By Cathy Kimmel-Srock
Review Staff Writer
Not only will it “light up the night” on July 1 for the annual Lake Orion Lions Club Flare Night, but it is also a night that could go down in the record books.
Started in 1945 by the Rotarians to celebrate the end of World War II and continued on by the Lions Club, this year’s Flare Night marks a yearly tradition in Orion for decades.
On July 1, at 10 p.m., individuals will light flares around Lake Orion lake, as well as Long Lake and other surrounding lakes that will also participate this year.
An application is under review by the Guinness Book of World Records for a new category for the most flares individually lit around a lake at one time.
According to Lions Club chairperson Rick Rice, it is something that he actually applied for last year, but since it is a new category, Guinness is investigating it.
“It is something unique we do,” said Rice.
“We are one of a kind,” he added regarding the participation of the Lake Orion event, saying that he talked to their flares distributor about it. “They do sell to other communities but not at the volume they sell to us.”
The Lions Club sells thousands of flares every year and have sold out the last four years. They’ve added to their order this year but recommend purchasing flares as soon as possible as to not miss out.
This year, the club purchased 100 cases, their most ever, and are about 75 percent sold out, Rice said, recommending that anyone who still needs to buy their flares to make sure they get out and buy them. He anticipates that they will sell out again this year as they normally do in the couple of days leading into the event.
Flares can be purchased at Wonder Cleaners and Laundry, 835 S. Lapeer Rd., and at Ed’s Broadway Gifts, at Flint St. and Broadway in downtown Lake Orion. The Lions Club will also be selling flares around the lake on Lake Orion by boat and shore line.
For more information about the Lions Club, visit www.lakeorionlions.org.