July 2, 2025 • 5 mins
The City of Grand Rapids will hold it's annual fireworks downtown this Saturday July 5. Russ Hines with Riverbank Events and Media joins us to discuss everything you need to know if you are heading to the show!
More information can be found here: https://4thofjulygr.com/
More information can be found here: https://4thofjulygr.com/
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Well, we had is red, white and Blue in studio.
I don't know if that would have noticed if you didn't,
but I sure noticed that you do. As we get
ready for the fourth of July. The day is Friday,
but the fireworks downtown Grand Rapids are on Saturday. This
is West Michigan's Morning News. Steve Kelly, Brett, Bikita Russ
Hines is back with Riverbank Events and Media, the cat
(00:20):
behind the Fireworks, putting the big show on.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Hi.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
Russ, thanks for coming in today. Good morning, Steve Brett.
Thanks for having me this morning. So we all know
that things happen late like ten thirty the fireworks go
off at anabu And Park, but there's stuff going on.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
For a good portion of the day.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
Tell us a little bit about what to expect.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
So we will be down at an Ablon Park probably
around eight am, starting to get set up. I mean,
it takes a full day to put together the entire
show and all of that fun filled stuff, but you know,
everything gets going at six o'clock we'll.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
Do the National anthem and then.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
At seven o'clock we've got Hank and the Hawk Tones playing.
And if you've ever seen Hank Mawory before, but he
does a fantastic job. Then the Green Bridge Band at
eight point fifteen, and then fireworks will start promptly at
ten thirty. So we're excited about this year's show. You know,
We've got some new things that we've added for this show,
and we encourage everybody to go to their local community
(01:15):
and the fourth whether it's in Rockford or Caledonia or
Hudsonville or wherever it might be, and then come downtown
on Saturday night and join us for a lot of fun.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
It'll be a great evening.
Speaker 4 (01:25):
And that's the other part Russ that I wanted to
bring up that you're in collaboration obviously with a lot
of these communities. You kind of know what's going on.
I know East Ground Rapids is one that's big that
they do their Fourth of July, and you traditionally have
kind of fallen on Saturday around the fourth of July.
If it works out because there are other events going on,
you don't necessarily want to take away from that, and
everyone could come downtown then and see the big display.
Speaker 3 (01:46):
Correct Bright I mean, so we got together with the
city a few years ago because the city is co
sponsoring this event, and we talked about, you know, what
would be the best date to bring people downtown so
they visit the restaurants and shops and take advantage of
everything that downtown has to offer.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
And we came up with the first Saturday in July.
Speaker 3 (02:02):
So that's when the fireworks will always follow as long
as I'm involved, anyway, will be that first Saturday.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
So it turns out to be great for everybody.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
Hotels can count on experience, Grand Rapids can count on
it for convention business.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
It just works out really really well.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
Speaking of collaborations, talk to us about your title sponsor
once again.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
Well, we are very lucky to have storing Ego Casino
and Resort back as our title sponsor. They've been very
helpful in the West Michigan community. They want to help
see big events happen here and we're really we're really
fortunate to have them. We also have Meyer the Kendall
Lighting Center is involved this year. As I mentioned already,
the city of Grand Rapids and experienced Grand Rapids. We
(02:42):
also have Redwater Events golf and dining this year that
they're involved. And then Live Space, who provides the jumpbotron
on the stage for everybody because we show videos from
the city talking about, you know, new things that they
might have to offer and park specials and things like that.
And then of course the Amway Riverbank and the gen
Tech standad prey sponsors.
Speaker 4 (03:03):
So russ I imagine everything as far as just coming
down and kind of partaking free or is there an
a mission involved with certain things? And then also what
do they need to know as far as parking and
like roads that might be closed.
