For the first time ever, some of this year’s fireworks are being shot off from a barge anchored in the waters of Lake Orion.
Glen Stokes, chief pyrotechnic operator for Wolverine Fireworks Company, received an OK from Lake Orion Village Council members on June 27 to use the barge. It will be in the bay in front of Green’s Park on M-24, half way between the south end of South Andrews Street and Park Island.
The barge is a 10-foot by 20-foot custom built pontoon type platform.
Not all of the fireworks will be shot off from the barge. The majority of the shells will still be shot from the park.
Stokes said the barge is an experiment and using it on Saturday night is a test to see how good the visibility is in the village area.
LO Police Chief Jerry Narsh has been suggesting using a barge for several years.
‘This option would be safer and produce less hot debris falling onto persons or property. The water based platform could eventually allow us to open Green’s Park for additional spectators during the display,? he said.