Gulf Shores Fourth of July Fireworks Set for July 4 at 9 p.m. Under $48,000 Pyro Shows Contract
The city's annual Independence Day display will return to the Alabama Gulf State Pier on Saturday, July 4 at 9 p.m. The City Council reviewed the contract and a related state-parks Memorandum of Understanding at its May 18 work session.
Gulf Shores will host its annual Fourth of July fireworks show on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at 9 p.m. off the Alabama Gulf State Pier, under a $48,000 contract with Pyro Shows that came before the City Council at its May 18 work session for review.
According to the staff agenda summary, the recommended action authorizes the mayor to sign two related documents:
- The contract with Pyro Shows for the fireworks display itself
- A Memorandum of Understanding with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, State Parks Division to use the Gulf State Pier as the launch site
Page 30 of the May 18 meeting packet — staff agenda summary.
Page 31 of the May 18 meeting packet — Financial Impact and Key Dates.
Show details from the packet
The Pyro Shows site workbook included in the meeting packet lists the specifics:
- Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
- Time: 9:00 p.m.
- Launch site: 561 East Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores (the Gulf State Park pier)
- Maximum device size: 6-inch shells
- Safety fallout radius: 420 feet
- Setup window: Load-in starts 3 p.m. July 3; cleanup and pier vacate by 6 a.m. July 5
The contract amount of $48,000 is included in the city's 2026 budget under account 551-65710, per the agenda item summary.
The vendor
The contract attached to the meeting packet is with Pyro Shows, Inc. of LaFollette, Tennessee. According to the company's website, Pyro Shows has been in business since 1969 and operates across Tennessee, Alabama, Texas and South Carolina. Its East Coast division — based in Catawba, South Carolina — joined the company through a 2021 merger with the former East Coast Pyrotechnics.
A 30-year tradition
The staff narrative notes that "for over 30 years, the City of Gulf Shores has annually contracted a professional vendor to design and display fireworks in celebration of Independence Day," with each show custom-designed for Gulf Shores. The Gulf State Park pier is used because it provides "a sufficient fallout safety area and a display visible to residents and visitors for miles." The Fire Marshal, Public Works Director, and Alabama State Parks staff consulted on safety logistics.
Because work sessions do not take formal votes, the council was expected to take final action on the contract and MOU at a subsequent regular meeting.