Guide to the 2016 Detroit fireworks

The Ford Fireworks in Detroit are scheduled to start at 9:48 p.m.

DETROIT – The 2016 Ford Fireworks in Detroit and Windsor are June 27. The show is set to begin at 9:48 p.m. 

This marks the 58th consecutive fireworks show over the Detroit River. You can see the display for miles along the riverfront, and the annual show is a city tradition. 

Here are some details to know if you plan to watch the show in person, or at home on WDIV Local 4 or ClickOnDetroit.com

WEATHER: It looks fantastic

BELLE ISLE: Looking for a great place to watch the fireworks? You can try Belle Isle. The first 1,000 cars into the park are free this year. Here's a list of other places to watch the show. 

SUPER SINGER: WDIV's annual Super Singer competition concludes on fireworks night with the crowning of a new champ. This year the show starts at 7 p.m. with the semifinals. Finalists are determined, in part,  by your votes on ClickOnDetroit from 8-9 p.m., so be sure to make voice heard on June 27. Two finalists will sing at 9 p.m. with the winner announced before the fireworks at 9:48 p.m. More: Fun Facts about the Super Singer semifinalists

VOLUNTEERS: Want to help Detroit police on fireworks night? Learn more about volunteering here

WATCH: Staying home on June 27? Watch the Ford Fireworks live on WDIV Local 4 or streaming on ClickOnDetroit.com 

 

Riverside Park will be CLOSED.


Hart Plaza

  • Hart Plaza will be open to the general public, but pedestrian set-ups and/or gatherings will not be permitted before 2 p.m. on June 27. 
  • Entry to Hart Plaza will close once it has reached desired capacity. There is No Re-Admittance once you leave Hart Plaza.
  • No tents allowed.
  • No alcohol, pets, or contraband (weapons, knives, etc.) will be allowed.
  • Flames or fires are prohibited, and cooking is prohibited.
  • Reserving an area in excess of the number of people currently in the group is prohibited.
  • Coolers and backpacks will be searched.

Belle Isle

  • Belle Isle will be closed on Monday, June 27 until 2 p.m.  At that time, the island will open to vehicular traffic only. 
  • Motorists will need the Recreation Passport to enter the island.  The passport, which is only needed for vehicles, may be purchased at the entrance for $11. The passport is $9 for out-of-state and international visitors for the day, and $31 for the year.
  • Once island capacity is reached (3000 vehicles), no additional vehicles will be admitted to the park.
  • The Island will open at 5 p.m. to pedestrians and bicyclists.
  • Alcohol consumption is prohibited on the island.
  • Tents and canopies should be 10 feet by 10 feet or smaller with no more than two tents or canopies per group.
  • RV parking will be on the paddock area near the Casino.
  • Consumer fireworks are prohibited on the island.

MUNICIPAL PARKING

The Municipal Parking Department also will not enforce parking meters after 5 p.m. on June 27. However, motorists are advised to observe parking restrictions. Parking violators will be ticketed, and in some instances, vehicles may be towed.  Motorists will be ticketed for:

  • Improper parking (vehicles within 20 feet from crosswalk; within 15 feet from an intersection; within 30 feet of a stop sign or traffic control device; and within 15 feet of a fire hydrant)
  • Parking in designated zones, such as handicap zones (without proper credentials), fire lanes, no parking zones or no standing zones. 

STREET AND FREEWAY CLOSURES

The following traffic changes will go into effect at approximately 6 p.m.:

