Families Crowd Belle Isle For Fireworks
DETROIT(WWJ) - Beginning early Monday morning, hundreds of Metro Detroit families were lining up at the entrance to Belle Isle, tents at the ready. They're trying to get the perfect spot to see the annual Detroit fireworks.
Eddie Gates said he typically sets up camp with his wife and grandchildren on the southwest end of the island.
"We keep a normal spot right here so we can see the whole fireworks," he said.
Gates' wife, Sandra Gates, said her husband is in charge of the grill, while she and the kids set up the tent.
"Every year we put this tent up, and every year we fight with it," Sandra Gates said.
Keith Flournoy, Belle Isle park manager, said regulations have been put in place to make sure campers stay safe.
"There's a lot of families here, and we don't want anybody to get hurt," he said. "We're gonna make sure that people bringing out canopies and tents have them open on at least two sides that we can see inside of from the road."
Flournoy said families also are discouraged from bringing or discharging their own fireworks on the island.
The fireworks go off at 10:06 p.m.
For prime viewing areas, road closures and more details, check out our Guide to the 2012 Detroit Fireworks.
