St. Clair Shores

Fireworks set to music for first time

By Kristyne E. Demske
C & G Staff Writer

Summertime pyrotechnics are a tradition dating back centuries, and this year will be no different when the 2012 Fireworks Extravaganza kicks off with a bang June 29.

Once again sponsored by First State Bank, the 27-minute show will begin at dusk off the coast of Veterans Memorial Park on Jefferson Avenue, at Masonic Boulevard. This year, though, the show will be synchronized with music in the park and broadcast on a low-frequency radio station, 87.9 FM, for about a mile radius around the park.

“We’re excited,” said Maureen Antushevich, chairwoman of the St. Clair Shores Activities Committee. “We’ve been hoping to do that for several years.”

Like the 2011 show, visitors will need $2 wristbands to enter the park, available now at Civic Arena. Parking passes can also be purchased for $5 to guarantee a spot in the lot on the northwest corner of Jefferson and Masonic. There will be no parking on Masonic Boulevard this year, a fact that concerned City Councilman Peter Rubino at a recent City Council meeting.

“My concern is the neighboring streets. Last year, they were here begging us for help,” he said. “It’s a nightmare, and you can literally get stuck in a street and not move for the entire night.”

Nevertheless, the parking lot will open at 1 p.m. that Friday, and Veterans Memorial Park will open at 2 p.m. The Splash Zone will be open and available until dusk, and there will be music to entertain the crowds until the show, as well: Outrageous Jams by Jamie will spin tunes from 1-5 p.m., and Elite Entertainment will take over from 5 p.m. until the fireworks start.

As always, no alcohol or pets are allowed in the park.

In addition to the park’s concession stand, Mastro’s Ice Cream and National Coney Island will also be on hand to sell food and refreshments to visitors, and the Activities Committee will be selling glow necklaces and light-up batons for the children’s enjoyment, as well.

“That’s new this year, too,” Antushevich said. “Hoping for great weather and hope everybody comes out.”

The Activities Committee will be selling wristbands and taking donations to defray the cost of the $40,000 show on June 22 at Guastello’s Village Market, 28510 Harper Ave.

“They’re going to let us be in the vestibule,” said Activities Committee Vice Chairman Bill Miller. He said the committee raised $400 over two nights in 2011 doing the same thing.

Great Lakes Fireworks will provide the fireworks, and Antushevich stressed that the show and security is all paid for through sponsorships, admission charges and donations.

“It doesn’t cost the city anything,” she said. “We cover every expense.”
 

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Kristyne E. Demske at kdemske@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1041.