MUSKEGON, Mich. — The show will go on in Muskegon this year. Tuesday night Muskegon City Commission approved up to $60,000 to host an Independence Day fireworks celebration that was previously canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.
Traditionally Muskegon's Fourth of July fireworks were organized and paid for by large music events at Heritage Landing like Muskegon Summer Celebration, and most recently Muskegon RockStock.
The fireworks were set off at the peninsula at Heritage Landing so music festivals attendees had the best view but the show could be seen for free from almost anywhere along Muskegon Lake.
Earlier this year Muskegon RockStock was canceled as were the fireworks that would have been part of the event.
Following calls to Muskegon City Hall Muskegon City Commissioners, City Clerk Ann Meisch, and City Manager Frank Peterson began initial discussion about picking up the event. Now with formal approval from the Muskegon City Commission the show is a go.
"The city decided to step up and make it happen this year," said Muskegon City Clerk Ann Meisch. "It 's going to happen July third, that's a Saturday."
The city is considering a new location to set off the show which will be put on by Melrose Pyrotechnics.
Barges on Muskegon Lake are one option under consideration.
"It's going to be somewhere in the downtown area," said Meisch. "That 's what we're trying to scope out right now."
The city would like the fireworks to be visible from as much of the downtown as possible to keep crowds small and spread out.
And by July much of the Muskegon area should be vaccinated.
People are starting to see the light at the end, and we're getting more excited about events," said Meisch. "It's going to be a new celebration for everybody and I think everybody is just ready for this."
The City of South Haven announced its 2021 fireworks show is canceled due to COVID-19 limitations and concerns.
13 ON YOUR SIDE has learned 4th of July community fireworks shows are still being planned for Muskegon County's Twin Lake Park.
Decisions on fireworks for Grand Haven and Holland are expected to be made in April.
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