Category Archives: Videos/Photos

Fire on the Water 4th of July Fireworks – Oak Mountain State Park

This event will take place JULY 3rd!

Fire on the Water Independence day Fireworks will be at Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, Alabama

2:00pm  Watersports demonstrations by Flip Side at the beach area.
6:00 p.m.        Food, entertainment, live music.
9:00 p.m.        Fireworks
Admission:        $5 per carload ($3 for single rider)

Gates close at 8:00pm!

This is a video of the finale last year filmed from a drone. 
Below is a list of other fireworks displays in the state.

2015 Independence Day Fireworks in Alabama!

June 27, 2014

Cedar Bluff, AL*

Liberty Day*
Cedar Bluff Town Park
Cedar Bluff, AL
Liberty Day is back for 2015!
Day:        Events including arts & crafts, entertainment, food and more.
9 p.m.        Fireworks over Weiss Lake.

Columbiana, AL*

Annual Columbiana Liberty Day Celebration*
Festival celebrating the Statue of Liberty that features music, entertainment and
more. Fireworks on Saturday night, June 27, 2015, at dark.
Downtown Columbiana.
Free

Thomasville, AL*

Thomasville Home Town Celebration 2015*
Downtown
Thomasville, AL
Children’s parade & activities, food, music and more.
5:00 p.m. – Events begin
9:00 p.m. – Fireworks

June 28, 2014

Alabaster, AL*

Celebrate America 4th of July Fireworks*
Veteran’s Park
7305 Highway 119
Alabaster, Alabama
7:00 p.m.        Activities, food vendors and more.
9:45 p.m.        Fireworks
Admission:        Free

Boaz, AL*

Boaz Independence Celebration*
Dyer Boulevard
Boaz, Alabama
Live entertainment, food and fireworks.
7:00 p.m. – Pre-Show
8:00 p.m. – Main Performance
9:00 p.m. – Fireworks

Clanton, AL*

Annual Peach Jam Jubilee*
Clanton City Park
Clanton, Alabama
Festival celebrating Chilton County Peaches and Independence Day.
4:00 p.m. – Gates open
Dark – Fireworks

Wilsonville, AL*

God & Country*
Downtown
Wilsonville, AL
Food, family fun, live music.
Dark:  Fireworks
Admission:        Free

July 2, 2014

Dothan, AL*

(See Fort Rucker)

Fort Rucker, AL*

Fort Rucker Wiregrass Freedom Fest 2015
Fort Rucker, Alabama
4:00 p.m. – Events begin with rides, food, crafts, children’s activities and more.
9:00 p.m. – Fireworks

July 3, 2014

Chelsea, AL*

The Big Kaboom*
Near the clock tower off U.S. Highway 280
Chelsea, AL
7:30 p.m.        Flag retirement ceremony with the Boy Scouts.
8:00 p.m.        Entertainment, food & more.
9:00 p.m.        Fireworks
FREE

Helena, AL*

July Fourth Celebration*
Old Town Helena
Alabama 261
Helena, AL
5:30 p.m.        Food, activities vendors
8:30 p.m.        Fireworks

Jackson, AL*

Jackson Independence Day Fireworks*
Jackson Fairgrounds
Jackson, Alabama
Dark        Fireworks
FREE

Jacksonville, AL

JaxFest 2015*
Jacksonville Community Center & Golden Eagle Stadium*
Jacksonville, AL
All Day               Activities at Community Center
7:00 p.m.          Entertainment, Music and More.
9:00 p.m.          Fireworks
(Bring your lawn chair!)

Greenville, AL*

Celebrate America*
Tiger Stadium
Greenville High School
Greenville, Alabama
7:00 p.m.        Gates Open
8:00 p.m.        Patriotic Program
9:00 p.m.        Fireworks

Heflin, AL*

City of Heflin Salute to America Celebration*
McIntyre Park
Heflin, Alabama
6:00 p.m.         4th of July Beach Bash (McIntyre Park)
9:00 p.m.        Fireworks at Football Field

Pelham, AL*

Fire on the Water 4th of July Fireworks*
Oak Mountain State Park
Pelham, Alabama
6:00 p.m.        Food, entertainment, live music.
9:00 p.m.        Fireworks
Admission:        $5 per carload ($3 for single rider)

July 4, 2014

Alexander City, AL*

Annual 4th of July Blast*
Lake Martin Amphitheater (the AMP)
Alexander City, Alabama
4:30 p.m.        Activities, food and more.
9:00 p.m.        Fireworks
Admission Charged

