PLAN AHEAD FOR FIREWORKS
Core streets to close Monday night
For many Windsorites, the annual Detroit River fireworks show remains one of their favourite nights of the year.
The 61st annual show will be held Monday night thanks to official sponsor Ford.
“We are incredibly appreciative of Ford Motor Company’s continued commitment to this annual event and for all they do in our community,” said Tony Michaels, CEO of The Parade Company in Detroit, the show’s producer.
“Ford, along with all of our many generous sponsors, help to keep this tradition alive for our great city to enjoy.”
The 25-minute show gets underway at roughly 9:55 p.m., with plans to shoot off roughly 10,000 fireworks by longtime show coordinator Zambelli Fireworks, a family business in New Castle, Pa.
With so much rain in recent weeks, there remains a chance of postponement due to poor weather on Monday night. If the weather fails to co-operate, the fireworks show will be bumped to the following night at the same time on Tuesday.
Windsor police will begin road closures around 6 p.m. within the city’s core near the riverfront stretching from the Ambassador Bridge on the west end to Devonshire Road on the east end.
For those looking to avoid traffic tie-ups, there is a free bike lockup located at Charles Clark Square, which will be staffed throughout the night to keep them safe.
Transit Windsor — courtesy of local Zehrs stores — is offering free shuttle rides to the fireworks show. Last year, 6,800 riders avoided parking issues and road closures by taking the free ride from the Devonshire Mall to City Hall Square and a return trip.
The shuttle service runs from 6 p.m. until midnight.
Windsor police will have added patrollers on duty in the core on both foot and bikes to aid with traffic flow and safety, said Sgt. Steve Betteridge.
“What’s great about an annual event like this is everyone in our community knows what to expect,” he said.
“There will be a number of road closures starting at 6 p.m. and there will be a steady stream of people coming down to enjoy the show.
“This has become a very family-oriented event, so the last several years we have had no major problems at all.”
Betteridge provided a reminder that no use of alcohol is permitted within the road closure areas.
“What we ask for is everyone to have patience throughout the night,” he said.
“You have people arriving over several hours, then when the show is over everyone exits at once. There will be a lot of pedestrians and vehicles coming out of the area, so we just ask everyone to be patient and keep your head up on your surroundings.”
For those wanting to watch from home, the fireworks show can be viewed on WDIV-LOCAL 4’s live broadcast beginning at 8 p.m. The radio music simulcast is on News/ Talk 760 WJR.
For more information about the fireworks show, call 311 or visit online at city.windsor.ca.