12 tips for the well-rounded fireworks watcher
Are you planning to head to downtown Windsor tonight to catch the Ford Fireworks show? It's one of the highlights of the summer, as tens of thousands of people flock to the city's riverfront.
Here at CBC News, we want to make your night as great as it can be. That's why we've been seeking some expert advice about how to do the fireworks 'right.'
Let's begin.
Rino Bortolin
City councillor, Windsor's Ward 3
1. If you're coming to see the fireworks from "far enough out," park in a spot outside where city streets have been closed and walk from there.
It makes it a lot easier, specifically after everything's all done and a lot of people are heading out ... If you have a car in the closed-off zone, it takes a long time to get out by car. - Rino Bortolin on parking outside the area where roads have been closed
2. Find a spot near the Art Gallery of Windsor or Dieppe Gardens for a "great view with not a lot of trees."
3. If you show up early, you may need to kill some time before the fireworks start. Bring a ball or Frisbee, walk around, see the nearby festival or just enjoy sitting on the grass.
I actually like just sitting, just to enjoy an hour of just sitting on the grass on the blanket is actually quite great. So it's nice to just be able to plop yourself down and enjoy the show. - Bortolin on killing time before the fireworks by sitting on the grass
Jo-Anne Gignac
City councillor, Windsor's Ward 6
4. Avoid driving and take Transit Windsor.
Transit Windsor is a great way to get down and get back home pretty quickly. - Gignac on avoiding traffic
Chantal Vallée
Basketball coach for the University of Windsor women's basketball team and the Hamilton Honey Badgers
5. Ride your bike if you have one.
It's the best way to see it. Easy traffic and then bike back home. - Chantal Valleé on biking to fireworks night
6. Do not watch the fireworks on TV. You need to see them live.
"This is something I certainly do not miss. It's a great event. Lots of fun. And you meet a lot of other people too, so it's really good," she said.
Ken Lewenza
Former CAW president
7. Park far for a healthy walk. Lewenza says his family parks at the school board office because his wife works there.
8. It may actually be quicker to get back home if you park far away.
That's the escape plan at the end. If you get tied up downtown, you're in traffic-log jams. But if you can get the further away from downtown, than the better you are. - Lewenza on the 'escape plan' at the end of fireworks night
Melanie Coulter
Executive director of the Windsor-Essex County Humane Society
9. Keep your pet at home unless you know they'll be comfortable.
Our dogs aren't really fans of fireworks or big crowds, so typically we just stay home and keep them company at home. - Melanie Coulter on bringing pets to fireworks night
Yvonne Pilon
President and CEO of WEtech Alliance
10. If you can't watch the fireworks in person, you can always take advantage of technology.
I know a lot of people have moved away for various reasons, but the ability to watch this online brings back a little bit of Windsor to a lot of people, so I imagine we're going to see a lot of viewers online kick in to watch this really breathtaking show. - Yvonne Pilon on watching the fireworks online
Deidre Szokol
A "superfan" of the fireworks
Last week, CBC News put a call out on Facebook. Some people agree that biking or walking down to the river is the best way to get there. Others say it's too crowded and a little dangerous, so they're not going at all.
But Deidre Szokol's comment caught our eye. She loves the fireworks so much, she's leaving work early to go see them.
11. Enjoy watching the people as much as the fireworks.
It's really the main event. As much as I love the fireworks and how it feels in my chest, you get the spectrum of Windsor down there. - Deidre Sozkol on watching people at the fireworks
12. Run into old friends and make some new ones.
"You have no idea who you're going to run into. Old friends that you haven't talked to in years, ones that you're just hanging out with now."
The Ford Fireworks kick off tonight at 9:55 p.m. Tap on the player below to see which roads will be closed, starting at 6 p.m. tonight:
