By Billy Davis

If you plan to watch the fireworks show Saturday night in Batesville, High-Tech Special Effects owner Randy Bast has some advice for you.

Get as close as you can.  

“It’s designed to be seen from the parking lot,” he said, referring to venue the Batesville Civic Center.

Fourth of July revelers are known to fill the Lowe’s parking lot and other spaces nearby, with an expectation to enjoy the fireworks and avoid an onslaught of departing automobiles at the BCC.

But the pyrotechnic expert says the 15-minute show, which is set to music, is best viewed at the civic center itself.

The City of Batesville is bringing back High-Tech, a Memphis-based company, to light up the sky with a fireworks finale at the July 4th celebration.

The July 4th event includes children’s activities and live music starting at 6:30.

Admission is free.

The fireworks show, which costs $10,000, is set to start at 10 p.m. Three High-Tech workers will set up and operate the show in an open field behind the civic center.

Bast said the fireworks over Batesville will climb as high as 600 feet. The shells climb approximately 100 feet for each inch and some of those coming to Batesville are six-inch shells, he explained.

High-Tech clients have included Kiss and World Championship Wrestling, and his company performs for the Grizzlies and Memphis Redbirds.

A Memphis Business Journal story relates that Bast worked in Memphis for a Canadian special effects company before he and wife Melissa started the Memphis company with $3,000.

The company has done special effects for music videos, too, such as the rain-and-flames “Hero” video for Christian rockers Skillet.

Bast said the music video shows shooting “fireballs” at the end, a special effect that High-Tech will also bring to Batesville tomorrow night.

“People see the flames and think something went wrong. It happens every time,” said Bast.

“I have the best job in the world,” said Bast. “I get to blow things up.”

Entertainers at the 4th of July celebration include the Willy Waggs and Tomfoolery.

Also planned are a petting zoo, pony rides, rock climbing wall, inflatables, monster truck rides and concessions.

Co-sponsors with the City of Batesville are Mississippi Distributors, Inc., First Security Bank, Zaxby’s, Country 101 WBLE, Treasurer Loans and The Panolian, and Oxford radio station Q93.7.