Fireworks and other Fourth of July events in the Ann Arbor area for 2012
Following is a roundup of Independence Day-related events in Washtenaw County:
• Hudson Mills Metropark will have its annual fireworks display on Tuesday, July 3. 10 p.m. A DJ provides music at the Activity Center starting at 7 p.m. $10 event fee charged after 5 p.m. Please keep in mind, the west-bound lane of North Territorial is often closed. Get there early, the park will shut their gates when full. The park is located at 8801 North Territorial Road, Dexter.
• Manchester will also have its annual fireworks display on Tuesday, July 3 in Carr Park at dusk. Carr Park is at 600 W. Main St., Manchester.
• Saturday, July 7, Portage Lake in Dexter Township will have fireworks scheduled at dusk. View the show at at Klave's Marina, 8789 McGregor Road in Pinckney. McGregor is off Dexter-Pinckney Road.
PARADES
• The "Ann Arbor Fourth of July Parade" will be held Wednesday, July 4 at 10 a.m. Beginning at the corner of S. State and E. William St., the parade travels through downtown Ann Arbor. The parade will feature floats, musical groups, walking groups, and many others celebrating this year’s theme, “We the People.” All Ann Arbor children 12 and younger are invited to join in the Bike Decorating Contest at 9:30 a.m. and then ride their bikes in the parade. For a map of the parade route and more information on the Bike Decorating Contest visit http://a2jaycees.org/parade or call 734-531-9626.
• Ypsilanti Area Jaycees' "83rd Annual Ypsilanti Independence Parade" will be held in Depot Town on Wednesday. 11 a.m. The parade begins on the corner of Oakwood and Cross and ends at Rice Street in Ypsilanti’s Historic Depot Town. There are over 50 participants in this year’s parade including veterans, marching bands, Elvisfest, local businesses, church groups, live bands, and classic cars.
• There will also be the "Bookmobile and Bikes on Parade" in Depot Town on Wednesday. 10:30 a.m.-noon. Decorate your bike, wagon, or tricycle and lead Ypsilanti District Library’s bookmobile in Ypsilanti’s Independence Day Parade. Children ages 10 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Call 734-482-4110 ext. 1316 for a lineup location.
OTHER EVENTS
• Whitmore Lake is once again holding a huge mulit-day bash. Tuesday: The Parade of Lights, decorated boats on the lake. Events for Wednesday: 10 a.m. - "We the People" (Join your friends and neighbors on the lawn of the library for the annual reading of great American Documents. A patriotic program for the whole family featuring townspeople costumed as famous Americans.) 10 a.m. - Kiwanis Chicken BBQ. Noon - Parade "Hand in Hand - Together We Stand." 3 p.m. - Banana Split Eating Contest. There is also a water ski show among other events. Get more information at the Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/WL4July
• The "Annual Fourth of July Chicken BBQ" will be held at the Chelsea American Legion on Wednesday. Noon-4 p.m. With BBQ chicken, coleslaw, potato chips, baked beans, a roll, and dessert. Beverages will be available. This is a benefit for the American Legion. $9. 1700 Ridge Road, Chelsea. 734-475-1964.
• The Ann Arbor Civic Band continues its "Summer Concert Season" at the West Park Band Shell on Wednesday. 8 p.m. Enjoy great music in the great outdoors. This week's theme will be a "Tribute to the USA." William Gourley conducts. Free. West Park is at 215 Chapin St., Ann Arbor. 734-994-2780.
Have your photos added to the AnnArbor.com Fourth of July holiday gallery by sending us your photos here.
Because of dry conditions, any fireworks displays could be canceled, so please call your destination if you have any doubt. A great resource for fireworks displays is http://michiganfireworks.com/.
View Fourth of July Festivities 2012 in a larger map
Comments
Pizza Man
Wed, Jul 4, 2012 : 7:28 p.m.
In the past many of my neighbors have done things to piss me off; things that I couldn't do anything about. I wasn't planning on buying any fireworks this year which is a total change from years past. But now with the change in the law you can bet your ass that I will be shooting some off in my year, now that it is legal. Thank you Governor! You got this one right! This will be the first time in my life that I will be shooting them off legally; ah, how nice!
justcurious
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 6:13 p.m.
