VIDALIA — Fireworks over the Mississippi River will once again mark the turn of a new decade for the Miss-Lou community this Tuesday on New Year’s Eve.

The sky will light up in bursts of color at approximately 6:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, once the barge, from where the fireworks are being launched, hits the right spot on the water, Vidalia Beautification Committee spokesperson Sabrina Doré said. 

Doré said the fireworks show is graciously support by local governments, business owners and individual supporters who sponsor the event from both sides of the river.

“It’s going to be between 10 and 15 minutes long, which costs approximately $11,000,” Doré said. “We have generous sponsors all over the Miss-Lou that help us do this.”

Doré said pyrotechnic artist Curtis Elkins helped shake things up this year for a unique show.

“It should be a pretty spectacular show this year,” she said. “We’re experimenting and trying out different sized shells that do different things besides pop in the air, just to see how folks respond to it. We do appreciate the feedback.”

Doré encouraged attendees to leave their comments on the Fireworks Over the Mighty Mississippi page on Facebook so that the show can continue to improve.

The fireworks are best seen from either the Vidalia Riverfront or the Natchez Bluff, Doré said.

To get locals into the holiday spirit, Doré said the Vidalia Beautification Committee also hosted a storefront decorating contest last week, in which United Mississippi Bank of Vidalia took first prize for the second year in a row.

The Ferriday Garden Club helped judge decorations by a number of other different categories as well, Doré said.

Best window display went to Johnny’s Pizza, best traditional display to J&J Carpet, most whimsical display to the Vidalia Community Health Center and second place overall to Guice Barber Shop.

The overall winner received a large trophy to display at their business and six months of free radio advertising, courtesy of 107.1 The River, Doré said.

After the fireworks ring in 2020, Mardi Gras season is just around the corner, and this year The Beautification Committee is partnering with the Krewe of Vidal to begin prepping for their annual Mardi Gras Parade, Doré said.

The parade takes place Feb. 15, Doré said, adding all who want to participate should contact organizer Cassandra Lynch at 318-518-7656 or message the Vidalia Beautification Committee or the Krewe of Vidal on social media.