Uptown Columbus is seeking community donations to fund a fireworks show to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the reopening of the Chattahoochee River. The nonprofit hopes to raise at least $5,000 to pay for a firework show to mark the special occasion and wrap up the 2023 River Festival.

The idea of adding fireworks came late in the planning for the River Festival. “As the largest free event in the community, our team had been working for months to recruit sponsors, book bands, and find vendors,” said Uptown President Ed Wolverton. “At the last moment, we realized that the river re-opened in 2013 – making this year the 10th anniversary of this transformational project. We had to do something special,” he said.

Without time to find sponsors to pay for the fireworks, Uptown is hoping local residents will donate to help pay for the show. Organizers encourage anyone who enjoys the riverwalk, rafting, or community events to chip in. Any amount is appreciated, and people can make a credit card donation by visiting the website at https://www.alwaysuptown.com/signature-events-2 or texting the phrase HBDrushsouth to 44321.

The fireworks show is set for Saturday, May 13th at approximately 10:00pm. The show will launch more than 1,200 shells from the Riverwalk, delighting Riverfest spectators. The fireworks will be easily visible in Woodruff Park and from the area around the Phenix City Amphitheater.

“We need everyone’s help to celebrate the river’s 10 year anniversary with a bang,” said Ed Wolverton, President of Uptown Columbus Inc. “The river restoration project started when we blew up two dams in 2013. Hosting a fireworks show ten years later with a lot more bangs will make for great fun,” he said.

River Festival is a free community event at Woodruff Park. The event starts at 5pm on Friday, May 12th. Performances will be from Funk Factory 5 and Homegrown, a Zac Brown tribute plan. The festivities will resume Saturday at 10am, starting with a free life jacket giveaway by River Savvy Kids. Music starts at 2pm, with Nuthin’ Fancy (a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band) taking the stage from 8pm to 10pm. Fireworks will wrap up the festivities for the weekend.

For more information about the fireworks show or the River Festival, contact Tracey Green at 706.596.0111 or [email protected]