The new fireworks law has let the demon out of the closet. People seem to care less whether they are celebrating our independence or just trying them out. Up near Lansing in several places they have postponed their fireworks displays because of the terribly dry conditions. It seems to me that safety should be first. We have already seen too many field and even lawns catch on fire. Some common sense would help here. And that includes the people putting on the fireworks shows.
Catherine Wadhams
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 4:48 p.m.
I do not deny people the right to "celebrate" the 4th of July as a holiday, nor deny the right to celebrate the freedom this country acquired, which is worthy of celebration. However, when the celebration begins a week early and includes hour long+ explosions in neighborhoods after dark and again at 1 and 2 a.m., I question where the respect and consideration the "celebrators" have for the rest of us and our pets. Let celebrations be limited to honor THE DAY itself, and please be considerate of how these prolonged disturbances affect the rest of us. One begins to wonder what the motivations are when things get this out of hand......are you really celebrating, or rebelling against common sense? I live on the far West side and will be glad when this subsides...as will my dog.
justcurious
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 6:15 p.m.
Catherine, I hope you have called the police to complain and not just done it on here.
Elijah Shalis
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 12:32 p.m.
I am a proud liberal but leave it to ultra liberals to ruin the 4th of july because of the loud noises and nationalism. I remember as a kid fireworks at the ann arbor airport. Bring those back!!!
Linda Peck
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 11:13 a.m.
This is a big THANK YOU to the Ann Arbor Police and the new Washtenaw Sheriff's Dispatcher who took my call night before last! Finally results! Last night, no fireworks after 10 pm and it was a lovely sleep. Thank you, thank you, thank you. You folks who want to party on the 4th, go right ahead! That is the right day to do it.
justcurious
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 6:15 p.m.
Good for you for being proactive.
djacks24
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 10 p.m.
I'm pretty bummed that there will not be any fireworks over Ford Lake. In recent years they would hold them for 3 evenings in a row. I think I read it was sponsored by or at Lakeshore Apartments. I read that perhaps the lack of rain has cancelled them this year. I suppose I can understand that even though the lake is right there, those apartments have a huge (mostly very dry) grass area where the disk golf course is, which if ignited could cause some serious issues. I hope they'll return maybe next year?
Julie Baker
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 4:05 p.m.
The Lakeshore Apartments annual fireworks celebration has been canceled indefinitely. Here's our story on the reason: http://bit.ly/aadc-ypsifireworks
Jim H
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 9:05 p.m.
Think of the reports as the "happy sounds" of a free people.
Ignatz
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 7:04 p.m.
I'd like to extend my thanks to the moronic legislators who voted to allow more powerful fireworks. If they would send me their home addresses, I would show my appreciation with some loud bangs when they're trying to sleep.
deres
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 5:28 p.m.
I don't buy that the reason we don't have fireworks has to do with insurance, unless there is a reason why Manchester, Jackson, Dexter Township, etc. don't have to pay for insurance, or get some discount rate compared to Ann Arbor. Or maybe they're going without insurance and taking their chances? I doubt it. There must be more than just insurance to this... If security or safety of the crowds was an issue, then I can understand the Jaycees didn't want to worry about crime or injury. Just wondering - where were the AA fireworks when they were here?
Blue Marker
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 11:02 a.m.
When they did them at Buhr Park it was right over your head. You could actually lay back on your blanket and watch them!
djacks24
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 9:54 p.m.
I remember seeing the AA Airport fireworks a few decades ago when I was young. It's been that long since they've held them.
bobslowson
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 5:56 p.m.
Though I never went...I know the Ann Arbor airport used to have fireworks on the fourth (or near the fourth)....I was always in the UP for the holiday and never had a chance to see A2 fireworks....
JGS
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 5:23 p.m.
Awesome! Our aging community once again voicing their opinions. Anyone ever have anything good or positive to say? Most of you posters are so negative and complain constantly. Your lives must be pretty bad to always complain and express negativity like you do. Smile - you're alive and breathing and your homes haven't burned down (see Colorado). Be thankful for what you have.
justcurious
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 6:19 p.m.