  • No northbound or southbound traffic will be admitted onto Woodward Avenue between Fisher Freeway and Congress except for emergency vehicles, D-DOT and SMART bus coaches.
  • Jefferson Avenue will be closed to eastbound and westbound traffic between the Chrysler Freeway (I-375) and Griswold, except for emergency vehicles. All other eastbound vehicles will be routed north onto the Chrysler service drive.
  • West Jefferson from Cobo Center westbound will be closed. Parking will be prohibited on West Jefferson, on Civic Center Drive and on Atwater to St. Aubin.
  • Outbound traffic will be routed on West Jefferson from the Joe Louis Arena garage to Rosa Parks Boulevard; traffic will then proceed north on Rosa Parks to the freeways.
  • Traffic on Gratiot Avenue between I-375 and Randolph will be routed one way northbound only.
  • Traffic on Brush between Lafayette and Madison will be routed northeast onto Gratiot. Madison will be closed.
  • Monroe Street, between Randolph and Woodward Avenue, will be barricaded and closed. Traffic on Monroe between Randolph and I-375 will be routed to travel eastbound only.
  • Third Street at West Jefferson will be closed to the public and restricted for emergency vehicle use.
  • Fort Street traffic between Cabacier and Rosa Parks Boulevard will be restricted to residents of the Riverfront Towers Apartments/Condominiums.
  • Eastbound traffic on Fort Street will be allowed to turn right onto Griswold and proceed to the Lodge Freeway.
  • Traffic on Trumbull between W. Fort and Fisher Freeway will be routed to travel northbound only.
  • Traffic on Larned and Congress will be allowed to flow in respective directions, with no southbound turns except vehicles en route to the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel via Randolph.
  • Michigan Avenue traffic will be westbound only.
  • All traffic proceeding south on Griswold will be directed to the Lodge Freeway, via Congress.
  • Eastbound Lafayette traffic will turn right at Griswold and proceed to westbound Congress to northbound Lodge freeway.
  • St. Antoine traffic flow will be one way northbound from Atwater after the fireworks display.
  • Woodbridge, Franklin, and Atwater between St. Antoine and Rivard will be one way, eastbound throughout the evening.
  • Rivard will be one way northbound from Atwater to Lafayette after the fireworks display.
  • E. Grand Blvd. will be used for outbound traffic from Belle Isle. Belle Isle traffic will proceed northbound on East Grand Boulevard and eastbound on East Jefferson.
  • No parking on West Jefferson between 23rd and St. Anne.
  • All the main streets – Michigan, Grand River, Gratiot, E. Grand Blvd. and W. Grand Blvd. – will remain open to allow motorists access to freeways. Woodward will remain open north of the Fisher Freeway service drive.
  • Beginning at 2 p.m., surface streets south of Jefferson between Rivard and Jos. Campau will be closed to all vehicles and pedestrians.
  • Beginning at 6 p.m., freeways will begin to close. **
  • There will be no vehicular traffic south of Jefferson from Third to Joseph Campau.

**The Detroit Police Department reserves the right to request closure of the freeways and surfaces streets earlier or later, depending on the volume of vehicle traffic.

CURFEW ENFORCEMENT

The City will enforce a curfew for minors, ages 17 and under, that will be in effect from 8 p.m. on June 27 until 6 a.m. on June 28 for the area bounded by the Detroit River, Third Street, Lodge Freeway, Fisher Freeway, the extension of Fisher Freeway east to Gratiot Avenue, Gratiot Avenue, Vernor Highway, Chene Street, Atwater Street and Chene Park.

Minors are welcome to view the fireworks from any approved public area.  However, for their safety, minors must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or other responsible adult (age 21 or over) if they choose to view from within the curfew boundaries. Minors will be allowed to travel to and from work, school, church or organized activities.   

Minors in violation of the curfew will be taken to the Coleman A. Young Recreation Center, 2751 Robert Bradby Drive.  Minors will be held there until picked up by a parent or guardian.  The parent or guardian also may receive a parental responsibility violation ticket.

LOST CHILDREN

       Parents can find lost children in the following locations:

  • Downtown – Cobo Center, Atwater Lounge (southeast corner of Atwater Atrium) – (313) 877-8064
  • East of 1-375 – Martin Luther King High School – 3200  E. Lafayette Blvd.
  • Southwest Area – Fourth Precinct – 4700 W. Fort Street - (313) 596-5400

TOWING

Towed vehicles within the downtown area will be held at 2121 W. Fort Street.  Vehicles towed on Belle Isle will remain on the island. Free shuttles to tow lots will be available from 4 p.m. – 1 a.m. Tow lots close at 1 a.m.  The fee for towing is $215.