BERRYVILLE -- Organizers of the 4th of July fireworks display atop Saunders Heights are excited about the event, which will feature patriotic music to accompany the fireworks show, plus non-profit booths at the fairgrounds below, where people can park for a premier viewing opportunity.

More than $10,000 was raised for the event, which is scheduled for Friday evening, July 4.

According to Rex Wisdom, one of the organizers, the pyrotechnician responsible for the fireworks display told him Saunders Heights was one of the best locations he had ever come across.

Spectators will not be allowed on the mountain that evening, but the fireworks can reportedly be viewed from as far away as Reeds Spring, Mo.

The rockets, Wisdom said, are expected to be launched 800 feet high and be 1,200 feet in width. "There are some big ones expected," he said.

At the fairgrounds, located at the base of Saunders Heights, people are welcome to park and view the fireworks from their vehicles or lawn chairs.

Church, youth and other non-profit groups can set up booths on the grounds to sell concessions, he said, but should call him first so they don't end up with 10 groups all selling watermelons. He can be reached at (870) 654-2905.

Tim Poynter, general manager of KTHS Radio, was excited about the part the radio station is playing in the event.

Poynter has prepared a CD of music, including all armed services theme songs, that will be aired over the radio to coincide with the fireworks show.

The music will be a tribute to local soldiers serving with National Guard units overseas, he explained.

In addition, he said the station will be releasing for the first time, "Christmas in July," a song written by his former schoolmate David Allen Baker, who now lives in California producing and performing music for TV shows and cable productions.

Poynter said he didn't want to give too much away, except to say "Christmas in July" is a song about a reservist who gets called up in November, goes to Iraq and misses Christmas in December with his family back home.

He played the song for the fireworks pyrotechnician and it brought tears to his eyes, Poynter said.

The radio broadcast from atop Saunders Heights will get underway at 9:04 p.m. that evening, he said, and will include interviews with Berryville Mayor Tim McKinney, the pyrotechnician, and a "voice-over" dedication by Baker from his California home, prior to the release of his song, "Christmas in July."

The patriotic music and accompanying fireworks display are to follow, at approximately 9:30 p.m.