Guide To 2015 Detroit Fireworks

DETROIT (CBS Detroit) - Hundreds of thousands of spectators will line the shores of the Detroit River to have a blast at the 57th annual Ford Fireworks celebration.

Make sure to arrive early on Monday, June 22, to grab a spot to enjoy the spectacular show.

Due to weather concerns, even organizers announced the fireworks would be moved up an hour, now set for 9:06 p.m.

Tony Michaels, President and CEO of The Parade Company, explained the night's theme: "The Colors of Love."

"Everyone's gotta love each other, and to make this city successful everyone has to come together," Michaels told WWJ Newsradio 950. "So, you're gonna see some new colors, you're gonna hear a lot of music dealing with a lot of love."

This year's snow feature 10,000 pyrotechnic effects which will be visible for miles along river with more bi-chromatic fireworks than before, strong use of noise and salute shells — including dragon eggs, whistles and screamers and more intense color. In all, 13,000 pounds of fireworks will shoot into the air from three barges, choreographed by the world-renowned Patrick Brault.

Michaels said they've a minute to this year's show, which will last 24 minutes.

"It feels like its longer because I just keeps coming at you and coming at you," he said. "You're gonna see some really cool things, some slow-down moments and then just talking off."

Here's what you need to know to join in the fun (info provided by the city of Detroit):

VIEWING AREAS

The following locations have been identified as the best viewing sites:

- Hart Plaza

- Belle Isle (viewing from the MacArthur Bridge will not be permitted)

- Mt. Elliott Park, Owens Park and Erma Henderson Park

Hart Plaza

• Hart Plaza will be open to the general public, but pedestrian set-ups and/or gatherings will not be permitted before 2 p.m. on June 22.
• Entry to Hart Plaza will close once it has reached desired capacity. There is No Re-Admittance once you leave Hart Plaza.
• No tents allowed.
• No alcohol, pets, or contraband (weapons, knives, etc.) will be allowed.
• Flames or fires are prohibited, and cooking is prohibited.
• Reserving an area in excess of the number of people currently in the group is prohibited.
• Coolers and backpacks will be searched.

Belle Isle  (viewing from the MacArthur Bridge will not be permitted)

• Belle Isle will be closed on Monday, June 22, until 2 p.m. for vehicle traffic.
• Motorists will need the Recreation Passport to enter the island.  The passport, which is only needed for vehicles, may be purchased at the entrance for $11.
• Once island capacity is reached, no additional vehicles will be admitted to the park.
• Alcohol consumption is prohibited on the island except by use permit, which can be obtained from the park supervisor with a shelter or event rental.
• Tents and canopies should be 9 feet by 9 feet or smaller with no more than two tents or canopies per group.
• Consumer fireworks are prohibited on the island.

**The Detroit RiverWalk and Riverside Park will be CLOSED.

MUNICIPAL PARKING

The Municipal Parking Department also will not enforce parking meters after 10 p.m. on June 22. However, motorists are advised to observe parking restrictions. Parking violators will be ticketed, and in some instances, vehicles may be towed.  Motorists will be ticketed for:

• Improper parking (vehicles within 20 feet from crosswalk; within 15 feet from an intersection, within 30 feet of a stop sign or traffic control device; and within 15 feet of a fire hydrant)
• Parking in designated zones, such as handicap zones (without proper credentials), fire lane, no parking zones or no standing zones.

Parking Facilities and Lots

MPD will offer parking at the following City-owned garages and lots.

- Ford Underground Garage                 6 a.m. – 1 a.m.                        $5 (minimum) - $15 (maximum)
30 E. Jefferson

- Joe Louis Arena Garage                      6 a.m. – 1 a.m.                        $10
900 W. Jefferson

- Millennium Garage                            24 hours                                 $10
432 W. Congress

- Premier Garage                                  24 hours                                  $5 (minimum) - $15 (maximum)
1206-08 Woodward Ave.                    (No new customers after 9 p.m.)

- Grand Circus Park Garage                  24 hours                                  $5 (minimum) - $15 (maximum)
1601 Woodward Avenue

Fireworks viewing from any parking facility and tailgating are prohibited. For more information, call (313) 221-2500 or go online to www.detroitmi.gov/parking.

STREET AND FREEWAY CLOSURES

The following traffic changes will go into effect at approximately 6 p.m.:

