Published: June 26, 2009 10:55 pm      

Fireworks displays bookend festival

Shows are planned for July 4 and 11

TRAVERSE CITY -- West Grand Traverse Bay will serve as stage for twin Saturday pyrotechnic shows.

Fireworks displays are planned for this year's 83rd annual National Cherry Festival on July 4 and 11. Both are set to erupt at 10:30 p.m. those nights.

"It turned out to be bookends, on the first and last days," said Tim Hinkley, Cherry Festival director.

The July 4 show is sponsored by the Grand Traverse Veteran Coalition, a group that lobbies area townships, Traverse City and Grand Traverse County to contribute to a fireworks fund to cover the cost of the annual bay holiday display. The festival pays for the finale show.

The two shows collectively cost about $36,000.

The Independence Day fireworks show grew tenuous in recent years as the poor economy and tight local government budgets hurt contributions, but local vets rolled up their sleeves and fought for the display.

"We're proud of our country and what we do and feel it's essential to do something locally for the Fourth of July," said Jack Pickard, a coalition member. "The people care and we just happen to be the group to step up to the plate and get it done."

Bruce Tyree, of East Jordan, owner of Great Lakes Fireworks, will produce both shows.

"I do have them designed differently, so it won't be the same show," he said.

Tyree travels to China each year to stock up on the latest and greatest fireworks because he's "always looking for the unique."

Spectators this year should watch for fireworks that are shot into the bay and then emerge to explode overhead, he said.

More than 1,000 firework shells will be launched during each show, Tyree said.

"That is a lot of booms," he said.

The show is paid for this year, but next July could become more of a challenge.

Acme Township chipped in about $900 this year to help pay for the Veteran's fireworks show, but may not be able to next year amid falling property values and state revenue sharing, said Wayne Kladder, township supervisor.

"We made significant cuts for next year," he said.

It's the same story with Garfield Township.

"Everybody likes fireworks on the Fourth of July. It's like apple pie and moms," said Chuck Korn, township supervisor.

Garfield Township leaders agreed to spend $2,840 on the show this year, but next year may be different. Continued funding for the fireworks show will be influenced by next year's state funding for the township, Korn said.