Speaker 3 (03:15):
So in regards to the event itself, everything is one
hundred percent free. So I mean, you know, you're welcome
to maring a picnic, cooler or whatever you want down,
but it is subject to search.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
There are no there's no alcohol.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
There's no social zone during the fireworks as well, so
if you are getting a cocktail someplace to make sure
to finish it up before you head out. No weapons
that kind of thing, and no animals. Those are the
big ones. Is that we want to keep everybody safe
and make this a family fun event. In regards to parking,
my suggestion is to park and some of these ramps
that are over on the east side of downtown Grand Rapids.
(03:50):
You're gonna thank me when you want to leave and
get out of here.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
You know, the closer that you try to park to
a Nabylon Park, the longer you're gonna sit in traffic
and wait. So the lots that are, you know, up
on this area, like Monroe Center Lot or Ionian Pearl
or Fultlan Ottawa, those are the places that I would
probably recommend trying to park. You're gonna have a much
better chance of getting out at the end of the night.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
I mean, there's gonna be thousands of people that come downtown.
Just plan on it. Taking a little extra time or
watch something on the TV. You know, it's the fourth
of July, right, you're gonna wait, who cares?
Speaker 2 (04:23):
How's that?
Speaker 4 (04:24):
And the beauty thing is you've got so much space here,
like Russa, there's so many great vantage points downtown. You
don't necessarily have to be at an Oboe Park. I
know the entertainment is there, but I'm just saying, if
you want to come down and partake, maybe have dinner
or whatever the case might be, all that's a short
walk from those rams that you just mentioned.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
Oh without question.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
The other thing keep in mind is that I know
a lot of people like to sit on the Pearl
Street Bridge. There is construction on the northbound lanes of
the bridge right now, and that is going to still
be intact on Saturday. So if you've sat there for
years and years and years, you're probably gonna have to
find a new spot this year. Chigin street Bridge Street
(05:01):
that will that will be open for people to stand on.
We'll close both bridges probably around eight fifteen, eight thirty
something like that. We'll also close the Pearl Street ramp
probably about eight thirty off of one thirty one.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
We'll get the links to Fourth of July gr dot
com in the podcast section atwood Radio dot com. Russ
Hines always great stuff, good luck for a big event,
safe event on Saturday.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Thank you, sir, appreciate it.
Well, we had is red, white and Blue in studio.
I don't know if that would have noticed if you didn't,
but I sure noticed that you do. As we get
ready for the fourth of July. The day is Friday,
but the fireworks downtown Grand Rapids are on Saturday. This
is West Michigan's Morning News. Steve Kelly, Brett, Bikita Russ
Hines is back with Riverbank Events and Media, the cat
(00:20):
behind the Fireworks, putting the big show on.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Hi.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
Russ, thanks for coming in today. Good morning, Steve Brett.
Thanks for having me this morning. So we all know
that things happen late like ten thirty the fireworks go
off at anabu And Park, but there's stuff going on.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
For a good portion of the day.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
Tell us a little bit about what to expect.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
So we will be down at an Ablon Park probably
around eight am, starting to get set up. I mean,
it takes a full day to put together the entire
show and all of that fun filled stuff, but you know,
everything gets going at six o'clock we'll.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
Do the National anthem and then.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
At seven o'clock we've got Hank and the Hawk Tones playing.
And if you've ever seen Hank Mawory before, but he
does a fantastic job. Then the Green Bridge Band at
eight point fifteen, and then fireworks will start promptly at
ten thirty. So we're excited about this year's show. You know,
We've got some new things that we've added for this show,
and we encourage everybody to go to their local community
(01:15):
and the fourth whether it's in Rockford or Caledonia or
Hudsonville or wherever it might be, and then come downtown
on Saturday night and join us for a lot of fun.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
It'll be a great evening.
Speaker 4 (01:25):
And that's the other part Russ that I wanted to
bring up that you're in collaboration obviously with a lot
of these communities. You kind of know what's going on.
I know East Ground Rapids is one that's big that
they do their Fourth of July, and you traditionally have
kind of fallen on Saturday around the fourth of July.
