Fun for the entire family, food, live music and entertainment - not to mention 20 percent more fireworks - are on tap for Boomsday XVIII set to take place on the downtown Knoxville waterfront at Neyland Drive and Volunteer Landing Sunday, Sept. 4, 2005.

This year's 18th annual event now has the title of "the nation's largest Labor Day fireworks display," according to Lansden Hill, national pyrotechnics expert and owner of Pyro Shows of LaFollette, Tenn., the company in charge of setting off tons of fireworks beginning at 9:30 p.m. and lasting for 30-minutes. Boomsday XVIII will feature themed fireworks choreographed to music that will be projected into the crowd on a new and enhanced sound system. 

Neyland Drive officially opens for fun at 3 p.m. Sunday. A "Goody's Family Fun Zone," live musical entertainment, exhibitor tents, and food vendors serving more than 40 food options are also part of the activities. Admission into the "Goody's Family Fun Zone" will be $10 for a "Fun Pass" or $5 for a "Fun Pack." A portion of the proceeds from the Fun Zone sales will be donated to the East Tennessee Children's Hospital. Plus, spectators will have the opportunity to pick up collectors' edition Boomsday XVIII T-shirts and souvenirs. 

Six musical acts featuring local, regional and national talent catering to several diverse musical tastes include the rock-n-roll sounds of "Todd Steed & the Suns of Phere," "Michael Shapiro Band," and "J-Henry Band." Additionally, spectators will enjoy the country sounds of "Emmalee" and "Shelley Ruffin," and the music of American Junior Idol finalist, Katelyn Tarver. 
Watching the 30-minute fireworks show is free. Food and drink will be sold. The "Family Fun Zone" will be open from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. and there will be a nominal cost for games and other activities. 

This year's Boomsday XVIII musical soundtrack will include popular songs common to Top 40 formatted radio stations, and the show promises to feature more patriotic themed music including standards such as Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA." Plus, the spectacular show would not be complete without the traditional salute to the University of Tennessee with the playing of "Rocky Top."

According to Gloria Ray, President and CEO of the Knoxville Tourism & Sports Corporation (KTSC), 300,000 spectators are expected to attend Boomsday XVIII. 

"Knoxville is the place to be in Tennessee Labor Day weekend," Ray said. "What a great way to celebrate the end of summer with UT football's home opener on Saturday and Boomsday XVIII on Sunday. We hope that all the fans that come into town for the football game stay in town an extra day or two to take advantage of Sunday's great celebration on the waterfront."

WBIR-TV will air Boomsday XVIII in its entirety during a special one-hour primetime broadcast beginning at 8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 5.
For more information on "Boomsday XVIII," call 865-523-7263 or 1-800-727-8045.