Athens, AL*

Athens Fireworks Show*
Athens High School
Highway 31 North
Athens, Alabama
8:30 p.m.        Fire  works

Auburn, AL*

Auburn 4th of July Celebration*
Duck Samford Park
Auburn, Alabama
6 p.m.                Gates Open
7 p.m.                Entertainment & Activities
9 p.m.                Fireworks
www.auburnalabama.org

Birmingham, AL*

Thunder on the Mountain 2015*
Birmingham, Alabama
Fired from Vulcan Park which will be closed to the public during the display.
Visible throughout the Birmingham Metro Area
9:00 p.m.        Fireworks
Radio:                 95.7, 97.3, 98.7, 102.1, 104.7, 106.9 FM & 610 AM.
Television:        WBRC-TV, FOX 6
FREE
Thunder on the Mountain

Centre, AL*

FIreworks at Weiss Lake*
Centre, AL
9:00 p.m.        Fireworks over Weiss Lake

Chickasaw, AL*

Fourth of July Celebration*
Bill Brooks Park
Chickasaw, Alabama
5:00 p.m.        Live Music
6:00 p.m.        Kayak paddle
9:00 p.m.        Fireworks

Cullman*

Smith Lake Independence Day Festival*
Smith Lake Park
416 County Road 385
Cullman, Alabama
All Day                Putt-Putt, Water Slide, Arts & Crafts, etc.
Dark                Fireworks on the Water

Daphne, AL

Daphne’s Jubilee Independence Day
Trione Sports Park
Whispering Pines Rd.
Daphne, Alabama
Dark:                Fireworks
FREE

Decatur, AL*

Spirit of America Festival*
Pt. Mallard Park
Decatur, Alabama
4:00 p.m.        Events Begin including Activities, Food, Music & More.
9:00 p.m.        Fireworks over the Tennessee River
www.spiritofamericafestival.com

Demopolis, AL*

2015 Freedom on the River*
Demopolis City Landing
Demopolis, Alabama
5:00 p.m..      Events begin.
Dark                Fireworks

Dothan, AL*

Fireworks at the National Peanut Festival*
U.S. 231 South
Dothan, Alabama
5:00 p.m.        Gates open for food, games and entertainment
9:00 p.m.        Fireworks
Admission:        $10 per car, proceeds benefit Wiregrass United Way Charities.

Eufaula, AL*

Lakepoint State Park 4th of July Celebration
Lakepoint State Park
US 231 North
Eufaula, Alabama
Evening – Kids activities and more.
Dark – Fireworks over the Lake

Fairhope, AL*

Fourth of July Celebration*
Fairhope Beach at Municipal Pier
Fairhope, Alabama
7:30 p.m.        Music by the Baldwin Pops.
9:00 p.m.        Fireworks

Florence, AL*

Shoals Spirit of Freedom Celebration*
McFarland Park
McFarland Park Rd.
Florence, Alabama
2:00 p.m..        Gates Open for day of Fun, Music, Food, Entertainment & More
Dark                Fireworks
FREE

Gadsden, AL

Independence Day Celebration
Downtown and the Riverfront
Gadsden, Alabama
5:00 p.m.        Live Music, Events, food and more
9:00 p.m.        Fireworks
9:20 p.m.        Etowah Youth Orchestra concert at Mort Glosser Amphitheater

Grand Bay, AL*

Watermelon Festival (Fireworks not mentioned on the calendar at this time)
Odd Fellow Park
U.S. Highway 90
Grand Bay, Alabama
8:00 a.m.        Watermelon Festival Begins with food, entertainment, arts & crafts.
8:00 p.m.        Fireworks?
Admission        $5 per vehicle

Guin, AL

July 4th Fireworks & Entertainment
Guin, Alabama
3 p.m.        Entertainment
9:30 p.m.        Fireworks

Gulf Shores, AL*

Gulf Shores Annual Fireworks Extravaganza*
Where Highway 59 meets the Beach
Gulf Shores, Alabama
6:00 p.m.        Events begin
9:00 p.m.        Fireworks
Radio                105.7 FM
Fireworks are fired from a barge and are visible all along the beach.
FREE

Guntersville, AL*

All American Celebration*
Lake Guntersville
Guntersville, Alabama
9:00 p.m.        Fireworks
FREE

