Detroit’s Ford Fireworks: What You Need to Know

The 65th Annual Ford Fireworks are set to glisten over the Detroit River on Monday (June 26). The show will take place at 10:06 p.m. and last for 24 minutes. The event, produced by The Parade Company, the big event is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of people to the city.

"Hundreds of thousands of spectators will line the shores of the Detroit River to enjoy the Ford Fireworks June 26," City officials said in a press release. "To make it an enjoyable experience, the City of Detroit and the State of Michigan will enforce access restrictions to Hart Plaza and Belle Isle. In addition, a number of riverside parks will be closed June 26."

Three areas have been identified by Detroit as the best places to view the fireworks. Those areas are Hart Plaza, Belle Isle (viewing from the MacArthur Bridge will not be permitted) and Spirit Plaza. Hart Plaza and Spirit Plaza will be open to the general public until they are full. You can't gather or set up at the spots until 2 p.m. on June 26. Also, on Monday, re-entry will not be allowed at Hart Plaza or Spirit Plaza. Anyone entering either plaza will be subject to security screening. Belle Isle Park will open on June 26 at 2:00 p.m. for vehicular traffic until capacity is reached.

Areas that will be closed during the event include the following:

RiverWalk in its entirety including Milliken State Park/Harbor
AB Ford Park, 100 Lenox
Gabriel Richard Park, 7130 E. Jefferson
Mariner Park, 14700 Riverside Blvd.
Lakewood East, 14578 Riverfront Blvd.
Erma Henderson Park, 8800 E. Jefferson Ave.
Owens Park, 8430 E. Jefferson Ave.
Stockton Park, 9250 Dwight
Maheras-Gentry Park, 12550 Avondale
Elliott Park, 110 Mt. Elliott
Riverside Park

“The Municipal Parking Department also will not enforce parking meters after 5 p.m. on June 26. However, motorists are advised to observe parking restrictions. Parking violators will be ticketed, and in some instances, vehicles may be towed,” City of Detroit Municipal Parking Department officials said.

Two city-owned parking garages will be open, but you can't view or tailgate form the parking garages. The Ford Underground Garage located at 30 E. Jefferson Avenue will be open from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. and costs $10. Eastern Market Garage located at 2727 Riopelle Street will be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and costs $10. For more information, call (313) 221-2500 or go online to detroitmi.gov/parking.

"Beginning at 6 p.m., this traffic plan becomes operational," the Detroit Police Department said. "Michigan State Police and Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will reroute all inbound freeway traffic. All surface streets south of Fort Street will close simultaneously with the freeway closures. All freeway arteries, during the egress of outbound traffic, will remain closed into the downtown area until approximately 12 p.m. Midnight."

Here are more road closures:

No northbound or southbound traffic will be allowed on Woodward Avenue beginning at Park and Witherell. Motorists may cross Woodward at John R/Clifford, Grand River, and State/Gratiot.
All streets south of Fort and west of Woodward will be closed.
All streets south of Congress and east of Woodward will be closed.
Beginning at 6 p.m., freeways will begin to close. (The Detroit Police Department reserves the right to request closure of the freeways and surfaces streets earlier or later, depending on the volume of vehicle traffic.)

For more information on the fireworks, go here.

Summer is here, and with it comes the opportunity to enjoy America's beautiful lakes. One of my favorite summer activities is going to a pristine lake. Whether I just hang out on the beach or take a ride in a pontoon, it's always a summer highlight. So, what are some fun things to do at the lake this summer?

Before we get to that, did you know that there's actually a Lakes Appreciation Month? It's true. The North American Lakes Management Society (NALMS) has named July the official Lakes Appreciation Month. The designation is to "focus attention on the value of lakes and reservoirs to society and the threats they face." NALMS also states that their mission is to "forge partnerships among citizens, scientists, and professionals to foster the management and protection of lakes and reservoirs...for today and tomorrow."

One fun fact about lakes is that the lowest lake in the world is the Dead Sea, on the edge of Israel and Jordan. The surface level is 418 m below sea level. That's incredible. Also, the Great Lakes, which are shared between the U.S. and Canada, contain roughly 21% of the world's freshwater supply.

So, what are some engaging activities that you can do on the lake this year? Read on for a list of 10 fun things to do on the lake this summer.

I grew up a swimmer, but some lakes are just too cold for my taste. That said, many people love a refreshing dip into crisp, cold water at their local lake. Just check temperatures before you jump in, because if it's too early in the season, those temperatures could be dangerously cold.

Water often attracts special wildlife that you won't find anywhere else. That makes camping near a lake a very special experience and different from the typical campground. When you're camping, make sure you check out the nature that blossoms around the lakes and wetlands, too.

When I was a little kid, I wanted to go fishing. My dad was not a fisherman by any means and was pretty clueless about it. So, he had a friend of his take us fishing, and it was so fun, even though I didn't catch anything. That said, fishing is a great summer activity on the lake.

If you're looking for an activity to help keep you in shape, paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing are all great exercise. All of those activities are harder than they look, too, so they can be challenging. But, in the end, you'll have a good time and get in a real workout. Many lakes have places were you can rent a paddleboat, kayak or canoe, too.

One of my cousins absolutely loves jet skiing. It's always fun to hear him talk about the experience. I'm not much of a water sports enthusiast, but I can appreciate those who do partake. You don't even have to have your own boat or jet skis, as they are often available for rent nearby.

It's always a charming activity to have a picnic by the lake. Invite some friends or family over and bring some delicious food to enjoy while looking at the water. Oh, and make sure to have ice cream. That's a must.

Hiking near a lake can be extra lovely, as the water can offer glorious scenery to really make your hike memorable. As aforementioned, lakes often attract nature that you don't find anywhere else, so hiking around the water can be a unique experience.

Parties by the lake are always fun. So, get out a grill and invite a bunch of friends down to the beach to enjoy a day or night of partying by the water. But, don't get wasted, because drinking and swimming can be a deadly combination.

Here's my top choice, even though you'll likely find me doing it in the shade: sunbathing. If the water is too cold of you're just not up to more challenging activities, you can get some sun and lay on the beach. But, remember the sunscreen.

Lakeside games are definitely a thing, and there are many quirky games that you can play by the lake. A few enjoyable lake games include water balloon fights, bean bag tosses, horseshoes and more. Pick a game and dig in.