Lake Shore fireworks and festival

By Dan DuChene
Jul. 6, 2009    ·    4:33 a.m.

Ypsilanti residents were treated to fireworks on Ford Lake for the first time since 2003 Wednesday night.

The event was part of Lake Shore Apartment’s Family Festival, which took place at company’s property on the corner of Grove Road and Bridge Street Wednesday and wrapped up Sunday.

Joanna Hardesty, the event’s organizer, estimated 5,000 people had turned out to the festival during the five days it was in operation. She said the attendance was good, considering a couple days of poor weather.

“It went together very well,” Hardesty said.

This was the first year the apartment complex put on the festival, and Hardesty said the group got a late start. She said Lake Shore had intended to put on a fireworks display last year, but did not organize a festival. The display last year was canceled due to rain.

Hardesty said planning for a festival wasn’t started until April. She said the festival—with rides, games, food and live entertainment—is intended to help the new property’s new management company reach out to the community, and to create a foundation to help make the fireworks display more permanent.

“It’s something positive for the area,” she said.

Normally, she said it takes a year to plan an event like this.

Aside from carnival rides and games, the festival also featured live music from Motown group the Contours and the Red Wings’ Karen Newman. The festival also had a petting zoo and an outdoor showing of “Yes Man,” featuring Jim Carrey. It also hosted an acrobatic motorcycle stunt show and 40 artist and merchant booths.

“It’s been a tremendous success,” Hardesty said.

Next year, she said the fireworks may move to a day on the weekend, and the number of days the festival runs may be reduced from five to around three. She did say, however, that the community can expect it next year.