There is nothing like fireworks to celebrate the 4th of July, and the Young Professionals of Greater Dowagiac delivered beyond expectations on Friday, June  29 to the delight of the Dowagiac community.

The 2018 fireworks were the fifth annual show YPGD has presented, and were only possible thanks to the great support shown by the people, businesses and public services of Dowagiac.  The spectacular fireworks, curated by YPGD member Kirk Proshwitz, are testimony to the spirit of community evident in Dowagiac, and the YPGD are excited to continue the tradition into the future.

YPGD is incredibly grateful to the more than 60 individuals and businesses who sponsored the 2018 fireworks (a 10-fold increase on 2017!), and local Police, Fire and Public Works departments who made sure of spectator safety and enjoyment.  Please join us in thanking our sponsors by using choosing local services and shops whenever possible, so greater Dowagiac may continue to prosper.

We recognize and thank our many sponsors:

Double Grand Finale Sponsor ($1,200): Southwestern Michigan College

Grand Finale Sponsors ($500): Accounting Consultants PC, Dr. Mathews Family, F&V Operations and Resource Management, Honor Credit Union, McDonald Underground, Wolverine Mutual Insurance.

Rocket Sponsors ($250): Creative Foam, Eckman Chiropractic Clinic, Imperial Furniture, Jim D’s Body Shop, Lyons Industries, Symonds Machine, Victory Tabernacle

Firecracker Sponsors ($100): Arnt Asphalt Sealing, Inc., Terry & Ruth Ausra, Bakeman Barbers, Booth’s Country Florist, Bud Distributing, C. Wimberley Ford, Casual Tee’s Inc, Chi Ishoback, Cressy & Everett, David Krueger’s Company, Deck the Halls, Erick’s Carpet Cleaning, Fryman’s Recycling #1, Hales True Value Hardware, Hannapel Home Center, Joe & Martha Hassle, Krook Container, Mahar Insurance, Midwest Energy, Oil Can Alley, Olympia Books, Rohdy’s Heating & Cooling, Semco, Art & Carol Springsteen, Sustainable Recycling, Inc., Fifth Third Bank, Twistees

Sparkler Sponsors ($50): Amersdorfer-Wiltse, Ausra Equipment, Gary Bailey, BT’s Pub, Dowagiac District Library, Bonnie Latourette, Mane Attraction, Manor Mini-Mart, Mathew V. Cripe DDS, Napa, Bob & Sherry Peters, Henry & Patsy Taylor, Vylonis Contracting, Inc., Roberta Woodruff

Red, White and Blue Sponsors $25: Deerpath Recycling, Inc., Bernice Gwilt, Heartland, Joseph & Laura Odenwald, Christine Scelzo, Doug & Amy Wagoner, Ray Clomes

We also want to acknowledge the many citizens who donated and purchased glow sticks from the YPGD the night of the Fireworks. Thanks for your support!   

Special thanks to our in-kind donors: Wightman & Creative Vinyl Signs.

Questions about the YPGD and our future events can be answered by: Pat Bakeman of Bakeman Barbers 782-5694, Becky Grabemeyer 783-2505 or by email: YPDowagiac@gmail.com

Bae Schilling

Dowagiac