By Meg Peters
Review Co-Editor
First one platform will fire, then the other will respond, back and forth over Lake Orion.
“They’ll just keep shooting until it’s one great big firework,” President of the Lake Orion Fireworks Association Carl Cyrwoski said.
The Lake Orion Fireworks Association (LOFA) makes the magic happen every Fourth of July, but this year’s Dueling Fireworks show may amaze the estimated-100,000 viewers.
“As far as I know, it’s the only show like this in the region,” Cyrowski said.
The plan is to anchor two different platforms on the east and west side of Lake Orion, just outside of Green’s Park and the other west of the Bellevue Bridge. As each side competes for bigger and better “oohs” and “ahhs” the show will accelerate, until the grand finale.
“I woke up in the middle of the night one night and said ‘here is the answer for everyone,” Cyrwoski said. “It is the perfect compromise.”
The show is set for Saturday, July 2, with a rain date July 3, contingent on whether LOFA can raise the money. The identical fireworks shows are expected to cost around $80,000 altogether.
Because the fireworks are 100 percent funded by donations from individuals and business sponsorships, Cyrowski is calling out.
“We need your support,” he said. “No government money is used for the display. It’s a show for the people and funded by the people.”
Donations can be made on their website, lakeorionfireworks.org, or by mailing a check to LOFA at 3912 Silver Valley Drive, Orion Township, MI 48359.
Business sponsorships are also available by contacting LOFA at 248-343-2215. Choose from the Sparkler Sponsor at $1,000, all the way to the Grand Finale Sponsor at $10,000.
LOFA started the fundraising early this year with a March Madness restaurant contest to see which business could raise the most money.
Patrons could buy “donor tags” at the following 12 restaurants, which will be sold up to the date of the show: Buffalo Wild Wings, Christis Bar and Grill, CJ’s Sand Bar, Eagles Club, 51 North Brewing Co., G’s Pizza, Lake Orion American Legion, Lockharts BBQ, Old Detroit Bar & Grill, C Pub/Clansman, Crates Coffee House, Great Harvest Bread Co., and the Orion Sports Bar. All proceeds will benefit the dueling show.
The annual Breakfast/Brunch at the Lake Orion Boat Club is also another chance to support the show. Free shuttle is available from the dock behind the Porritt Light House between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. for all who wish to attend. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for kids, but children under 6 eat free. Call 248-693-2900 for pickup only on the day of the event.
Cyrowksi also booked the Grand Princess Cruise Boat for a myriad of events and cruised leading up to the day of the show. The first is the Margaritaville Night Cruise Saturday, June 25 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. Tickets are $50 each. For more information contact Sandra McCloud at mccloudse@yahoo.com.  For a list of all other events visit the LOFA website at lakeorionfireworks.org.