Detroit fireworks 2019: How to watch the show, what to know

With the summer season officially here, Detroit is ready to kick off the warmer months with a BOOM! 

Themed, "Detroit. Ready! Set! Go!!," the 61st annual Ford Fireworks will take place Monday at 9:55 p.m. along the city's riverfront. This year's show is expected to be bigger than ever, as more than 10,000 pyrotechnics effects will be launched into the night sky, said show producer, The Parade Co., in a news release. 

The company's president and CEO Tony Michaels said the show's run time will be the same as last year, at 24 minutes. As for the music that will be played along with the fireworks, that remains a secret, but he said "it will give people goosebumps." 

"We want Detroit to have the best, and that's what we set out to do every single year," said Michaels. "This year will be the best show we've ever done, no question." 

Where is a good place to watch the fireworks? 

According to the city of Detroit, here are the best places to view the show: 

• Hart Plaza
• Belle Isle (viewing from the MacArthur Bridge will not be permitted)
• Mount Elliott Park, Owens Park
• Erma Henderson Park
• Riverside Park (the portion of the park south of the railroad tracks along the river will be closed)
• RiverWalk (Rosa Parks to Yzerman Dr. and Civic Center Dr. to Joseph Campau will be closed)

Hart Plaza regulations 

• Hart Plaza will be open to the general public, but pedestrian set-ups and/or gatherings will not be permitted before 2 p.m.
• Hart Plaza will be open until 9:30 p.m. or until capacity is reached. No Re-admittance will be allowed into Hart Plaza.
• Those entering Hart Plaza will be subject to security screening.
• Coolers and backpacks will be searched.
• No tents, alcohol, drones, pets, or contraband (weapons, knives, etc.) will be allowed.
• Flames or fires are prohibited, and cooking is prohibited.
• Reserving an area in excess of the number of people currently in the group is prohibited.

Belle Isle regulations 

• Belle Isle will be closed on June 24 until 2 p.m.  At that time, the island will open to vehicular traffic.
• The island will open at 5 a.m. to pedestrians and bicyclists.
• Motorists will need the Recreation Passport to enter the island.  The passport, which is only needed for vehicles, may be purchased at the entrance for $11. The passport is $9 for out-of-state and international visitors for the day, and $32 for the year.
• Once island capacity is reached (3,000 vehicles), no additional vehicles will be admitted to the park.
• Alcohol consumption is prohibited on the island.
• New this year: No tents and canopies allowed.
• RV parking will be on the paddock area near the casino.
• Consumer fireworks are prohibited on the island.

In addition, Spirit Plaza may become another destination for show attendees, said the city. However, a decision will not be made until the day of the fireworks. If the plaza is open, individuals will receive a security screening. 

For those who choose to not see the fireworks in person, the show can still be seen on WDIV-TV's live broadcast beginning at 8 p.m. Radio station WJR-AM will also present a simulcast throughout the event and provide traffic and weather updates throughout the day, said Ford in a news release. 

More:River Days 2019: 5 things to know, including new location, Smokey details

More:Michigan communities use GoFundMe to pay for fireworks displays

Where is a good place to park? 

The Municipal Parking Department will offer parking at the following garages:

Ford Underground Garage

30 E. Jefferson 

Open: 24 hours

Cost: $10 

Millennium Garage

432 W. Congress 

Open: 24 hours 

Cost: $10

The Joe Louis Arena Garage, located at 900 W. Jefferson Avenue, will be closed. In addition, parking meters will not be enforced after 5 p.m.  

Which streets and freeways will be closed? 

• No northbound or southbound traffic will be allowed on Woodward Avenue beginning at Park and Witherell.  Motorists may cross Woodward at John R/Clifford, Grand River, and State/Gratiot.
• All streets south of Fort and west of Woodward will be closed.
• All streets south of Congress and east of Woodward will be closed.

The street closures will go into effect at 6 p.m. 

Will the fireworks affect the bus routes for DDOT?

