By Meg Peters
Review Staff Writer
Fourth of July would not be the same without hot dogs, ice cold soda and extra law enforcement on and off Lake Orion to ensure the safety of Independence Day celebrators.
The fireworks show, put on by the Lake Orion Fireworks Association, will begin at?10 p.m. on July 4.??
Ace Pyro of Manchester, will launch shells from a barge on the southwest corner of the lake near Dot Island and the sand bar.
Additional police officers and deputies will be patrolling several key roads winding around Lake Orion as well as closely monitoring local boating ordinances.??
Road restrictions
Law enforcement expects extra traffic on Independence Day and have adjusted patrol priorities accordingly.
Oakland County deputies will be restricting traffic on’Shady Oaks, Dollar Bay Dr. and’Pine Tree’north of Pine Tree Elementary to ensure roads are open for local property owners and available for emergency vehicles if needed.
On the village side, police officers will close both’Bellevue Island’and’Central Drive’at?7 p.m. on July 4’to all non-resident vehicular traffic until the show is over.
Residents who show a valid license for their Bellevue Island or Central Drive home will be allowed past the embargo all night. If non-residents have a car they will need to be at their desired location prior to?7 p.m.’Non-residents on foot can access the island and peninsula regardless of what time it is.
Parking
Just like any other day, patrons can park anywhere it is lawful to do so, Police Chief Jerry Narsh said.
He reminds patrons there is no ‘on’street parking? on the pavement of any residential street in the village, only in designated parking spaces.
Otherwise all municipal parking lots are open for public parking.
Green’s Park’will be open at?8 p.m.’for a free fireworks viewing on a first come first serve basis, however there will be no parking after?8 p.m.
Vehicles that are parked or unattended that hinder the free-flow of traffic on any street will be ticketed or towed at the owner’s expense. Deputies and officers encourage drivers to closely adhere to posted parking signs and to be respectful to the neighborhoods and homes close to the launch site.
Lake enforcement
Apart from the regular no-wake zones on Lake Orion marine patrolmen will block off the bay in front of Dot Island to the sand bar as a no-wake zone starting at?3 p.m. on July 4’in order to provide calm waters to set the fireworks barges.
Three patrol boats will be monitoring Lake Orion on’July 4.
Viewing options
Chief Narsh predicts the traditional viewing locations to be fully utilized along M-24 for the fireworks show, including Green’s Park and the plot of land in front of Autozone which are public lands.
Many locals will also watch the fireworks from Pine Tree Elementary.
Private property, however, is a different story.
‘If it’s clearly posted, ‘no trespassing do not enter,? if you enter that you are in violation of our ordinance and you can be cited for trespassing,? he said.
Private property includes all businesses. Only those with permission will be allowed onto private property. .
Local fireworks rules
Orion Township and village ordinances only permits the use of legally purchased consumer fireworks on the day before, the day of, and the day after the following national holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.
There are restrictions for use on those days.
Fireworks can only be fired from private property. Written permission must be granted by the property owner to anyone shooting fireworks other than the property owner.
Fireworks cannot be launched from church or school property, a public street or park or any other public location.
Fireworks can only be purchased and used by those 18 years or older.
The so-called Chinese lanterns are prohibited in the Village of Lake Orion.
Even on legal holidays in the village, fireworks cannot be launched between the hours of?12 a.m. to 8 a.m., and excessive use resulting in the disruption of residents is also prohibited.
Excessive use is defined as more than 20 minutes of continuous ignition between the hour of?10:30 p.m. and 11 a.m.’in the township.
It is illegal to ignite fireworks and be under the influence of alcohol.
Any person violating local ordinances is subject to a civil infraction or misdemeanor with fines up to $500 and/or 90 days in jail.