If you go to see Marietta Fireworks this year, be prepared to be wowed. "This is the biggest show we have done yet," said Gary Schatz, who has been organizing the event since 2018. "We have scripted the show to be 35 minutes plus."

Schatz explained that the show can be "scripted" because the majority of it is now electronic, meaning the fireworks are programmed and shot off with a remote. The show will also still include some manual fireworks as well, he noted. "We've been working on transitioning to more electronics over the past three or four years, and this is the second time we'll be doing a lot of electronics," Schatz stated.

The fireworks will begin at approximately 9:15 p.m. on Saturday, July 1, in War Memorial Park, 344 E. Walnut St., Marietta. "We say 'approximately' because it's completely dependent on the conditions," Schatz explained. "If it's not quite dark or it's raining, we will have to adjust that time until it stops raining."

Before the fireworks display, people are invited to a celebration at Community Bible Church, 331 Anderson Ferry Road, Marietta. It will include family activities, food trucks and live bluegrass music from Ironwood Drive Band. The church makes a perfect viewing spot for the fireworks, Schatz said, noting that people can also watch the display from War Memorial Park.

Marietta Fireworks is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, and it relies on donations from the community to operate. "We are an all-volunteer organization," Schatz remarked. "No one takes any salary. We have about 40 people on the team, and we put a lot of man hours into this."

He noted that donations for Marietta Fireworks will be accepted at the church, including donations for parking, with all proceeds benefiting the organization.

For more information on Marietta Fireworks, visit https://mariettafireworks.org or search for "Marietta Fireworks" on Facebook.