The booms, pops and sizzles of an organized fireworks show will return this Fourth of July to downtown Antioch after three years of silence.

The pyrotechnics will end an evening celebration featuring a parade, a car show and entertainment paid for by community donations.

“I’m definitely excited,” said former Antioch City Councilwoman Martha Parsons, a key member of the 15-person group organizing the event. “We started getting ready last year, so to see it finally come together is very fulfilling.”

The fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m., preceded by a parade at 7 p.m. and car show at 5 p.m. The event features a circus performer, two Clydesdale horses, six food vendors, two DJs and a place for kids to play.

Festivities downtown on the Fourth have been significantly scaled down the last two years, and included no fireworks, which prompted the committee to form and begin raising funds for a full-blown Fourth.

According to Parsons, the community has rallied to the cause. So far, 103 donors have come forward to defray about $60,000 of the $65,000 cost of the event. Donations ranging from $2.80 to $25,000 have come pouring in since the call went out to the community about a year ago.

If the $65,000 goal isn’t met, the event will still go forward on a slightly scaled-down level. The fireworks, which alone cost $20,000, have already been secured. To increase the patriotic impact of the display, the fireworks will be synchronized to music.

Preparations for Antioch’s Fourth of July bash are well underway. The Antioch Garden Club recently spruced up 50 planter boxes with flowers and mulch along Second and G Streets. Parade applications are being accepted, and local eateries such as Fuddruckers and Straw Hat Pizza have already agreed to sell food.

“As they say on Thanksgiving, we are going to have the turkey and all the trimmings,” committee member Walter Ruehlig said at the June 12 City Council meeting.

A special section designated for dignitaries and select sponsors will be set up, providing free food for the 100 VIPs plus parking at Prospects High School.

Sponsors that donate $500 get two VIP parking spots and two VIP seats to view the fireworks; $1,000 increases the number of parking spots and viewing seats to four; and $2,500 donations secures eight parking spots and viewing seats.

Parsons said fundraising efforts got off to a slow start, but gained steam on the heels of big donations from GenOn Energy and the office of Supervisor Federal Glover.

“We’re excited,” said organizing committee member Joy Motts. “It’s going to be a wonderful event.”

For more information or to donate to the Fourth of July celebration, visit www.antiochjuly4th.com.