“Flying saucers” will make an appearance in the sky May 5 at Mars New Year.

Fireworks called girandolas, horizontal spinning wheels that look like flying saucers rising into the air, will be featured as part of a fireworks display to close out the second night of the three-day festival.

“That was one special effect that was requested for Mars New Year,” said Mayor Gregg Hartung.

After the last speaker of the night, a countdown to ring in Mars New Year will begin around 9:45 p.m., said Mike Harvey, event chairman. The digital screen on the main stage will countdown to 10 p.m. while showing a video of NASA’s highlights over the years.

The fireworks are set to go off at 10 p.m. Kellner’s Fireworks of Harrisville is putting on the display, and Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau is sponsoring the show.

The fireworks will be launched from reservoir hill, to the east of downtown Mars.

While the show will have assorted colors, designs and effects, the highlight will be the girandolas, Hartung said. A girandola is a ground-effect firework that rotates quickly enough to launch itself into the air and explodes once it reaches its peak.