By Ginny Cooper McCarley / Special to the Reporter

ALABASTER – Westwood Baptist Church will celebrate with a bang at the sixth annual tailgate and fireworks show set for June 28.

“It’s a great event,” said Executive Pastor Rick Swing. “Lots of fun, lots of great food, and of course the fireworks are the highlight.”

The tradition began in 2009, and is designed as a fellowship for all of the church’s adult small group classes. Each class brings their own grills and meat, and cook delicious treats on church grounds.

“Everybody down South loves a tailgate,” Swing laughed. “Our parking lot will be absolutely full.”

The event begins with a picnic and fellowship at 6 p.m., and a fireworks show will light up the night after the sun sets, around 8 p.m. The fireworks last for approximately 40 minutes, and often members of the community will come for the show.

“A lot of times people in the community know (about the show) and will come down and watch the fireworks,” Swing said.

Though the fireworks show is on the smaller than many more commercial events, the fireworks are so close that it often seems larger than life.

“It’s not Thunder on the Mountain, but when (the fireworks) are right there at you, it can seem that way,” Swing said.

The fireworks might be the highlight of the annual event, but the tailgate is primarily centered around a time of fun and fellowship for people in the church.

“Families love it, kids love it,” Swing said. “It’s a lot of fun.”