Come July 4, Bayfront Festival Park will be a melting pot of American icons such as Sousa marches, fireworks and, of course, mini donuts. All are part of the 2009 Fourthfest, Duluth's annual Independence Day celebration.
Free and open to the public, Fourthfest opens its gates at noon, and offers a full schedule of entertainment for all ages, culminating in Duluth's renowned Fourth of July fireworks display.
The fireworks, coordinated by the Visit Duluth tourism organization, are an annual favorite of adults and kids alike -- and rightly so.
Terry Mattson, CEO of Visit Duluth, said the Duluth fireworks display is "the largest pyrotechnic display in Minnesota. They have earned the reputation as the best around."
Comparing size of the fireworks display and the shells themselves, the Duluth fireworks are second only to Chicago, Mattson said.
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The 2009 fireworks will start at 10:10 p.m. and last about 15 to 20 minutes. Visit Duluth contracted a professional pyrotechnics firm to develop and conduct the show.
The fireworks will be choreographed to music, which can be heard during the show on 92.1 Lite FM.
Mattson said the fireworks cost more than $50,000.
"We'll shoot over 3,700 individual shells, so it will be our biggest ever in terms of budget and the number of shells that we are launching into the skies," Mattson said. "It will be spectacular. You won't be disappointed."
The fireworks display is paid for by Duluth visitors (and some residents) by way of the tourism tax.
"This is the tourism industry's way of giving back to the community," he said. "More than anything, Duluthians, thank the visitors for a wonderful fireworks display."
The fireworks will be launched just to the west of Bayfront Festival Park, the epicenter of the Fourthfest attractions.
Secret Service Entertainment, which manages the park for the city of Duluth, has scheduled a full docket of local and regional musical acts, as well as dozens of food and craft vendors throughout the day and night.
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Breaking Glass, winner of the 2009 Battle of the Bands, kicks off the live music at 2 p.m.
Taking the stage next are Circuit Breakers, AM rubin, and Rock-A-Billy Revue.
The headlining musical act will be a free outdoor performance from the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra at 8:15 p.m.
Steve Grazier, of Secret Service Entertainment, said the DSSO performance will include selections ranging from John Phillip Sousa to John Williams, "a very patriotic, Americana score."
Grazier encourages visitors and Duluthians alike to stick around after the music for a front-row seat for the fireworks display.
"Just the scope and the size of display when you are almost right underneath it is pretty impressive," Grazier said. Mattson agreed, but said the fireworks will be hard to miss, no matter where you are.
"As the focal point of Fourthfest activities, Bayfront is obviously a great place to watch," Mattson said. "But Duluth is somewhat of a natural amphitheater, so there are many good venues. And our show is specifically designed to accommodate viewing everywhere from West Duluth out to Brighton Beach."
There is parking within walking distance of Bayfront available downtown or in Canal Park.
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"We are looking forward to lighting everything up on the Fourth," Mattson said. "It's a popular event for residents and visitors alike."
