Who gets the biggest bang out of the Fourth?
Pyrotechnicians at Lenox Square usually say their show is the largest in the Southeast, while the three-day affair at Stone Mountain also claims that status.
Superlatives aside, tons of black powder, magnesium, titanium, copper chloride and barium oxide will explode above Atlanta this weekend, and these five nighttime shows are among the city's best:
Lenox Square
How big? Three tons of explosives (4,184 pieces) provide a 16-minute show with two mini-finales before the big finish.
Highlights: Live music from Party on the Moon and A1A on an outdoor stage in the Lenox parking lot will lead up to the flash-bang.
Best place to watch the show: Patrons who pay $10 for Taste of the Fourth, a ticketed food sampling event, will have access to seats closest to the stage.
Music: Classic rock, patriotic tunes and local artists are all part of the pre-recorded soundtrack that accompanies the show.
Access: The event is free but parking after 5:30 p.m. costs $10; premier parking is $15 and provides a quicker exit through a crowd estimated at 350,000 or bigger. Monday at Lenox Square, 3393 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-233-6767; www.lenoxsquare.com.
Stone Mountain
How big? Stone Mountain says it's the only venue that provides three days of fireworks. Skyrockets light up at the conclusion of the laser show Saturday though Monday.
Highlights: The new digital laser show, in what park officials call Mountainvision, is capped with pyrotechnics launched from the ground and from the top of the rock.
Best place to sit: Crowds -- 100,000 over three days -- bring blankets and sit on Memorial Lawn, the best vantage spot for the lasers and the fireworks. The park may close the gates early once parking capacity is reached.
Music: Patriotic tunes abound, including songs from each branch of the armed forces and red-blooded ballads from Toby Keith and Lee Greenwood.
Access: The show is free with $10-per-vehicle access to the park. Saturday through Monday at Stone Mountain Park, 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain. 770-498-5690; www.stonemountainpark.com.
Marietta
How big? It's a 25-minute show featuring 969 shells ranging from 3 inches to 5 inches.
Highlights: Marietta's celebration includes a parade with floats, live music, arts and crafts, food vendors and inflatables. The finale of the fireworks show features more than 380 shells, including multicolor peonies and Thunderous Salutes.
Best place to watch the show: Head toward the square or the Kroger parking lot on Whitlock Avenue.
Music: Radio station WKHX Kicks 101.5 provides the music for the show.
Access: The fireworks are free. Monday at Marietta Square, 205 Lawrence St., Marietta. 770-429-1115; www.mariettaga.gov.
Centennial Olympic Park
How big? The 21-minute show covers two city blocks at the downtown park, with devices fired from up to 20 locations at a time.
Highlights: Fireworks will be preceded by five hours of live music, including sets by vonGrey, theKey and Crystal Bowersox of "American Idol." The fireworks display will include more than 3,500 devices in the last minute alone.
Best place to watch the show: Sit in the center of the park and bring a blanket -- but no folding chairs or rolling coolers. Go to www.centennialpark.com for a full list of what you can and cannot bring into the park.
Music: The fireworks are digitally choreographed to a mix of traditional songs and contemporary hits.
Access: The show is free. Arrive early for the music and the best seats. Monday at Centennial Olympic Park, 285 International Blvd. N.W., Atlanta. 404-223-4412; www.centennialpark.com.
Lake Lanier Islands Resort
How big? The 30-minute show includes about 4,000 shells.
Highlights: There is live entertainment on the floating stages at Big Beach and Sunset Cove.
Best place to watch the show: From the Beaches at Sunset Cove or Big Beach, inside LanierWorld.
Music: Entertainment includes two live bands, with classic rock from the Back in Time Band and country favorites from Twisted Whiskey.
Access: The charge is $8 per car. There are also boat dock reservations available at the Lake Lanier Islands website. Monday at Lake Lanier Islands Resort, 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway, Buford. 770-945-8787; www.lakelanierislands.com.
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