(UPDATE) Lake Sara Making Provisions for Wednesday Night Fireworks Display; Parking will be Limited

See the full list of area fireworks in our Community Calendar

Lake Sara officials are planning for fireworks tonight, wet conditions or not.

Shumway Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Johnathan Paholke said crews were already getting barricades in place Tuesday and IDOT is placing a signboard at the intersection of Routes 32/33 and Lake Sara Road.  The message will caution motorists about congested traffic.

Paholke reminds those wanting to attend the fireworks at the lake to get there early.  There will be no parking along Moccasin Road and no parking on Beach Road.  Some of the grassy areas that have been available in past years are too soggy to use this year, so that's why the word is going out to get there early.  Once the parking is filled up at the beach area, the road to the beach will be closed at Moccasin Road.  In addition, once the parking is filled up at the beach area and the road to the beach is closed, no further access will be allowed to The Marina at Lake Sara.  Those interested in getting on the water, either with a boat or as a passenger, will have to use Boatdockers.  No one will be allowed to meet a boat at The Marina because there won't be any place for them to park their vehicle.

Cardinal Golf Course has agreed to let their lot be used for parking.  Paholke thanked them for their assistance and also thanked Brian Larson at The Marina for his agreeing to shutting down access to his facility once the parking is gone at the beach.

Paholke reminds listeners that it might also take a little longer to get the crowd dispersed after the display, so plan accordingly.  Word is that, due to the wet conditions, taking along some bug spray might be a good idea.

A reminder that the Effingham County Dive Rescue Team will hold its annual fundraiser cookout.  They'll be serving hamburgers, hot dogs, snow cones, and Culver's frozen custard.  Sales will start at 6pm and will continue until the fireworks begin.

By the way, if the fireworks were to be rained out tonight at Lake Sara, it's unclear as to when a rain date would be possible due to law enforcement manpower uncertainties.