By Scott Sullivan
Editor
It’s here! July 4 festivities Monday, including a newly-routed 10 a.m. downtown Saugatuck parade and fireworks over Kalamazoo River/Lake when night falls, will launch the summer season into full, vivid color.
The new parade route, occasioned by crowd safety concerns after Kenosha, Wisc. Christmas parade last year got crashed by a runaway SUV to the tune of six innocent lives, can be seen on the map nearby.
A downtown packed with summer-bustling businesses and attractions, with portions closed to allow the parade to pass, stands to be parking congested, maybe then some. Best bet is to ride there and back via free Interurban shuttles to and from the Saugatuck High School parking lot area “up the hill” east at 401 Elizabeth St.
Otherwise take your chances finding space and be ready to hike if needed.
Ditto to some extent the Saugatuck-Douglas Rotary Club-sponsored fireworks, shot from near Safe Harbor/Tower Marine on the river/lake’s south side by Night Magic Inc. again likely around 10 p.m.
Being high in the sky over open, reflecting water, they can be seen from a number of public places including your boat, all of which will likely be crowded.
So early arrival (grab space for your lawn chair or, if on grass say at Saugatuck’s Coghlin Park, a blanket to sit on and … wait for it. Tell us after if you feel rewarded.
Have a great Fourth!