• No northbound or southbound traffic will be admitted onto Woodward Avenue between Fisher Freeway and Congress except for emergency vehicles, D-DOT and SMART bus coaches.
• Jefferson Avenue will be closed to eastbound and westbound traffic between the Chrysler Freeway (I-375) and Griswold, except for emergency vehicles. All other eastbound vehicles will be routed north onto the Chrysler service drive.
• West Jefferson from Cobo Center westbound will be closed. Parking will be prohibited on West Jefferson, on Civic Center Drive and on Atwater to St. Aubin.
• Outbound traffic will be routed on West Jefferson from the Joe Louis Arena garage to Rosa Parks Boulevard; traffic will then proceed north on Rosa Parks to the freeways.
• Traffic on Gratiot Avenue between I-375 and Randolph will be routed one way northbound only.
• Traffic on Brush between Lafayette and Madison will be routed northeast onto Gratiot. Madison will be closed.
• Monroe Street, between Randolph and Woodward Avenue, will be barricaded and closed. Traffic on Monroe between Randolph and I-375 will be routed to travel eastbound only.
• Third Street at West Jefferson will be closed to the public and restricted for emergency vehicle use.
• Fort Street traffic between Cabacier and Rosa Parks Boulevard will be restricted to residents of the Riverfront Towers Apartments/Condominiums.
• Eastbound traffic on Fort Street will be allowed to turn right onto Griswold and proceed to the Lodge Freeway.
• Traffic on Trumbull between W. Fort and Fisher Freeway will be routed to travel northbound only.
• Traffic on Larned and Congress will be allowed to flow in respective directions, with no southbound turns except vehicles en route to the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel via Randolph.
• Michigan Avenue traffic will be westbound only.
• All traffic proceeding south on Griswold will be directed to the Lodge Freeway, via Congress.
• Eastbound Lafayette traffic will turn right at Griswold and proceed to westbound Congress to northbound Lodge freeway.
• St. Antoine traffic flow will be one way northbound from Atwater after the fireworks display.
• Woodbridge, Franklin, and Atwater between St. Antoine and Rivard will be one way, eastbound throughout the evening.
• Rivard will be one way northbound from Atwater to Lafayette after the fireworks display.
• E. Grand Blvd. will be used for outbound traffic from Belle Isle. Belle Isle traffic will proceed northbound on East Grand Boulevard and eastbound on East Jefferson.
• No parking on West Jefferson between 23rd and St. Anne.
• All the main streets – Michigan, Grand River, Gratiot, E. Grand Blvd. and W. Grand Blvd. – will remain open to allow motorists access to freeways. Woodward will remain open north of the Fisher Freeway service drive.
• Beginning at 2 p.m., surface streets south of Jefferson between Rivard and Jos. Campau will be closed to all vehicles and pedestrians.
• Beginning at 6 p.m., freeways will begin to close. **
• There will be no vehicular traffic south of Jefferson from Third to Joseph Campau.

[REAL-TIME TRAFFIC INFO]

**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.

CURFEW ENFORCEMENT

The City will enforce a curfew that will be in effect from 8 p.m. on June 22 until 6 a.m. on June 23 for the area bounded by the Detroit River, Third Street, Lodge Freeway, the extension of Fisher Freeway east to Gratiot Avenue, Gratiot Avenue, Vernor Highway, Chene Street, Atwater Street and Chene Park.

Minors age 17 and under are welcome to view the fireworks from any approved public area, however, the ordinance requires they be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or other responsible adult (age 21 with identification) if they choose to view from within the curfew boundaries. Minors will be allowed to travel to and from work, school or organized sports.

Minors in violation of the curfew will be taken to the Martin Luther King Jr. High School gymnasium, located at 3200 E. Lafayette.  Minors will be held there until picked up by a parent or guardian.  The parent or guardian also may receive a parental responsibility violation ticket.

LOST CHILDREN
Parents can find lost children in the following locations:

• Downtown – Cobo Center, Atwater Lounge (southeast corner of Atwater Atrium) – (313) 877-8064
• Butzel Family Center–7737 Kercheval near VanDyke
• Southwest Area – Fourth Precinct – 4700 W. Fort Street - (313) 596-5400

TOWING

Towed vehicles within the downtown area will be held at 2875 W. Grand Blvd.  Vehicles towed on Belle Isle will remain on the island. Tow lots close at 1 a.m.  The fee for towing is $215.

DETROIT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

For bus riders, the Detroit Department of Transportation issued these reminders:

• Due to street closures and traffic congestion, DDOT will end east side routes at the Bricktown People Mover Station on Beaubien between East Congress and East Lafayette starting at 5 p.m. until midnight. Passengers going to the Rosa Parks Transit Center should board the People Mover at the Bricktown Station and exit at Times Square Station. There will be DDOT personnel to assist with tokens to board the People Mover.
• The affected routes are #7 Cadillac-Harper, #10 Chene, #34 Gratiot, #40 Russell and #48 Van Dyke. The #25 Jefferson/Fort will continue to the Rosa Parks Transit Center following a detoured route.
• Passengers at the Rosa Parks Transit Center traveling east should board the People Mover at the Times Square Station and exit at the Bricktown Station to board eastbound coaches. There will be DDOT personnel to assist with tokens to ride the People Mover.
• Passengers must have a DDOT transfer to receive a People Mover token from DDOT personnel.

• Additional service will be provided after the fireworks leaving downtown on an as-needed basis.
• Coaches will depart from the Rosa Parks Transit Center westbound and eastbound until 1 a.m. as needed
• Coaches will depart from Bricktown People Mover Station on Beaubien between E. Congress and E. Lafayette (Eastbound Only) until midnight.

DETROIT PEOPLE MOVER

The Detroit People Mover (DPM) will operate from 6:30 a.m. – midnight. Financial District and Joe Louis Arena (via the RiverWalk) stations are within walking distance of Hart Plaza. Due to the early closures of the Cobo, Millender and Renaissance centers, trains will bypass these facilities on June 22 beginning at 8 p.m. There will be no public access to these People Mover stations.  Patrons are asked to exit at the nearest available station.   All other DPM stations will remain open.

The People Mover fare is 75 cents per ride, and children ages five and under ride free. For more information, go online to thepeoplemover.com or call 313-224-2160.

Don't get stuck in a jam and miss this show!  Stay tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 for the latest from the roads during Traffic and Weather on the 8s, 24-hours a day. You'll know how to dress and what (besides fireworks) to expect in the sky when you check out the CBS Detroit weather page.