The Wawasee Property Owners Association proudly presents
Lake Wawasee Fireworks — Wawasee250, July 4, 2026
Commemorating America's 250th anniversary with a Lake Wawasee-wide summer celebration of our country and our community.
The summer at a glance↓
Flag • Festival • Flotilla • Flyover • Fireworks
The Wawasee250 Celebration
From a flag on every member's pier to the largest fireworks show in our lake's history, Wawasee250 marks America's 250th birthday the way Lake Wawasee does best: together. Here is the summer, start to finish.
All Summer Long
The Flag
It starts with a flag, and the flag starts with membership. The commemorative Wawasee250 flag is free to WPOA members, and joining is the only way to get one. Members fly it all summer, a shared mark of pride pier to pier around the lake. Not a member yet? Join, and yours is on the way.
Friday, July 3
The Festival
The weekend opens with a free lakefront morning built for members and their families: the commissioning of our brand-new fireworks barge fleet, a live safe-firing demonstration, hands-on crafts for the kids, food, music, and free professional photos for members and their families.
Saturday, July 4
The Flotilla
A Lake Wawasee tradition turns 65. This year's parade of boats takes the theme America the Beautiful, 250 Years Strong, with classic Century boats leading the way for their own 100th anniversary. The day starts on land with the Flotilla Road Race.
Saturday, July 4 • Overhead
The Flyover
Look up. During the Flotilla, the WPOA brings in The Skyliners, a precision aerobatic team flying restored 1950s T-34 Mentor warbirds, passing directly over the lake in tight formation. A salute from the sky to cap the parade on the water.
Saturday, July 4 • 10:30 PM • Center of Lake Wawasee
The Fireworks Spectacular
The largest fireworks show in Lake Wawasee's history. Twelve brand-new barges, built right here in Syracuse, join six from the existing fleet to fire a 23-minute spectacular from the center of the lake, scored to an original America the Beautiful composition and broadcast live over the air on Willie 103.5 FM so the whole lake hears it together.
Tune your radio to 103.5 FM. Don't stream, it runs seconds behind the sky.
Fired by Zambelli professional pyrotechnics • original score by West Point composer SFC Noah D. Taylor • new barge fleet built by Swiss Perfection of Syracuse.
SFC Noah D. Taylor · USMA Band
Commissioned for Wawasee250
An original score, written at West Point
This show is scored, not shuffled. The WPOA commissioned Sergeant First Class Noah D. Taylor, staff composer for the all-enlisted United States Military Academy Band, to write an original arrangement of America the Beautiful for Wawasee250. It opens the 23-minute spectacular with full ceremonial weight and returns in the finale to bring the night full circle, an emotional arc built for the pyrotechnic team to choreograph against.
America's 250th deserves more than a standard show, and SFC Taylor's score gives the evening the weight and the heart it needs. Chris Campbell · WPOA Fireworks & Wawasee250 Chair
Hear it live, July 4 at 10:30 PM on Willie 103.5 FM
Wear the Summer
Merchandise
Take home a piece of the celebration. Wawasee250 caps, tees, and keepsakes are available at the Festival tent and in the WPOA Member Store. Every purchase supports the lake.
Be Part of It
Volunteer
The Festival runs on neighbors helping neighbors. Join the shuttle crew, the check-in tents, the kids' activities, setup, or tear-down. It is the best seat in the house, and a great way for teens to earn volunteer hours.
Make the show possible
Fuel the Fireworks
The new barge fleet is paid in full thanks to this community. Now your gift to the 2026 Fireworks Fund powers the show itself: every shell, every position, every minute over the water on the Fourth. Any amount helps light up the lake.
Donate to the 2026 Fireworks FundThe Wawasee Property Owners Association is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Learn more
About the WPOA
Wawasee250 is brought to you by the Wawasee Property Owners Association, the nonprofit that has protected and served Lake Wawasee for generations. For $100 a year, members fund the year-round work that keeps the lake safe, healthy, and connected.
- Sheriff lake patrol, on the water all season
- Invasive weed control and water-quality monitoring
- Dike and shoreline infrastructure protection
- Community programs, traditions, and celebrations like this one
Join your neighbors. Protect the lake. Be part of every celebration to come.
Become a member