Every year the city of Lansing has a July 4th celebration including a parade, live music and fireworks. Unbeknownst to festivity go-ers; however, is the sheer amount of preparation necessary to make the festivities successful.
Manager of Leisure Services Emily Stevens and Lansing Parks and Recreation Intern Crystal King became a two woman army for planning Lansing’s July 4th parade. The two were in charge of building floats for the parade — a job Stevens said was a creative process.
“We don’t know what we’re going to do before we do it,” Stevens said. “This year the Lansing Parks and Recreation float is going to have a bean bag toss… We’re trying to do some interactive things so we’re not just someone passing by and the kids remember us.”
Stevens said the parade normally brings out anywhere from 1,000 to 2,000 people. The fire works will see more than half that number.
“We start planning in February because it’s such a large event,” Stevens said. “There’s not a whole lot of new things that we’ve got but we have some great people in Lansing that come out and support and are in the parade showing off their awesome businesses and talents and were lucky to have them.”
Although the parade will remain traditional, Lansing Parks and Recreation Director Brett Kaschinske said the fireworks this year will pack an extra punch.
“This year’s fireworks, compared to last year, is going to be more intense,” Kaschinske said. “It’s the same amount of fireworks but we’re going to increase the intensity in a shorter time period.”
This year Lansing is using Wolverine Fireworks Display Company.
“We told them that we want 50 percent of the show to be the larger shells,” Kaschinske said. “The larger the shells the higher the fireworks and the more visible it is throughout the region.”
The fireworks display will take place at Adado Riverfront Park approximately 10:15 and follow the Lansing Concert Band, or LCB.
LCB clarinet player Elaine Endahl who has played in the band with her husband John Endahl for 25 years said preparation for July 4th began in June.
“We’ve got a lot of patriotic music for the concert this year as usual,” said Endahl. “We’ve got a lot of good marches, and music from famous American composers.”
Kaschinske said the city of Lansing does this every year because it is important to recognize the importance of this day.
“This is our Independence Day… It’s something that all of us try not to take for granted, but yet we do,” said Kaschinske. “The city provides this, its a great time for family and friends to get together and celebrate our independence whether that be in a parade, or at a festival or fireworks they all go together.”
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