American pride will meet summer fun this week as Independence Day festivities are kicked off around Lake Orion. These include the Jubilee, Flare Night and the annual fireworks display.
The Jubilee, hosted by the Lake Orion Lions Club, will open around noon on Thursday, June 28 and run through Saturday, June 30. The fair will be open from noon to 1:30 a.m. on those days.
According to Jubilee Co-Chair Jack Patton, the fair will feature 15 rides, ranging from kiddie to adult rides.
Wristbands, which last the whole day, are $17, and individual tickets are $1/piece or 22 tickets for $20.
‘This is the largest fundraiser every year,? Patton said, noting that about $15,000 was raised last year and goes to benefit over 40 different charities.
With the Jubilee’s location in downtown Lake Orion, street closures will be in effect from Wednesday, June 27 at 6 a.m. through Sunday, July 1 at noon. Broadway Street, from Front Street north to Shadbolt, and Flint Street, from Anderson west to Lapeer Street, will be closed during that time.
Temporary stop signs will be placed on east and westbound Shadbolt at Anderson, creating a four-way stop, and at eastbound Flint Street at Anderson, creating a three-way stop.
Flare Night, also hosted by the Lake Orion Lions Club, will take place around Lake Orion on Friday night, June 29 at 10 p.m. Lake residents are asked to purchase flares to place around their land at lakeside.
According to Flare Chairman Bob Chevrier, Flare Night has been going on in Lake Orion for over 50 years. The event benefits the Lake Orion Lions Club’s various charities, including the Christmas Baskets program held in December.
Flares are available at Pugh’s Party Store on Heights Road, Ed’s Broadway Gifts on Broadway, Snug Harbor on Heights, the Lake Orion Boat Club and can be purchased from various boats around Lake Orion (look for flare signs).
Flares are $2 each or can be purchased in a case of 36 for $65.
All of the fun festivities lead up to the annual fireworks display, hosted by the Lake Orion Fireworks Association, held on Saturday, June 30 at 10 p.m.
This year, the fireworks will be lit off a barge anchored in the lake, west of Green’s Park in the area of Squaw Island between the west end of Grove Street and Park Island.
Glen Stokes, the chief pyrotechnic operator for the fireworks, told the village council last month that although the barges were used last year, the public should expect it to be slightly different this year, as the barge will be placed in a different location and will be securely anchored.
‘We’ve worked out some of the kinks,? he noted, saying that he believes this year’s display will be much better and run much smoother than last year’s.
During the fireworks display, the entire bay east from Squaw Island to M-24 will be closed to all unauthorized persons and boat traffic at 9 p.m.
‘Boaters attempting to embark into the bay area after 9 p.m. will be stopped and returned to dockside by Lake Orion Police and Oakland County Marine Division Officers,? Police Chief Jerry Narsh said.
Bellevue Island, Park Island roads and Peltons Point will also be closed to all non-resident vehicular traffic starting at 8 p.m. and until the fireworks display has concluded to ensure village streets are passable for emergency vehicles.
Due to the fireworks being lit from a barge in the lake, Green’s Park will again be open this year for spectators interested in viewing the display from there.
‘This was done for the 2006 fireworks show and was very successful,? Village Manager JoAnn Van Tassel said.
The park will close at 8 p.m. per Village regulations and reopen at 8:30 p.m. for spectators that have purchased a ticket, which are being pre-sold at Village Hall. A maximum of 1,000 tickets are being issued, and all passes must be obtained by Friday, June 29. The parking lot will also be closed to motorized vehicles and be used as a viewing site.