Harpersville, AL

Music & Fireworks (No information for 2015)
Morgan Creek Vineyards
Harpersville, AL
6:00 p.m.        Events Begin.
Dark                Fireworks

Headland, AL

4th of July Fireworks (No information yet for 2015)
Douglas Park
Headland, Alabama
Dark        Fireworks

Henagar, AL*

Sand Mountain Potato Festival*
Henagar Park
Henagar, Alabama
10:00 a.m.        Events Begin with Live Music, Entertainment, Games, Food.
Dark                Fireworks
FREE

Huntsville, AL*

4th of July Fireworks Celebration*
U.S. Space & Rocket Center
Huntsville, Alabama
6:00 p.m.        Events Begin, including Food, Entertainment, Family Activities.
9:00 p.m.        Fireworks
Admission        $20 per vehicle.
***Reservations must be made IN ADVANCE***

Lake Martin*

Fireworks over Lake Martin*
Kowaliga Bay area
Lake Martin, Alabama
Dark       Fireworks

Luverne, AL

4th of July Fireworks (Not yet confirmed for 2015)
Turner Park
Luverne, Alabama
8:30 p.m.        Fireworks

Madison, AL*

4th of July Celebration & Fireworks*
Dublin Memorial Park
8324 Madison Pike
Madison, Alabama
2:00 p.m.        Events Begin including Food, Games, Entertainment & More.
8:30 p.m.        Fireworks
FREE
Free Shuttle Service from Bob Jones High School beginning at 2 p.m.

Mobile, AL*

Fireworks at Battleship Park*
Battleship Park
2703 Battleship Parkway
Mobile, Alabama
8:00 a.m.        Battleship USS Alabama open all day.
4:00 p.m.        Field Parking Opens
7:00 p.m.        Concert by the Mobile Pops
9:00 p.m.        Fireworks
Parking is $2 before 5 p.m., $5 after 5 p.m.

Montevallo, AL*

Independence Day 1776*
American Village
3727 Alabama 119
Montevallo, AL
11:30 a.m.        Historically Themed Events Begin.
Dark                Fireworks
Admission:        $5 (Free for War Veterans and Active Duty Military).

Montgomery, AL*

Picnic on the River*
Riverfront Park
Montgomery, Alabama
5:00 p.m.        Dreamland Rib Eating Competition
6:00 p.m.        Live Music at Riverfront Amphitheater
Dark                Fireworks
Bring your picnics! (No alcoholic beverages)

Mt. Laurel, AL*

Independence Day Celebration*
Olmsted Park
Mt. Laurel, AL*
10:00 a.m.        Parade
6:00 p.m.          Picnic at Spoonwood Lake
Dusk                 Fireworks

Opp*

July 4th Celebration*
Frank Jackson State Park
Opp, Alabama
2:00 p.m.        Activities, picnicking, swimming and more.
4:00 p.m.        Free hotdogs, watermelon and sodas or water.
Dark:                Fireworks over the lake.

Orange Beach, AL*

Fourth at the Wharf*
Amphitheater at the Wharf
Canal Rd.
Orange Beach, Alabama
9:00 p.m.        Fireworks
FREE

Oxford, AL

Freedom Festival (Info not yet available for 2015)
Oxford Lake Park
Oxford, Alabama
9:00 a.m.          Children’s Parade
9:30 a.m.          Bicycle & Tricycle Races
9:45 a.m.          Pet Show
1:00 p.m.          Swimming at Oxford Lake Pool
9:00 p.m.          Fireworks

Phenix City, AL*

Fireworks over the Chattahoochee River*
Riverwalk & Amphitheater
Phenix City, Alabama
7:00 p.m.        Concertt at the Amphitheater
9:30 p.m.        Fireworks over the Chattahoochee River
FREE

Pike Road, AL*

Summer Fest*
The Waters
Pike Road, Alabama
4:30 p.m.        Gates Open
5:30 p.m.        Summerfest Begins
9:00 p.m.        Fireworks
Admission: $10 per vehicle.

Prattville, AL*

Prattville Independence Day Celebration*
Prattville, Alabama
9:00 a.m.         Parade in Downtown Prattville
10:00 a.m.       BBQ/Camp Stew Sale at Pratt Park
6:00 p.m.        Gates open at Stanley-Jensen Stadium for music, children’s area,
food and more.
Dark                Fireworks
FREE
(Bring your blankets and lawn chairs).

