A decades-old tradition means summer is officially underway in Windsor-Essex.
The 60th edition of the Ford Fireworks held the attention of many in the region as it presented itself Monday night over the Detroit River. As usual, throngs of people lined both sides of the river for the annual celebration of the birthdays of these neighbours, Canada and the United States.
Around a million people were expected on both shores to watch the 25-minute display, which is the largest in North America. Roughly 11,000 shells were set off in time to this year's theme, which was "Come Alive in the D".
On the Canadian side, people began gathering in the afternoon to find prime spots, from the Ambassador Bridge to as far east as Lauzon Rd.
Windsor police prepared for the crowds by closing down sections of streets in the downtown core around 6pm. These were roughly bounded by the bridge, Wyandotte St., Devonshire Rd. and the river.
With the streets closed, people moved with ease along the east riverfront. On the riverfront near Lincoln Rd., crowds sat in folding chairs and waited patiently for the 9:55pm start of the display.
When the explosive finale ended, people quickly and quietly gathered their things and worked their way back to their vehicles for the slow but orderly ride home.
For those who didn't want to make the long drive home on a school night, Transit Windsor offered free shuttle buses back to Devonshire Mall, courtesy of Zehrs. McDougall St. was the dedicated bus route, enabling buses to leave the downtown core quickly.