You'll also be "aged" IF you are lucky like we are. Or, maybe not.
Bob
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 5:44 p.m.
And yet, you keep reading and commenting . . .
anonymous
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 2:41 p.m.
Agree Agree Agree Agree. And this reflection does not apply to just the aging population, of which I am a part. As JGS said - try smiling...and look at the glass half FULL!
Tru2Blu76
Sat, Jun 30, 2012 : 4:48 a.m.
Our right to swing our fists extends only as far as a point just short of other people's noses. Or so goes the saying. Too bad that, along with a few other necessary principles, a number of people have carelessly discarded that idea. The other idea that some people seem to ignore affects everyone in the long run. That is: Freedoms, when abused enough, are going to be taken from us. As for fireworks displays: the all-time best fireworks displays were the ones put on by the Ann Arbor Jaycees. Unfortunately, insurance and security costs brought an end to those great pyrotechnic celebrations of our Independence day. Yet one more thing we can "thank" insurance companies for.
GT
Mon, Jul 2, 2012 : 1:47 p.m.
with you on personal responsibility until that last take. the insurance companies? to speak nothing of those parties against whom they found it necessary to secure and insure themselves. lack of responsibility on anyone's part chips away at liberty for all.
Myles
Sat, Jun 30, 2012 : 3:39 a.m.
So Ann arbor doesn't do fire works on 4th of July?
Blue Marker
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 11 a.m.
jns131, I believe it was the other way around. First Buhr Park and then when things got too crowded they moved them to the airport. But, either way it's a bummer the city doesn't do them anymore.
jns131
Sat, Jun 30, 2012 : 4:22 p.m.
They use to over the airport. Then by Buhr park. Got too costly for them to run it, so they rely on, yes, other cities and areas to do this. We were visiting another state and wound up parked on a hill watching 5 different areas doing their own fireworks. Pretty awesome.
Chris
Sat, Jun 30, 2012 : 4:21 a.m.
Ann Arbor the city doesn't host any fireworks. I think a lot of areas have them on the third to leave the fourth open for people to blow up their own backyards.
Linda Peck
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 9:19 p.m.
Mort, I am with you. I have had two weeks, or as you say three weeks, of very poor sleep due to all night fireworks in my west side neighborhood, Ann Arbor. People, if you object to this, call 994-2911, which is the police desk at night and they will send a car, if they have one to send. You can call as much as you like, all night long. That is what I have been doing. As you might guess, it did absolutely no good last night or the night before. However, if more people call, maybe it would do some good. HELP!!! I am sleepless on the west side!
Bcar
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 : 11:30 a.m.
...if the music is too loud... ;-)
jns131
Sun, Jul 1, 2012 : 5:14 p.m.
So with the cut backs to the AAPD they will put you on the back burner until that pressing matter is resolved. Same thing with the FD. Turn on the music or the fan. We will be out with our brand of fireworks, legal that is.
Linda Peck
Sun, Jul 1, 2012 : 12:42 a.m.
Richard, they told me to keep calling back as they will try to send a car out if they are not busy with more pressing matters. They assured me that it was fine to do that. Yes, I thought they would be saying that about me, too.
Richard
Sat, Jun 30, 2012 : 8:01 p.m.
Turn on a fan for some white noise. It works for me. They probably aren't sending out anyone and when you call they say "Its that lady again"
jns131
Sat, Jun 30, 2012 : 4:20 p.m.
But from what I was told they probably will not start coming out until after 2AM. This is what the WCSD told us. The noise ordinance goes into effect at 2AM. The under 18 group ordinance goes into effect at 10PM. Truancy is a big issue with WCSD and will send the wagons around to enforce it.
amlive
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 9:19 p.m.
If we don't get any good rain by then, I'll be in by back yard with a garden hose putting out brush fires as the embers fall.
golfer
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 7:18 p.m.
fireworks started three weeks ago. i sure hope it stops when the 4th is here. especially at 10pm.
Pizza Man
Wed, Jul 4, 2012 : 7:17 p.m.
I wouldn't count on it!