Oxford’s Seymour Celebration, scheduled to run from June 27-29, promises to deliver more of a bang than ever before.

In the past, the Friday night fireworks display in Seymour Lake Park was half the size of Saturday night’s show.

This year, they will be same, according to Ron Davis, director of the township Parks and Recreation Department.

“We’re shooting off 800 shells both nights,” he said. “We upgraded. (It) should be pretty exciting.”

Both displays will begin at dusk (approximately 10 p.m.) and each is expected to last between 20 and 30 minutes. Friday night’s spectacle is sponsored by Meijer, while Saturday night’s show is courtesy of Genisys Credit Union.

But, before the skies are filled with the colorful sights and booming sounds of exploding fireworks, there will be plenty to see and do in the 132-acre park, including carnival rides and games, live music, hot-air balloons, inflatables and a photo booth. (See the  schedule of events at the end of this article.)

Davis said the event, now in its 11th year, offers three days of “good, family fun” in a safe environment. He views the Seymour Celebration as a way to “strengthen the community,” put “money back into (the) local economy” and “showcase (Oxford) for visitors.”

“There’s a lot of departments that wouldn’t do this (type of event) because they don’t want to take on the work. It is a tremendous amount of work,” Davis noted.

But the parks and rec. staff doesn’t hesitate to do it because they have a “passion” for serving the community.

“It’s amazing what we pull off with the little staff that we have,” Davis said. “We’re just fortunate to have a good team.”

His favorite part of the celebration is when he’s on stage, right before the fireworks begin, “looking out at the crowd” and drinking in just “how much it’s grown.”

During last year’s Saturday night display, Davis said there were at least 5,000 people in the park.

“You can see the families having fun,” he said. “Each year, it just keeps growing and growing.”

Admission to the Seymour Celebration is free all day on June 27 and before 7 p.m. on June 28 and 29. After 7 p.m. on those two days, a parking fee of $5 per vehicle will be charged at the gate. All of the money collected “goes back (into) the event,” Davis noted.

Just a reminder, alcoholic beverages, personal fireworks (including sparklers) and the sale of products by outside vendors is strictly prohibited in the park.

“The Oakland County Sheriff’s (Office) will be there to enforce all township ordinances and park rules,” Davis said.

Anyone interested in working at the event as a volunteer or helping with the cleanup on Sunday, June 30 is encouraged to contact the parks and rec. department at (248) 628-1720.

“We’re always looking for volunteers,” Davis said. “If you want to come out for an hour or two or the whole day, we’d love to have you.”

For more information, please visit www.seymourcelebration.com.

Seymour Celebration Schedule of events

Thursday, June 27

• 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. KLR Splashpad (Admission is $1 each for Oxford children; $4 each for non-resident children.)

• Noon to 10 p.m. Skerbeck Carnival and Midway

• 7 p.m. Balloon launch with Sky Adventures

Friday, June 28

• 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. KLR Splashpad

• Noon to 11 p.m. Skerbeck Carnival and Midway

• 7 p.m. Balloon launch with Sky Adventures

• 7:30 to 10 p.m. Live music

• Dusk (approx. 10 p.m.) Fireworks display sponsored by Meijer

Saturday, June 29

• 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. KLR Splashpad

• Noon to 11 p.m. Skerbeck Carnival and Midway

• 1 to 3 p.m. Home Depot Kids Corner

• 2 to 6 p.m. Photo booth courtesy of Real Living John Burt Realty

• 6 to 8 p.m. Oakland County inflatables

• 5:30 to 10 p.m. Live music

• Dusk (approx. 10 p.m.) Fireworks display sponsored by Genisys Credit Union