Around 8,000 fireworks were shot off the Gillett Bridge in Downtown Grand Rapids on July 6 during the city’s annual Fourth of July fireworks show. Thousands crowded the Blue Bridge, Pearl Street Bridge and the surrounding area to see the 22-minute show.
The Fourth of July celebration started around 6 p.m. in Ah-Nab-Awen Park with food vendors and live performances from DJ Comp and local band Funkle Jessie. Around 10:30 p.m., fireworks began to fill the sky above the Gillett Bridge.
Aaron Lehrman, 43, of Grand Rapids, occupied a spot on the Blue Bridge with multiple tripods and cameras to capture the colorful show. Being a landscape photographer, Lehrman has captured a few fireworks shows including the one in Grand Haven this past Thursday.
“Yeah, I generally don’t normally go to fireworks but the more I take pictures, the more I see the importance of light and dark and this portrays a contrast that really comes out in photography,” Lehrman said when asked if he was excited for the show.
The city has put on this show for decades. Sara Lavengood, 41, of Grand Rapids has been attending for as long as she remembers.
“I’ve been here since I was a kid,” Lavengood explained. “I think it gets better almost every year. The bridge lights up and they have the great grand finale. I love the show.”
Grand Rapids Community College student Sophia Veokov, 27, of Kalamazoo, said she had been coming to the show for the past three years but was unable to find a good spot each time. This year she was able to get a seat in the middle of the Blue Bridge to view the show.
“My other spots weren’t as close so previously they weren’t the best fireworks shows, but I’m hoping this year is better,” Veovok said.
After the show was over, people cheered and clapped and flooded into the downtown streets. Over 60 Grand Rapids Police officers patrolled the event along with officers from the Michigan State Police, Kent County Sheriff’s Department, Walker Police Department and the Wyoming Police Department.
