Display returns to Russom Park after eight-year absence

After nearly a decade of absence, fireworks are back on the agenda for Dowagiac’s Fourth of July weekend.

Organizers with the Young Professionals of Greater Dowagiac officially received the go-ahead from the Dowagiac City Council last week, as well as reached their $5,000 goal for donations, clearing away the remaining obstacles between them and the celebration. The display will take place at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday at Russom Park.

The last time the community hosted a fireworks show was in 2006, when a local couple helped organize the event, gathering donations from local businesses. Prior to that, the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce
hosted the display for 13 years before stepping down as organizers in 2005.

Despite the eight-year gap, this year’s display will be similar to those in years past, with the explosives being shot off from the runway at the Dowagiac Municipal Airport.

Also, like in previous years, this year’s event wouldn’t have happened without the donations and support of people throughout the Dowagiac community, said Jeremy Truitt, one of the organizers with the young professionals.

“Organizations, individuals, and businesses have all donated this year, and it’s been fantastic,” he said.

Fifteen to 20 volunteers with the organization will be on hand to assist with parking and to gather additional donations from visitors, Truitt said.

“Anything extra we raise will be rolled into next year’s fireworks,” he said.

Also on hand Thursday evening will be county CERT volunteers, as well as members of the Dowagiac and Silver Creek Township police departments.

Parking for the show will be free of charge, offered at the park, Dowagiac Union High School and the National Guard Armory, Truitt said. Certain areas of the park will be off limits for parking, and will be taped off before the start of the show.

The Dowagiac Little League will open its concession stand at the park that evening and sell refreshments to visitors.

“We’d love to see as many people come out and celebrate a fun, safe way to kickoff their Fourth of July weekend,” Truitt said. “We’re excited to see the fireworks come back for the Dowagiac community to enjoy.”

In the event of rain, the event will be moved to Saturday.