If Glenn Stokes has his way, area fireworks fans will be seeing all of next year’s holiday show shot off from two barges.
Stokes is responsible for the annual Fourth of July firework’s display.
He told Lake Orion Village Council members on Aug. 8, he’s trying to get another barge for the event.
This year 31 minutes of fireworks were shot off from Green’s Park on M-24 and 12 minutes were electronically ignited from a barge on Lake Orion near Park Island.
‘Everything went all right. I guess a few people on M-24 didn’t see it (the barge finale), but the people on the lake loved it,? Stokes said.
About 2,800 rounds were shot off. The biggest rounds were five inches. ‘If we go all to the lake, we can go bigger. If we shot six inch rounds, trees wouldn’t be a problem,? Stokes added.
‘If we could get another barge, I’m confident we could do the whole show from the lake,? LO Police Chief Jerry Narsh said.
‘That could open up Green’s Park for spectators and the buffer zone by Auto Zone.?
LO Village Manager JoAnn Van Tassel asked the council to think about selling spectator space in the park. Monies collected could be used to pay for some of the fireworks.
‘And if we sold space we could control the number of people in the park,? she added.
Village officials think using barges is a good idea because it would reduce village property and life liability.
According to Narsh, his department received no reports of damage or injury as a result of the firework’s display.
He did say on the night of the fireworks, numerous complaints were made regarding loud or unruly house parties, unwanted or unruly guests and illegal fireworks use.
‘Those were primarily in the residential areas. Arrests were made where violations were discovered,? Narsh said.
Narsh said the police department received no complaints during the carnival’s arrival and setup. No one complained about the carnival staff.
Seventy one parking tickets were issued during the street closure period for street and driveway obstructions.
Very few vehicles had to be towed.
‘The anticipated traffic congestion after the fireworks was average in its density and duration,? Narsh said.
‘The police department safely assisted thousands of pedestrians across M-24 at key areas after the display had ended with no report of injury to motorists or pedestrians.?