Tens of thousands of people of all ages descended on downtown Windsor on Monday night for the 68th annual Ford Fireworks, a cherished tradition that lit up the Detroit River with an explosive display. The haze from the fireworks briefly turned the moon red and filled the air with eye-stinging smoke.
Crowds Gather Along the Waterfront
Spectators packed patios, balconies, curbsides, park benches, and lawn chairs—anywhere with an unobstructed view of the Detroit skyline. Windsor resident Louis Doherty, who attended with his family, said, “It’s become a family tradition for us. We ride our bikes over, hang out downtown for a while, then try to find a good spot for the show. We love it. Love seeing everyone out having a good time.”
Vendors Note Economic Impact
Ron Nugent of Popper’s Kettle Corn, a Harrow-based family company that has been selling popcorn at the Ford Fireworks for years, told the Star that sales were slower than usual. “It’s an economy-based issue,” Nugent said, vending with his wife Jean and son Thomas under a tent on Riverside Drive near Ouellette Avenue. “People still want to come out and do the events. Windsor has all of these beautiful events. We can’t blame them for not having as much disposable income as they usually do.”
Pre-Show Festivities
For hours before the fireworks, small planes towing advertising banners buzzed through the sky over Windsor and Detroit as throngs gathered at waterfront parks. With streets closed to motor vehicles in the heart of Canada’s automotive capital, pedestrians and cyclists dominated roadways, many heading toward the Great Canadian Flag at the foot of Ouellette Avenue.
The Main Event
Wispy pink clouds faded after sunset, and helicopters pulled billowing Canadian and American flags past the General Motors Renaissance Centre, signaling the fireworks were about to begin—and garnering applause. Launched from barges anchored in the Detroit River, shimmering bursts and quick, dazzling pops danced over the water. On land, people held up phones to capture the cacophony, while others kept their eyes glued to the sky.
Finale and Aftermath
The finale, perhaps one of the event’s largest and longest yet, saw rapid-fire blasts strobe across the sky, their booms bouncing off downtown highrises and rattling eardrums. When the 24-minute show ended, people fled the core in droves. A westerly breeze carried clouds of firework smoke and particulate matter towards the Ambassador Bridge and Windsor’s Sandwich Town.
