Village stays with Zambelli for yearly fireworks display

Wolverine Lake officials have reauthorized and extended a fireworks contract for another three years with one of the largest fireworks companies in the world.

After soliciting several bids, Zambelli Fireworks was awarded the contract for $13,000 annually over a three-year period.

“They were the low bidder and for the last couple years they have kept the price steady,” said Wolverine Lake Treasurer Mike Kondek.

Zambelli Fireworks has serviced the village over the last decade during its Independence Day and Tiki Night extravaganza, which will be held on July 3 this year.

A barge will be set up in the middle of Wolverine Lake for a fireworks display that begins around 10 p.m.

The village used to pay for a large portion of the event. However, given the shift in the economy, fund-raising efforts have been necessary to continue the fireworks display.

Residents stepped up last year by raising funds or tossing in cash donations to meet the goal of $13,000.

The fundraiser that gleans the largest outpouring of support annually is the John Coxeter Classic Annual Fireworks Fundraiser Outing, which will be held this year on June 4 at 1 p.m. at Bay Pointe Golf Club in West Bloomfield.

The cost is $75, which includes golf and an after party.

“We had a turnout of 120 last year — a full house — and anticipate the same this year,” said Village Councilman Mike Stack, who helps organize the golf outing.

The golf event is named after former council member and founding member of the village Fireworks Committee, John Coxeter, who died three years ago after fighting cancer.