There might not be real fireworks in the sky over Selma on July 4, but city leaders are confident the Independence Day celebration will still be fun for all.

The City of Selma 4th of July celebration is scheduled to take place from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, July 4 at Riverfront Park and Water Avenue.

Shebra Kidd, director of the Downtown Selma Association, said the city hosted a Labor Day fireworks show at Riverfront Park last year, which was well received by the public.

“We did a big Labor Day celebration there last year and had fireworks, since our 4th of July event was cancelled because of rain, and it was a big hit,” Kidd said. “It was a good turnout, and I think everybody liked it a lot more than going out to the stadium.”

While there will be a fireworks show over the city again on Labor Day, Selma Mayor George Evans said there will be plenty for young and old to do July 4 at Riverfront Park.

“We’ll have games for kids, food for everyone, and a fireworks show on a video screen,” Evans said. “I think it’s way more exciting to have the event downtown. Even though people were sitting in bleachers and enjoying a fireworks show at Memorial Stadium in years past, I think now they can come, bring their lawn chairs, sit on the grass and enjoy the view of nature.”

The video screen will be provided by Porta Party DJ Entertainment.

Porta Party owner Paul Alexander said he is excited to be a part of the city’s Independence Day celebration.

“When Mayor Evans and Shebra approached me about helping them out with this event, I was flattered. “It’s a big family-oriented event. I know we’ll be bringing a portable Jumbotron. It’s a large LED panel screen that we will use to show 4th of July videos and effects which will go right along with the music we’ll be playing.”

While his company has worked large events throughout the region for many years, Alexander said next Friday’s event is a rare chance to work here in his hometown.

“We have done a lot of work like this around the Southeast for 15 years now, but we haven’t done too many big events here in Selma,” Alexander said. “And this is one that the community can really enjoy.”

Evans said the timing of the event, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., will allow guests to get in their cars and enjoy fireworks shows in other nearby communities if they choose.

“It’s a huge deal for the whole community, and I think that going from 4 to 8 will let everybody enjoy the games and fun before they head up to Valley Grande for the fireworks they have planned for that night,” Evans said. “We are working together to support each other. I know Mayor [Wayne] Labbe came down here last Labor Day to support us, and I want to be up there for their fireworks show on the 4th.”