The skies over Marietta will come alive once again this Independence Day, as the longtime community fireworks celebration returns to War Memorial Park, 344 E. Walnut St., on Friday, July 4. The festivities will begin at 4 p.m. with family-friendly activities and will culminate with the fireworks display around 9:15 p.m., conditions permitting.

Organized by fireworks enthusiast Gary Schatz, Marietta Fireworks will feature a new addition to the festivities this year.

"We're starting a line of food trucks at the park," Gary said. "Our goal is to have six." One of the trucks will be a brand-new offering from Mumma's Eats & Treats, operated by the former owners of the Clearview Diner. The truck will serve items including hamburgers, hot dogs and french fries.

Again this year, Marietta Fireworks is partnering with Community Bible Church, 331 Anderson Ferry Road, Marietta, to offer a place to enjoy the fireworks and experience a fun atmosphere beforehand.

The parking lot at the church will open at 4 p.m., and while parking is free, donations will be accepted.

"Donations are one of our biggest moneymakers for the year," Gary said.

His wife, Raeann, describes the festivities at the church as "family-friendly tailgating." People come early to enjoy kids' activities, including bounce houses, face painting and a barrel train, and to eat and socialize.

Food trucks will begin serving food at the church at 4 p.m., and children's activities will begin at 4:30 p.m. Live music will be provided by Common Vine from 6 to 8 p.m.

"People set up in the yard, and they play cards or board games and just enjoy time together before the fireworks," Gary said, noting that last year's event attracted thousands of people and required the church to shut down the parking when the lot was full. "We work hand-in-hand with the church for this event."

He encouraged people to view the fireworks display from either the park or the church, which he said makes a unique setting.

"For somebody watching from the church on the hill, the mountains are such a beautiful backdrop, and the sound from the fireworks reverberates and echoes," he noted.

Gary has been organizing Marietta Fireworks for decades, and he emphasized that it's a long-standing community event.

"We're one of the oldest fireworks shows in the area," he said. "We've been doing it since the late '50s. I've been doing it since the '80s. It's just one of my passions."

The show will feature both electronically pre-set fireworks and hand-lit varieties.

"We're going to do a segment with special pattern shells," Gary said, explaining that the fireworks will display in shapes such as hearts and smiley faces. "We'll set those off two at a time."

He anticipates the show will run about 25 to 30 minutes.

While Gary is busy behind the scenes, Raeann supports the effort by accepting donations during the event and handling administrative tasks such as thank-you letters to supporters year-round.

"I stand out and collect donations for about five and a half hours," she said, noting that it's all worth it to see the crowds react to the show. "I get to hear the 'oohs' and 'ahs' because I'm right there."

She also credits the people who come to the show year after year for making it possible to offer Marietta Fireworks.

"Without the community support, we could not be able to do this," she said. "We rely on the community."

For more information and updates on the event, follow "Marietta Fireworks" on Facebook or visit https://mariettafireworks.org.