BAY MINETTE, Ala. — Independence Day festivities typically includes swimming, grilling out or spending time with family and friends. But no Fourth of July celebration would be complete without a fireworks display.

Monday will be no different, as the Rotary Club of Bay Minette will host its annual fireworks display Monday night.

The event will be held at approximately 9 p.m. or dark at the old tennis courts beside the football field at Bay Minette Elementary School, which is located at 800 Blackburn Ave., Rotary Club member Scott Lewis said during a telephone interview. The stadium will not be open, but viewers may park around the perimeter and watch from vehicles, tailgates, blankets or lawn chairs.

While previous years’ events have been coupled with everything from parades to carnival activities, this year will feature a 15-20 minute firework show minus additional festivities, according to Rotary Club Treasurer Neil Covington.

“My job is to get the fireworks ordered,” he said during a telephone interview. “We pay for part of it while the rest comes from donations and the city.”

Rotary Club member Jimmy Faulkner Jr., explained that members pay for more than half of the expense. In previous years, the club has spent between $10,000 and $11,000 on fireworks, but difficult economic times have decreased spending to about $7,500 this year.

“In this day and time, people say you should save money,” he said. “But I think it does something good for Bay Minette.”

Faulkner recalled the start of July 4th festivities in 1978, as he joined the Rotary Club in 1960 after its inception in the early 1950s.

“Bay Minette didn’t have one (a fireworks display) back then, but Fairhope had a big one and Mobile and Gulf Shores,” he said. “So we got out and raised money.”