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ALPENA — Residents who attend the annual Alpena Fourth of July fireworks display may want to begin strategizing where they can get the best view of this year’s event, as city officials have decided to change where the fireworks will be launched from.

The fireworks, which have been launched from the rear of the property at Mich-e-ke-wis Park for decades, will now be launched from a barge anchored just off of Bayview Park.

The change of venue was needed as Alpena is moving forward with the replacement of its clearwell at the water intake plant, which neighbors Mich-e-ke-wis Park.

In a press release Thursday, the city says the water treatment plant project, which takes place this summer, will extend into the area that is currently the youth skate park next to the plant and normally the launch point for the fireworks.

This location has been used for many years, but the project will make it necessary to move the location of the fireworks for 2024 and future years.

The press release says city staff has worked with Wolverine, the contractor hired to provide the fireworks and launch them, on an alternate plan to determine the best place to host the fireworks and still accommodate the thousands of spectators that attend.

The company will utilize barges that will launch fireworks from a location offshore from Bayview Park. This will allow for a safer fireworks display for the public and staff but it is also more centrally located.

The city said because this summer is the first year for the new location, they encourage the public to plan accordingly before the night of the event.

For years, the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce has spearheaded the fundraising effort to host the fireworks display, which takes the financial burden off of the city government.

The Chamber sold rubber bracelets and pins, with the proceeds going toward the popular event that caps off Independence Day for many years, but in 2023, it changed how it raised money for the show, which can cost in the vicinity of $25,000.

The Chamber challenged at least 50 Northeast Michigan businesses to donate at least $500 each and for them to challenge others to raise the needed money for Alpena’s Independence Day staple event.

Businesses jumped into action and many donations of various amounts were pledged, meeting and goal.

Alisha Bouchard, director of events for the Chamber, said the goal for this year’s fireworks remains the same as last year’s, and the plan is to follow the same or similar fundraising platform.

The fireworks wrap up a day full of local events in Alpena on July 4, which include the parade in the morning, the Alpena News Sandcastle Contest, and a concert at the bandshell.