July 4th fireworks across the river moved back to waterfront

People on the Canadian side of the St. Marys River will be able to enjoy July 4th fireworks this year.

At Tuesday night's Sault Ste. Marie City commission meeting, City Manager Brian Chapman announced that the city's 2024 Independence Day Fireworks will be held over the St. Marys River near the east end of the Soo Locks.

The fireworks will be launched at dusk on Thursday, July 4.

Last year, the fireworks were moved to Sanderson Field Airport after the Army Corps of Engineers said the equipment, materials and fuel used for construction at the locks made that area a safety and liability issue.

In a statement to SooLeader, Chapman said:

"This year’s Fourth of July fireworks will take place on the Army Corp of Engineers property providing residents and visitors the opportunity to view the fireworks from the Downtown and along the waterfront. City Staff worked with Staff members from the Army Corp of Engineers and Kokosing to provide the necessary space for the fireworks while minimizing any disruptions to the Locks construction project. We are excited to have the fireworks back to its traditional location. Many thanks to the staff members with the Army Corp and Kokosing for taking the lead on this and making it happen."

City commissioner Andrew Rubinstein says as a resident of the Soo. he likes the move back to the river.

"My personal feeling is that it is a unique opportunity to put on a great display over international waters and something most cities don’t get to do," Rubinstein said.

Don Gerrie, City Mayor, is glad about the location change.

"We are excited to be able to bring the fireworks back down to the waterfront and are grateful for the assistance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Coast Guard, and Kokosing Alberici Traylor, the Soo Locks Contractor. Their work with the fire chief allowed us to be able to get the permitting done in time. The airport location worked great last year and we had many compliments on the event, but we have had many more requests to bring the show back to the waterfront for the best viewing. We even had an offer from Mayor Shoemaker of Sault, ON to help us bring it back to the river if we were not able to get a space secured for it," Gerrie said.

Scott LaBonte, General Manager of the Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours, will once again provide boat tours for the July 4 fireworks over the water.

"Although we have contingencies in place to offer our guests the best fireworks view available no matter which location is utilized, we are happy to hear that the city has chosen to move the fireworks back to their original location. Many viewers will once again get to enjoy watching from the Valley Camp, Tower of History, and green spaces such as Brady Park and Cloverland’s Hydroplant property.  Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours will also have a boat tour Canada Day, July 1, to view their fireworks as they are launched from Sault, Canada," LaBonte said.