Rogersville, AL*

Elk River Boat Party*
***BOATS ONLY***
Anderson Creek
Rogersville, AL
3 p.m.                Events begin with live music, swimming & grilling
Dark                Fireworks over Elk River
Free

Scottsboro, AL*

4th of July on the Tennessee River*
Goose Pond Colony
Ed Hembree Drive
Scottsboro, Alabama
6:00 p.m.        Event Begins with Food, Boat Parade, Music & More.
Dark                Fireworks
FREE

Talladega, AL*

4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza*
Veterans Park
Talladega, Alabama
5 p.m.        Events begin with music, food, games & more.
Dark           Fireworks begin.
FREE

Troy, AL

City of Troy 4th of July Celebration (Info for 2015 not yet available).
Veterans Memorial Stadium
Troy University
Troy, Alabama
8:30 p.m.        Brief Program
8:45 p.m.        Fireworks

Trussville, AL*

Trussville Freedom Celebration 2015*
On the Mall in Historic Downtown
Trussville, Alabama
6:00 p.m.        Events begin including Music, Food, Entertainment & More
Dark                Fireworks
FREE

Tuscaloosa, AL

Celebration on the River (Info for 2015 not yet available).
Tuscaloosa Amphitheater
Tuscaloosa, AL
6:00 p.m.        Events Begin
9:00 p.m.        Fireworks
Admission Charged

Wedowee, AL

Street Dance (Info for 2015 not yet available).
DP Oil on US 431
Wedowee, Alabama
5:00 p.m.          Food, Games, Rides, Live Music, More.
After Dark         Fireworks over Lake Wedowee

Wetumpka, AL*

4th of July Celebration*
Behind City Administration Building
Historic Downtown
Wetumpka, Alabama
6:00 p.m.        Children’s Parade (Downtown)
6:30 p.m.        Entertainment (Gold Star Park)
9:00 p.m.        Fireworks
Free

Awaiting Information on these events:

Cherokee, AL

Cherokee Independence Day Celebration
3752 Old Lee Highway
Cherokee, AL
Live music, arts & crafts, food and more.
10:00 a.m. – Gates open.
Dark – Fireworks

Little Texas (Macon County)

Little Texas Fireworks Show
Little Texas Tabernacle
Little Texas, Alabama
8:00 p.m.          Fireworks

Carbon Fiber Props on a Phantom 2 – Results Are Incredible! – Video

For more than a year, I have been trying to minimize the vibrations in video shot using a DJI Phantom 2 quadcopter with stock props and a GoPro modified with a 5.4mm lens. I’ve gotten really close but still have yet to completely eliminate them. I’ve used the DJI 9443 and the new DJI 9450 plastic props. The 9450s do give slightly more flight time, but in my tests I always have fewer vibrations while using the 9443, even when both are perfectly balanced. If I fly slow and steady in light to no wind, I’ve been somewhat successful in producing very smooth shots; however, I have never been able to fly at speed or make abrupt movements without some jello or micro-vibrations.

I read up on carbon fiber props and have seen many mixed reviews. Many told me that I would get more vibrations and that it wasn’t worth it, but I had to try for myself. I found a set on Amazon

After they arrived, I inspected them for any damage or anything that looked out of spec. Then I installed the propellers and did a ground preflight run-up with the quadcopter secured, and everything tested good. Next was a free flight hover a few feet off the ground to test for stability. After it tested good again, I took it to a field and flew hard, producing vibration-free video with no effort.

While using the 5.4mm lens on a GoPro shooting 1080P 60fps, I made high-speed runs, abrupt turns, altitude climbs, and quick forward descents, and I flew in every direction;  I saw practically no vibrations in any of the maneuvers. The only time it twitched was when I made a very abrupt turn, and the camera hit the mount.  Watch on a large LCD and you’ll see how smooth these shots are. Just imagine if I tried to get a smooth shot–it would be perfect.

Flight duration test yielding a lower flight time than the stock prop. Using a healthy battery, at 12.5 minutes I hit the 1st warning with voltage at 10.7v  at 14 minutes is was ready to fall out of the sky.  This was carrying a Zenmuse H33D, GoPro, and a GHz transmitter.

Carbon fiber propellers are very dangerous, and you must be careful when using them. Always keep a  safe distance from people. If a plastic prop hits you, it might rough you up or make a small cut, but if a carbon fiber prop hits you, you’ll be missing some fingers.

The video below is unedited and shot in 60fps to help show any micro-vibrations that exist.

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