BY CASSIE DUERSON
When summer starts to crank up at Lake Anna everyone looks forward to the Annual Fourth of July Firework Display put on by the Lake Anna Civic Association (LACA). The fireworks are set off Dike 2, where families and friends gather by boat or on land to watch the breathtaking show.
This is more than an Independence Day celebration, it is an annual tradition that so many hold close that would not be possible without the dedication of volunteers, generous donors and lots of planning.
Mike May, chairman of the LACA Fireworks has played a vital role in the show since the late 1990s. He first became involved when a neighbor introduced him to the association and the work they do around the lake.
In 1997, the tradition began when Dominion Energy, then known as Virginia Power, sponsored a firework show at the Lake Anna State Park to mark the 25th anniversary of the lake. The following year Herb Distafano, a local to the lake, organized a community funded firework show at the state park, with the help of Richard Cooley, who had recently purchased property on the lake.
Although the display looked great, there were many challenges faced.
“There were not enough donations to cover the cost of the fireworks, so Herb ended up paying for the fireworks out of his pocket,” May wrote. “Secondly the State Park was not a good location choice because there was no way to control the crowd for safety reasons.”
At the next LACA board meeting, May gave several suggestions for the following year’s display to ensure safety and proper funds. He suggested mailing lake residents to ask for donations, and to include a return envelope. For safety reasons they choose to move the fireworks to the Lake Anna Dam. Following the September 11 attacks, Dominion Power showed concern about the fireworks being launched from the dam, and they were then moved to Dike 2 in 2002.
After the success of the donations from mailings and the organization of the firework display, May was appointed chairman of the LACA firework board. Under his leadership the event has continued to
grow and become a fan favorite.
“The show has tripled in size because of the increase in donations,” May said.
Residents can support the firework display by mailing donations, online donations through the LACA website and this year they will be accepting Venmo donations.
The fireworks are provided by Zambelli Fireworks, and Rob Bergman along with an assistant set them off. A combination of electronic fuses and lighting fuses via flare are used for the show. There are many people behind the scenes who work to ensure the display is beautiful and safe.
Ken Sadel of Lake Anna Golf Carts has volunteers to install launch tubes, and also provides golf carts to transport personnel to the launch site.
“The Louisa County Sheriff’s office places officers at each end of Dike 2. Bumpass Fire Department will have a firetruck on site,” May wrote. “Lake Anna rescue has an ambulance on site. Devan Payne with Dominion Power will oversee everything pertaining to the Dike that is being used. A state fire marshall will also be present to count the firework shells.”
While the fireworks start when it becomes dark, usually around 9 pm, it takes about three hours to set up the launch tubes, and another six hours for Bergman to load the shells and get the show ready.
From the water spectators see the colors pop into the sky, but the show is much different when standing on Dike 2.
“You feel more compression and it is louder when you are that close,” May wrote. “Rather than watching the show, the people involved are concentrating on the shooter and his safety. Making sure all the shells go off properly, and no fires around the shoot sight start.”
May has seen countless firework displays, but just like everyone else he has a few favorite moments.
“The grand finale is the best,” May noted, “There are a few segments that I like where he shoots several smiley faces back-to-back. He also has a section that looks like gold weeping willows that stay lit until they hit the water. After the show is over many of the watching boats honk their horns to say, “Thank you!”
The firework display remains community funded. More than 550 people donated for this year’s firework show. Every dollar donated goes directly to the show.
As with any event, there will be hiccups, but there has only been one time where the fireworks have had to be cancelled due to weather.
“One year I cancelled the fireworks due to an impending storm,” May remembers. I notified the public by posting signs everywhere. That night at 9:15 pm, the shoot time, there was more lightning from the storm, so this was a good call to cancel. First and only time!,”
As another Fourth of July approaches, the firework show continues to be one of the most anticipated traditions and would not be possible without the hard work of the community.
