Tahoe fireworks to go off tonight

Staff Reports

Lake Tahoe's traditional July Fourth celebration, "Lights on the Lake," is being dedicated to the firefighters and emergency personnel who extinguished the Angora fire.

"Tourism officials were the first to question the appropriateness of holding an event in light of last week's incident," said Patrick Kaler, executive director of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. "The almost unanimous consensus was it would serve to highlight the area's spirit and resiliency throughout the country that Lake Tahoe recovery is underway."

With 80 percent of South Shore residents involved in the tourism industry, a strong local economy will help support those most affected by the fire. In the past few days, fire officials have repeatedly indicated conditions are safe.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was back in Lake Tahoe on Monday to announce that the fire threat has been alleviated, and the famous tourism area is 100 percent open for the July Fourth holiday. All tourism attractions are operating.

The clear sky is illuminated over the spectacular mountain lake for 30 minutes with thousands of fireworks from traditional favorites to innovative shell patterns that draw oohs and ahhs from an appreciative audience.

"Lights on the Lake," which is launched from a barge in the lake, attracts an estimated 100,000 spectators.

The show is choreographed to patriotic music and simulcast on local radio stations KRLT-FM 93.9 and KOWL-AM 1490.

Created by Pyro Spectaculars, Inc. and fired by Pyrodigital Consultants, this year's show will feature an American soundtrack and international shell patterns imported from Spain, Italy and China. Traditional Kamuro shells will highlight the opening as a gigantic chandler pattern in the sky before streaming down, above the lake.

Also new to this year's display are mine shells which will rise in columns of colors in sync with orchestral horn fanfares.

"Lights on the Lake" Fourth of July Fireworks display will illuminate the sky on Wednesday, from 9:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.