Yes, various buses will be rerouted due to the high volume of traffic downtown. Here are the bus route changes: 

• Starting at 5 p.m., the following east-side routes will end at the Bricktown People Mover Station on Beaubien between Congress and Lafayette. The affected routes are Van Dyke/Lafayette (No. 5), Gratiot (No. 6), Jefferson (No. 9), Russell (No. 40), Chene (No. 52), Cadillac/Harper (No. 67), and Ryan Express (No. 95). Passengers going to the Rosa Parks Transit Center should board the People Mover at the Bricktown Station and exit at Times Square Station.
• Woodward (No. 4) will lay over on Woodward at Adams in Grand Circus Park. Passengers may use the People Mover (Grand Circus Station) to reach other destinations.  
• All other downtown routes will start and end at Rosa Parks Transit Center. Passengers at the Rosa Parks Transit Center traveling east should board the People Mover at the Times Square Station and exit at the Bricktown Station to board eastbound coaches.
• Additional service leaving downtown will be provided after the fireworks on an as-needed basis.
• DDOT will have additional Conant (No. 12) coaches leaving Belle Isle every 15 minutes from 10:30 -11:30 p.m.  Passengers may board at regular locations and on Casino Way at The Strand and Inselruhe at the White House.   

What are some alternative ways to get to the fireworks? 

SMART Bus 

SMART will offer its limited-stop FAST buses to passengers around metro Detroit on the day of the event. According to a news release from the company, SMART also has secured accessible parking areas along each of the Fast bus routes. For those in the Dearborn area, FAST will pick up passengers at the former Kroger in the Garrison Place Shopping Center. Those in Oakland County can take the Woodward bus and park behind the Troy Civic Center Fire Station on 13 Mile and Woodward. Passengers coming from Macomb County can take the Gratiot bus, with parking available at the Lowe's located on North River and 15 Mile roads. 

When the fireworks are over, riders will need to walk over to Michigan and Cass Avenues for the FAST Michigan and FAST Woodward routes, and to Congress and St. Antoine streets for the FAST Gratiot route. 

Riders can purchase a 4-hour or a 24-hour Dart pass when boarding the bus. The pass allows unlimited rides in any direction within the designated time on the pass. A 4-hour pass is $2 or 50 cents with the proper ID, and a 24-hour pass is $5, or $2 with ID. 

Detroit People Mover 

According to the city, the trains will bypass Renaissance Center and Millender Center stations beginning at 2 p.m. on fireworks day. After 2 p.m., only guests staying at the RenCen Marriott and Courtyard Marriott hotels will have access to the facility with appropriate ID. People Mover trains will bypass Cobo Conference Center starting at 6 p.m. when the building closes.

Financial District Station is the closest People Mover station within walking distance of Hart Plaza, and is the next station following Millender Center and nearest to Cobo from the street.

All other stations, except those named above, will remain open to the public until  midnight. The People Mover is 75 cents per ride, and children ages five and under ride free. 

What is the curfew for minors?

As in previous years, Detroit will enforce a curfew for children age 17 and under. The curfew will be in effect from 8 p.m. on the night of the event until 6 a.m. Tuesday for the areas bounded by the Detroit River, Third Street, Lodge Freeway, Fisher Freeway, the extension of Fisher Freeway east to Gratiot Avenue, Gratiot Avenue, Vernor Highway, Chene Street, Atwater Street and Chene Park.

Minors are free to watch the fireworks from an approved public area, but must have a parent, guardian or adult who is 21 or older. 

Teens and children who violate the curfew will be taken to the Coleman A. Young Recreation Center, located at 2751 Robert Bradby Drive. Minors will be held there until picked up by a parent or guardian, who may be subject to a parental violation ticket. 

What's going on before the show?

Vintage plane flyover 

A flyover of the Detroit River provided by Ford and Belleville-based Yankee Air Museum. The flyover will feature three World War II aircraft: a B-17G Flying Fortress, or a Yankee Lady, a B-25D Mitchell, or a Yankee Warrior and a C-47 Skytrain , or a Hairless Joe, said the nonprofit in a news release. The estimated time of the flyover is 7:30 p.m. 

The planes played a significant role in the war, with the Yankee Warrior flying in eight combat missions in the Mediterranean Sea. The aircraft will be flown in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of D-Day.

 Ford focus on freedom

The Ford Fund will salute more than 200 current and former members of the military along with their families during a special event at the Port Authority Building with a closeup view of the fireworks, said Ford in a news release. 

Live entertainment at Hart Plaza 

Ford is providing a DJ and giveaways for people waiting to see the fireworks at Hart Plaza from 5-9 p.m.