Brandon Twp.- After much doubt about whether the township would have a fireworks show at all this year, Brandon Fire Chief Bob McArthur says residents can expect the best show ever.
The show begins at dusk July 3, with fireworks set off from the parking lot of Brandon Middle School, 609 S. Ortonville Road. Parking is available at the middle school, as well as the high school, 1025 S. Ortonville Road, the H.T. Burt and Harvey Swanson elementaries, 209 Varsity Drive, and various businesses.
‘I guarantee it will be the biggest show we’ve ever had,? said McArthur. ‘In January, we thought we might have to skip the show this year. We got real community support to have this show.?
The Greater Area of Ortonville Chamber of Commerce took over fundraising efforts this year for the $8,000 show put on by Wolverine Fireworks after the township board withdrew the $5,000 they normally give for the event because of budget constraints.
However, the township board approved a $3,000 donation for the show at their May meeting and other donations began pouring in, at first surpassing the minimum $5,000 mark just to have a show (20 minutes) and now past the $8,000 mark, allowing at least a 40-minute show. Donations are still being accepted and will be used to expand this year’s show. Firefighters will be accepting donations at the show for next year also.
McArthur expects a lot of tailgating and asks that residents clean up after themselves. The Ortonville Rotary Club will have a concession stand with food and beverages near the bus garage. Other vendors can register with the Chamber of Commerce for $35, the proceeds of which will go to the fireworks fund.
McArthur reminds residents to be safe this holiday season and that legal fireworks are cone fountains, while illegal fireworks are anything that ‘hops, skips, jumps, flies in the air or goes bang,? including firecrackers and bottle rockets.
He notes that in the past buildings and boats have caught fire and people have had amputations of fingers as a result of using illegal fireworks.
‘They are very dangerous, and permits are difficult to get because of the severity of what can happen,? said McArthur, who notes the Brandon Fire Department must provide a $5 million insurance policy to have the fireworks show.
He also cautions that children using sparklers should be supervised.
‘We get a lot of burns at this time of year,? McArthur said. ‘The wire is red-hot or they touch each other with them… It can also start a grass fire or catch clothes on fire.?