It’s been 233 years since 1776. That’s 85,045 days. Or 2,041,080 hours, if you prefer. And Lake Orion’s going to celebrate every single one of them at this year’s Fourth of July celebration.
Join area residents 10 p.m. Saturday for the Lake Orion Fireworks Association display on the lake.
The Lake Orion Fireworks Association is still looking for donations to make the display bigger and better.
‘Unfortunately, current economic conditions have had an adverse effect on our fundraising results this year,? said Bernie Biringer of the association. ‘This shortfall of funding will negatively impact the size and quality of show that we can provide to the community.?
According to the fireworks association president, Carl Cyrowski, they’ve only reached 50 percent of their fundraising goal.
‘We’ve had more fundraisers than ever,? he said, ‘but they’re just not generating enough.?
Cyrowski added that donations from businesses like car dealerships are especially low because of the difficult economy.
‘And I can’t say I blame them,? he said.
There’s still time to help out by sending donations to Lake Orion Fireworks Association, 1520 S. Lapeer Road Suite 104, Lake Orion, MI 48360.
Residents can also head to Culver’s at M-24 and Dutton Road for more fundraising. Culver’s owner Joe Zimmer is donating 10 percent of all sales, not just profit, to the Lake Orion Fireworks Association, Thursday, July 2.
Then on the Fourth, Culver’s staff will be selling custard on Lake Orion from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for their first Annual Custard Cruise. Track down their pontoon boat to get $2 custards. All proceeds will be donated to the fireworks association.
In order to foot the bill for the fireworks, Lake Orion Fireworks Association will be collecting donations for the remainder of the summer so those interested in helping out can still do so in the future, according to Cyrowski.
Greens Park will be open again this year for viewing. The park will close at 8 p.m. and will reopen at 8:30 p.m., ready for spectators. Cost will be free for village residents 12 and under or 62 and older; $1 for other village residents; $2 for township residents 12 and under or 62 and older; $4 for other township residents; $3 for other area residents 12 and under or 62 and older; and $5 for all other area residents.
Fireworks will be shot from barges one thousand feet from M-24. The closest land will be six hundred feet.
Bellevue and Park Island roads and Peltons Point will be closes to all non-resident traffic beginning at 7 p.m. until the fireworks display is over. The entire bay area east from Squaw Island to M-24 will be closed to unauthorized traffic.
In case of rain, Sunday, July 5 is reserved as the rain date.