INDIAN LAKE - Plenty of places have fireworks. But fireworks over a lake, that's a category unto itself.
Indian Lake is home to an Independence Day celebration that will be held Saturday at Old Field Beach. The day begins with events at 11 a.m. and doesn't end until the fireworks show at 10 p.m.
The fireworks, by Zambelli Fireworks, draw quite the crowd. The show, which lasts about a half hour beginning at 10 p.m., is shot off from shore but is visible from many points around the lake.
"I've been told they're one of the best (shows) in the state of Ohio," said Pam Miller, executive director of the Indian Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.
The day begins at 11 a.m. with a car show. It's $10 per car to register at the event, with dash plaques given to the first 150 cars. PT Cruisers are the featured car this year, said Teri Frymyer, car show organizer, and she expects quite a group of vintage motorcycles as well.
All vehicles are welcome, and proceeds benefit a local charity called Friends Serving Friends. That group helps out wherever there is a need, big or small. Frymyer expects about 100 cars for the show, and 16 trophies will be awarded.
"It's growing. There's so many other things going on that day right in the same area that are free," Frymyer said. "It's just a big day."
A cornhole tournament will begin at about 11:30 a.m., with cash prizes given to the first- and second-place teams.
The Teeny Weeny Bikini Contest kicks off at 11 a.m., a pageant for toddlers up to age 2. Pageants continue through the morning and afternoon, each beginning as the previous ends. There are pageants for several age groups, closing with Miss Indian Lake for ages 14 to 18 at 2:30 p.m.
At 3:30 p.m., the Indian Lake's Got Talent Finals will begin. There are 14 contestants in the adult class and six in the younger class, which includes ages 12 to 18, Miller said. In the past, organizers held Indian Lake Idol. Because of "American Idol" eligibility rules, it was only open to ages 16 to 29.
"We opened it up to older ones and younger ones this year and changed the name," Miller said. "We changed it this year so more people could get involved."
Various food vendors will be set up at Old Field Beach, and families are welcome to spend the afternoon swimming. Bring your lawnchairs be prepared to stay a while, Miller said.
"Get there early and plan on staying late," she said. "It takes two hours to get away from the lake afterward, but people do it because they're so neat. They take their boats out. It looks like a city out in the middle of the lake with all the lights."
Tune in to WPKO 98.3 for fireworks coverage.