If it works out because there are other events going on,
you don't necessarily want to take away from that, and
everyone could come downtown then and see the big display.
Speaker 3 (01:46):
Correct Bright I mean, so we got together with the
city a few years ago because the city is co
sponsoring this event, and we talked about, you know, what
would be the best date to bring people downtown so
they visit the restaurants and shops and take advantage of
everything that downtown has to offer.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
And we came up with the first Saturday in July.
Speaker 3 (02:02):
So that's when the fireworks will always follow as long
as I'm involved, anyway, will be that first Saturday.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
So it turns out to be great for everybody.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
Hotels can count on experience, Grand Rapids can count on
it for convention business.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
It just works out really really well.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
Speaking of collaborations, talk to us about your title sponsor
once again.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
Well, we are very lucky to have storing Ego Casino
and Resort back as our title sponsor. They've been very
helpful in the West Michigan community. They want to help
see big events happen here and we're really we're really
fortunate to have them. We also have Meyer the Kendall
Lighting Center is involved this year. As I mentioned already,
the city of Grand Rapids and experienced Grand Rapids. We
(02:42):
also have Redwater Events golf and dining this year that
they're involved. And then Live Space, who provides the jumpbotron
on the stage for everybody because we show videos from
the city talking about, you know, new things that they
might have to offer and park specials and things like that.
And then of course the Amway Riverbank and the gen
Tech standad prey sponsors.
Speaker 4 (03:03):
So russ I imagine everything as far as just coming
down and kind of partaking free or is there an
a mission involved with certain things? And then also what
do they need to know as far as parking and
like roads that might be closed.
Speaker 3 (03:15):
So in regards to the event itself, everything is one
hundred percent free. So I mean, you know, you're welcome
to maring a picnic, cooler or whatever you want down,
but it is subject to search.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
There are no there's no alcohol.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
There's no social zone during the fireworks as well, so
if you are getting a cocktail someplace to make sure
to finish it up before you head out. No weapons
that kind of thing, and no animals. Those are the
big ones. Is that we want to keep everybody safe
and make this a family fun event. In regards to parking,
my suggestion is to park and some of these ramps
that are over on the east side of downtown Grand Rapids.
(03:50):
You're gonna thank me when you want to leave and
get out of here.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
You know, the closer that you try to park to
a Nabylon Park, the longer you're gonna sit in traffic
and wait. So the lots that are, you know, up
on this area, like Monroe Center Lot or Ionian Pearl
or Fultlan Ottawa, those are the places that I would
probably recommend trying to park. You're gonna have a much
better chance of getting out at the end of the night.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
I mean, there's gonna be thousands of people that come downtown.
Just plan on it. Taking a little extra time or
watch something on the TV. You know, it's the fourth
of July, right, you're gonna wait, who cares?
Speaker 2 (04:23):
How's that?
Speaker 4 (04:24):
And the beauty thing is you've got so much space here,
like Russa, there's so many great vantage points downtown. You
don't necessarily have to be at an Oboe Park. I
know the entertainment is there, but I'm just saying, if
you want to come down and partake, maybe have dinner
or whatever the case might be, all that's a short
walk from those rams that you just mentioned.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
Oh without question.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
The other thing keep in mind is that I know
a lot of people like to sit on the Pearl
Street Bridge. There is construction on the northbound lanes of
the bridge right now, and that is going to still
be intact on Saturday. So if you've sat there for
years and years and years, you're probably gonna have to
find a new spot this year. Chigin street Bridge Street
(05:01):
that will that will be open for people to stand on.
We'll close both bridges probably around eight fifteen, eight thirty
something like that. We'll also close the Pearl Street ramp
probably about eight thirty off of one thirty one.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
We'll get the links to Fourth of July gr dot
com in the podcast section atwood Radio dot com. Russ
Hines always great stuff, good luck for a big event,
safe event on Saturday.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Thank you, sir, appreciate it.
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