still raining lightly at 7:30 in Sandy Creek so we chose to drive to the bridge.  Definitely not the same experience as watching from the boat.  I'm wondering if not being on the boat took away from the experience.  Looked like only half the amount of boats than usual. I imagine most of the folks that went by boat were on that side of the lake. 

Name:	newatthelake -	Reply
Subject:	Verdict on the fireworks.
Date:	7/6/2015 9:23:51 AM

Morning,

My family is new at the lake arriving from Huntsville.  We had heard how wonderful the fireworks were at the lake.  We arrived early (thank goodness since they were supposed to start at 9 and started early).  We had a spot over at Children's Harbor along with many others.  To say these were the worst fireworks I have ever seen in my life was an understatement.  Never got high enough to see but maybe three over the trees.  Huge disappointment.  Will have to either go to Montgomery or somewhere else if this is how the fireworks are going to be.  Several people said that they had watched the fireworks for years in the same spot and couldn't believe how bad they were.  Just my thoughts.  Just a real disappointment.

Anyway . . . love the lake . . . just not the fireworks.

Have a lovely day.

Name:	4stroke -	Reply
Subject:	Verdict on the fireworks.
Date:	7/6/2015 9:58:48 AM

We anchored in the middle of Kowaliga Bay a couple hundred yards out of the Jack's Hollow slough and the fireworks were great.  I surmise the cloud cover and being too close impeded your view from Children's Harbor.  I suggest you give them a try again next year before looking elsewhere. 

Welcome to Lake Martin!

Name:	RickLake -	Reply
Subject:	Verdict on the fireworks.
Date:	7/6/2015 10:04:25 AM

I was very disappointed they started so early.  We left our house near Real Island about 8:40 and as soon as we were able to see in that direction, they were already going- probably 8:45 pm.  We ended up staying by Trillium (in Little Kowliga Creek) because I didn't want to boat all the way to the bridge (and farther) to only have to turn right around.  If there is ever a possibilitty of starting at an alternative time, they should post a message.  I was checking their website and FB pages before hand to see if they were cancelled.  Oh well.

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	Verdict on the fireworks.
Date:	7/6/2015 10:05:16 AM

I wasnt there and havent been for years. That being said I can tell you it was a tough night to do fireworks. There was a very small window in the weather about 8:30 or so and apparently they took advantage of it. Having a lot of fireworks to do ourselves we almost went ahead at that same time. Since we light with torches instead of electronics we opted to wait till the weather passed completely. I am on the eastern side and watching radar we could see that it was breaking up as it passed over the lake. We were about a half hour past our normal 9 o'clock start. Rain increases the danger exponentially. We had 4-5 times the normal misfires which is very scary when you have to clear tubes and reload. Bottom line is dont judge the show by this one year. It was a tough year for 4th of July parties. We had horrible turnout this year but still had a great time. The band had to set up on the back porch instead of the pier and go "unplugged". They were consumate professionals and played on. Some of the younger crowd danced in the sprinkling rain so we had dancing and wet T-shirt contest rolled into one...lol.

Name:	Chevy4x4 -	Reply
Subject:	Anyone else "spotlighted"?
Date:	7/6/2015 11:23:25 AM

We thought the fireworks were decent.  Just happy they got them off given the weather.  Had a 12 week old puppy this us this year, so we stayed a bit further out than typical, he did great.  

Anyone else "spotlighted"?  We were hit with fairly powerful spot lights on 3 different occasions on the return trip.  Extremely rude and certainly doesn't help ones night vision.  When the second one hit I did a double take on my navigation lights to make sure everything was working.  That's my pet peeve for this year... 

Name:	HARRY -	Reply
Subject:	Verdict on the fireworks.
Date:	7/6/2015 11:40:33 AM

I think everyone that has been critical of the fireworks should ask for a full refund.

Name:	newatthelake -	Reply
Subject:	Verdict on the fireworks.
Date:	7/6/2015 12:26:15 PM (updated 7/6/2015 12:27:14 PM)

Sorry if my comments were taken as critical.  Just my observation.  I know the weather was tough at best.  Didn't want my boat out on the water for the fireworks just for that reason.  Had just never seen fireworks fired so low as to not be seen in the big sky.  Was looking for some information as to whether this was the norm now as I had heard so much different.  No refunds necessary.  Thanks to you all that had positive informative responses.  Much appreciated.

Name:	10toLife -	Reply
Subject:	Verdict on the fireworks.
Date:	7/6/2015 6:50:25 PM

They were great on Sandy Creek!  :)

We had dueling Firework shows from several home owners.  It had to cost a small fortune. Beautiful  and nearly surreal. Nothing like the fireworks on the Lake. We may have to get in on the action next year. But there were a little less than last year and I am sure it was because of the rain. 

Name:	jalcz -	Reply
Subject:	Verdict on the fireworks.
Date:	7/6/2015 7:35:16 PM

We missed the first few minutes because we never got the message that they were starting early. And some of the displays were "lost" in the cloud cover/smoke.

WAS there a message that they were starting early? I'm thinking that there was... but that the only people who were meant to get it were the people who were watching from The Amp. Those of us who watch by boat are apparently now just after-thoughts.

If the PTB want to cater to those who come to the Amp and listen to the concert before and after, I guess that's OK; I'm not sure that those who own marinas and restaurants will be appreciative of a concerted effort to drive people off of the water, though.

As for overall quality... the weather obviously hurt, and that coudn't be helped. I was disappointed at the unannounced early start time, and once again left longing for the days when Mr. Blount was in charge. THOSE were the can't-miss fireworks displays; everything since then has not been as good. Even when they have been great, it's still a not-as-great-as-then kind of great.

Name:	jalcz -	Reply
Subject:	Verdict on the fireworks.
Date:	7/6/2015 7:38:56 PM

You were too close AND had something between you and the fireworks. If you're going to be that close-- and I do like being close, too!!-- make sure there are no trees between you and the displays.

It's hard to believe that you can be too close to see the fireworks, but it happens. Back before the show moved to The Amp, it was done from an island, and many cabins near that island, especially on the backside, were too close.

Name:	Pontoonfisher -	Reply
Subject:	Verdict on the fireworks.
Date:	7/7/2015 8:19:00 AM

Lifer,

You bring up a good point.  I was saying to my wife that I wondered if the rain may have damaged some of the fireworks or they couldn't light some of them off.  Either way I felt like the show was way off this year.  We will go by boat next year weather permitting. It's a tradition and the kids love it. 

Name:	jwh445 -	Reply
Subject:	Verdict on the fireworks.
Date:	7/7/2015 11:21:48 AM

My opinion is the professionals who put on this "free to us" show took the weather into consideration and fired more low level pyrotechnics than usual because of the cloud cover.  We arrived, by boat, dropped anchor as the first firework exploded.  It would be nice if someone could post here if there are any changes to time or cancellations, I checked throughout the day.  My conclusion is thank you for putting on an beautiful fireworks show in spite of the incredibly adverse conditions, looking forward to next year's celebration!!!