Shelby Township: Independence Day Fireworks Return July 1

Press release from Shelby Township:

06/18/2021 3:25 PM

After a one-year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Shelby Township DDA Independence Day Fireworks are back to light up the sky July 1 at Ford Field Central Park at 7460 23 Mile Road.

Presented by the Shelby Township DDA, the fireworks can be viewed throughout the township’s Van Dyke Ave. commercial corridor with the epicenter at 23 Mile Road and Van Dyke Ave. Signs365 and Northpoint Development sponsor this year's show.

“Anyone that saw the show Signs365 put together with Wolverine Fireworks in 2019 will know not to miss this year’s event, as they told me it would be even bigger and better,” Township Supervisor Rick Stathakis said. “I want to thank our sponsors, the DDA and Deputy Supervisor Chelsea Oland, for getting this show put together.

“Typically, it takes 10 months to a year to plan our fireworks festivities, but our team was able to do it in about two months. Because of that, we don’t have as many festivities before the fireworks, but I know the show will be more than enough to satisfy our community.”

Along with the fireworks, Shelby Township is hosting the annual food truck rally at 4 p.m. at the New Rink at 50625 Van Dyke Ave. Patrons can also access the food truck rally from Ford Field Central Park.

“Everyone is excited to have our show back, and this includes our food truck vendors,” Oland said. “We have 17 trucks confirmed, and we are taking new trucks online almost every day leading up to the event.”

Because of the event’s condensed planning schedule this year, there will be no public access or events at the Packard Proving Grounds, and the facility will be closed for a private function on July 1.

To accommodate fireworks patrons that formerly set up shop at the proving grounds, the Shelby Township Community Center at 51680 Van Dyke Ave. and the municipal grounds at 52700 Van Dyke Ave. offer parking and surrounding green space for viewing and picnics after 5 p.m.

“We were sad that Packard could not join the party this year, but it gives us a chance to show off some of the beautiful parks along Van Dyke Ave.,” Oland said. “Between Mae Stecker Park, the township grounds and Senior Citizen Park behind the community center, we have a lot of green space that should have quality views of the fireworks show.”

To accommodate traffic and ensure safety before, during and after the show, the Shelby Township Police and Fire departments will be onsite with a command center at Ford Field Central Park.

Starting at 10 p.m., the Shelby Township Police Department will close several intersections during the show. The affected intersections are 23 Mile and Shelby roads, 23 Mile and Mound roads, 24 Mile Road and Van Dyke Ave., 23 Mile Road and Van Dyke Ave., and 22 Mile Road and Van Dyke Ave.

Following the show, the Shelby Township Police Department will direct exiting traffic. The township asks motorists to be mindful of the exit routes from their respective lots and plan accordingly.

Onlookers exiting Ford Field Central Park must leave traveling west on 23 Mile Road. Those leaving the private lot on the northwest corner of 23 Mile Road and Van Dyke Ave. and those parked at the Shelby Township Community Center must exit north on Van Dyke Ave. Cars parked in the private lot on the southeast corner of 23 Mile Road and Van Dyke Ave. will be directed east on 23 Mile Road. Cars parked on the township’s municipal grounds must exit on 24 Mile Road and travel east or west.

All of the firework show's information, including the food truck rally and how to plan for traffic and parking, is at shelbytwp.org/summer.

This press release was produced by Shelby Township. The views expressed here are the author’s own.