Thousands On Hand As Detroit Illuminates Under Annual Fireworks

DETROIT (WWJ) -- Even a threat of rain couldn't spoil the mood of thousands of people who enjoyed the fireworks spectacular over the Detroit River on Monday night.

Among those on hand was Terry Turrant, who was enjoying the fireworks and the sights and sounds of the city.

"It's a time to make Detroit shine," Turrant said. "It is very good -- we don't have the people coming down causing problems for all of the good citizens of Detroit and metro Detroit who want to come out and enjoy the festivities."

Shaun Coleman came with his family from Westland and said it's obvious the city is making a spectacular comeback.

"It's just a tradition here in the city of Detroit to carry on and to provide good entertainment for such a large city," Coleman said. "It's a great city -- it really is. This is home -- the Motor City -- we love it."

For Mike Keith of Detroit, fireworks night is a longtime tradition.

"It's a wonderful thing," Keith said. "Each year it gets better and better -- the crowd control this year, I can say, is wonderful. Rubbing your toes through the grass and seeing the fireworks in the sky -- it's a beautiful thing."

With the state taking over control of Belle Isle earlier this year, it's the first time the Michigan State Police have been in charge of keeping the peace at the fireworks. Lieutenant Michael Shaw said that it was a quiet day for the most part.

"Early in the day, there was an individual who was driving the wrong way on the Belle Isle road," Shaw said. "When troopers made contact with him they also had a little bit of marijuana with them and open intoxicants in the vehicle. That was the only arrest we made."

Lieutenant Shaw said two others were escorted off the island for being disorderly. In all, over 2,000 cars made it into the park.

"We also had a lot of pedestrian and a lot of bicycle traffic," Shaw said. "The island was open for the fireworks and it was pretty full by dusk."

It took a while, but the bridge to Belle Isle was finally closed after the park reached capacity around dusk.

"We did have a little bit of a smaller crowd than usual," Shaw said. "I think the threat of thunderstorms held people back where they were a little concerned about sitting in the crowd and getting wet."