Ford Fireworks in Windsor 2018: How to watch this year's show
The annual Ford Fireworks show, which brings people to the banks of the Detroit River on both sides of the border, is marking its 60th year Monday.
The fireworks take place at 9:55 p.m.
The 24-minute show will feature more than 10,000 pyrotechnic effects visible for kilometres along the Detroit River. It's produced by The Parade Co., and Dearborn-based Ford Motor Co. has been the title sponsor since 2013.
Here's what you need to know to celebrate and watch.
Where
Prime spots to watch the show are right along the Detroit River waterfront, from the Canadian Club Centre to the Ambassador Bridge.
Eager watchers set up early in the day, so make sure to go early to grab a good seat.
And CBC Windsor is inviting as many people as can fit on our front lawn at 825 Riverside Dr. W. It's also a chance to watch CBC Windsor News Live at 6 with Arms Bumanlag, which we'll be broadcasting from outside our building that night.
Regardless of where you find a seat, police are reminding people they will be strictly enforcing liquor laws, and drinking outside of licensed establishments is prohibited.
Check out last year's show, sped up by CBC:
Road closures
Many roads in the downtown core will be closed on fireworks night, including Riverside Drive which is closed from the Ambassador Bridge to Devonshire Road.
Areas of Ouellette Avenue, Goyeau and McDougall streets will be closed near Riverside, as well as parts of Pitt Street East and Chatham Street.
Have a look at this map from the city for more:
Free bus rides and shuttle service
For the 10th year in a row, Zehrs has sponsored free bus rides to enjoy the fireworks show.
City buses will be free beginning at 6 p.m. until the end of the service day, tunnel bus excluded.
Shuttle buses are also available from Devonshire Mall, at approximately 6:00 p.m. and will continue until approximately 9:30 p.m. The return service begins immediately after the fireworks and continues until approximately 12:15 a.m. or until all passengers in line have boarded a bus to get back to their car.
Free bike parking
Free secure bike parking is available at Charles Clark Square from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. courtesy of the Windsor Bicycling Committee.
Beginning at 7:30 p.m. you can bring your bike to Charles Clark Square (University Avenue East, across from City Hall) and lock it up safely in the WBC's valet bike parking corral. Volunteers from the committee will be on hand all evening, watching the bikes and ensuring their safety.
Cyclists are asked to bring a lock for their bike. Each rider will receive a ticket to hold onto during the evening; you'll have to return this ticket to retrieve your bike. This free service will be available for everyone from 7:30 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.
The city asks cyclists to avoid riding within the road closure area, along the riverfront trail or around high density areas of pedestrians.
E-bikes are not permitted on a pathway shared by pedestrians and bicycles or on a pedestrian trail (Bylaw 9148).
No special event bus for Tigers game
Special event bus service to the Detroit Tigers home game will not be available due to the lack of access in the downtown areas in Detroit after 5 p.m.
The regular Tunnel Bus service will be running every 30 minutes until 7:00 pm from Windsor and 7:30 pm from the Tunnel Plaza in Detroit.
For the return to Windsor after the game, passengers will be required to make their way to the Tunnel Plaza (south of Mariner's Church). The last bus for the day will be at 7:30 p.m.
