GULF SHORES, Ala. — Options abound for watching fireworks along the Gulf Coast as America celebrates another birthday on Saturday.

In Gulf Shores, the tradition of shooting fireworks from a barge continues, as it has for several decades.

“Years ago, GulfTel (now CenturyTel) sponsored the fireworks show in Gulf Shores,” said Teri Westbrook, Special Events Coordinator for the city of Gulf Shores. “Then in 1983, they informed us that they would no longer be sponsoring the fireworks and that is when the city took over as sponsor and producer of the event.”

Ever since, a barge full of colorful fireworks has dropped anchor off the coast where Highway 59 intersects with Beach Boulevard and put on quite a show during one of the busiest tourist weekends of the year.

This year, Pyro Shows from LaFollettee, Tenn. will be presenting the fireworks show in Gulf Shores. Pyro Shows has produced shows all over the country for clients such as the National Park Service in Washington, D.C. and the nation’s Independence Day Celebration.  They are replacing Pyrotecnico who produced the fireworks in 2008.

The annual fireworks show costs the city around $45,000 but city leaders believe the return on the investment is substantial because it brings so many guests to town.

Beginning at 9 p.m., the show is accompanied by patriotic music that can be heard on local radio station Sunny 105.7 FM.

Firework festivities get started a day earlier in Orange Beach with the annual Fireworks Gala and Barbecue at the Perdido Beach Resort on Friday, beginning at 6 p.m.

An outdoor concert on the beach deck by Mr. Big and his band will keep the party hopping and delicious food from the grill will be served. Admission to the event is $30 for adults and $15 for children under 12. Kids four and under are admitted free. For those just wanting to check out the fireworks, they can be viewed from any public beach in Orange Beach and will begin at 9 p.m.

The Wharf will host a July 4 Celebration on Saturday with games for children, a hot-dog eating contest, fireworks, and a concert by country music groups Montgomery Gentry and Little Big Town as part of the Pepsi Star Series. Events will be going on all day and the concert will start at 7 p.m.

For those eager to get the celebration started early, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Bon Secour will be holding a fish fry July 2. The fish fry will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. The menu includes fried mullet, hush puppies, potato salad, coleslaw with special dressing, baked beans and homemade desserts. The cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children. The meals will be served in the church’s parish hall. Take out dinners will be available.

“We will also host fish fries on the first Thursdays of August and September, so mark your calendar,” said Joyce Alden, president of the sponsoring Episcopal Church Women of St. Peter’s Church.

The church is located in Bon Secour at the intersection of county roads 10 and 49.

AAA Monday projected the number of Americans traveling on vacation this Fourth of July holiday weekend will decrease 1.9 percent from 2008 with approximately 37.1 million travelers taking a trip of 50 or more miles away from home.

Last year, 37.8 million Americans traveled during the same period; a 10.5 percent decline from the 42.3 million travelers who vacationed in 2007.

AAA said the projected slight decline in leisure travel is mainly due to ongoing uncertainty about the strength of the economy; especially rising joblessness and sagging personal incomes.

“Many Americans remain cautious about the outlook for their personal finances and these attitudes are reflected in the slight decline in travel we are forecasting for the upcoming holiday weekend,” said Clay Ingram, AAA Alabama spokesperson. “Those who do vacation this summer will find a plethora of attractive discounts and special offers resulting in some outstanding vacation values. If you can afford to go, this summer is a smart time to travel."

Travelers will find the current national average for regular gasoline is $2.64 per gallon, while the Alabama average for regular unleaded has recently dropped four cents to $2.51 per gallon.