Harrison Township

Fireworks return to Harrison Township

By Julie Snyder
C & G Staff Writer

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — It’s been two decades since Lake St. Clair Metropark in Harrison Township has hosted an Independence Day fireworks show.

Mike Lyons, eastern district manager for Huron-Clinton Metroparks, said it’s not clear why the fireworks show came to an end back in the mid-1980s, but since five of their other metroparks host annual shows, it seemed best to bring it back to Macomb County.

“The fireworks shows attract our bigger crowds of the year,” said Lyons. “I expect record crowds here this year.”

The show will begin at 10 p.m. on July 2.

Lyons urges those who plan to attend arrive early because the parking lot fills quickly, as do the grassy areas to accommodate overflow.

All of the park’s attractions will be open during the day, including the pool and the beach adventure golf course. The par 3 course will be closed for the day because of its close proximity to the fireworks launch area, Lyons said.

“It will be a great day to come out early and picnic and make a day of it,” he said.

In the event of rain, Lyons said it is up to the fireworks company — Wolverine Fireworks — to decide whether the 25-minute show will go on.

]Visitors are able to bring their own food and beverages, and beer and wine is allowed as long they are not in glass containers. No liquor is allowed.

Harrison Township Supervisor Kenneth Verkest said he welcomes the return of the fireworks; though, like Lyons, he is concerned about a potential traffic jam that night.

“We would like to see it (the fireworks show) become an annual thing,” Verkest said. “I expect the show will be observable from many of the surrounding neighborhoods.”

Lyons calls this year’s return fireworks a “test run” to see what they should or can add or change for 2013.

Verkest added that the July 2 show won’t be the only light show this Independence Day; Belle Maer Harbor and MacRay Harbor will be hosting their own fireworks display over the Clinton River on July 4.

Fireworks at Lake Erie Metropark in Brownstown will be June 30; Stony Creek’s is on July 1; Hudson Mills Metropark’s show near Dexter and Ann Arbor is on July 3; and Willow Metropark near New Boston will have its show on July 4. Kensington Metropark’s fireworks show was held June 16.

Visitors will pay the normal $5 daily fee to enter the park until 5 p.m. that day. After 5 p.m., the charge will be $10. Visitors with an annual park pass will not be charged.
 

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Julie Snyder at jsnyder@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1039.