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Final preparations underway for largest fireworks celebration in the South

ATLANTA — Final preparations are being made for the largest fireworks celebration in the South, "Georgia Salutes America."

It's happening July Fourth at Centennial Olympic Park starting at 8:30 p.m.

Lenox Square decided not to put on a July Fourth spectacular of its own this year, but it did contribute to the fireworks festivities being put together right now at Centennial Olympic Park.

Channel 2's Wendy Corona was able to get a sneak peek at what patrons will be able to see when the night sky lights up Tuesday.

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The planning for the fireworks show was all done using a special pyrotechnic computer.

One firework designer said that a fire module can shoot up to 32 devices.

A team of up to 14 pyrotechnic experts worked around the rain to keep the firework powder dry in preparation for a 15-minute show that’s sure to awe.

“We’ve got about 50 percent more product in the show this year than we’ve had in the past,” firework show designer Brian Panther said. And before the blast it’ll all start with the musical selection.

“We look at a lot of things that are trending on the music scene here and we also take some of our patriotic favorites,” Panther told Corona.

They then blend the music and fireworks together to create sparkles on certain notes, for example.

“So this shell (of a firework) has a very specific address and ties into a very specific module, so it goes up in the air at a very specific time,” firework show designer Randy Baumeister said.

“I think the audience is going to notice a much more intense, a much more upbeat and fast paced show this year," Panther said.

It’ll be the team's 11th year producing the July Fourth show and it takes three days just to set up the fireworks.

The show itself will feature Bobby Brown, Cece Peniston, Ann Nesby and Kristian Bust.

Don’t worry if you’re unable to make it out to the fun event. We’ll have live coverage starting at 8:30 p.m. on WSB-TV. 

Channel 2's Jovita Moore, anchor of Channel 2 Action News at 5, 6, and 11 p.m., and Channel 2's sports director Zach Klein will be hosting this special event.