Roads closed north of Wyandotte for Ford Fireworks
Not all Windsorites are thrilled about tonight's celebrations
Windsor police are reminding residents that all roads north of Wyandotte Street between the Ambassador Bridge and Devonshire Road will be closed at 6 p.m. tonight, in preparation for the annual Ford Fireworks.
Additionally, the following roads will be designated no stopping zones from 12 p.m. until 2 a.m. tomorrow morning:
- Glengarry Avenue and Aylmer Avenue from Wyandotte Street to Riverside Drive
- McDougall Street from University Avenue to Giles Boulevard
- Victoria Avenue from Wyandotte Street to Erie Street
Windsorites react to fireworks — and road closures
While the Ford Fireworks are an annual tradition, not all residents are excited for tonight's celebrations.
Wanda Colling, a 75-year-old Windsorite who lives on Riverside Drive East, said she's not looking forward to the road closures that go along with the fireworks.
"I'm really, really angry and I don't think the Windsor police should be allowed to do this," she said.
Colling has an appointment outside of Windsor today, and said she expects to be stopped from entering her home later tonight.
In anticipation of tonight's road closures, Colling spoke with a 311 operator who told her that opening closed roads will be at the discretion of patrolling officers.
Tap on the player below to see which roads in Windsor will be closed ahead of the 2019 Ford Fireworks:
Colling said an officer stopped her from entering her home two years ago — and it wasn't until she threatened to leave her car unattended on the road that she was allowed to park at home.
"I know how arrogant some of these young men are and power happy with being able to tell people what to do," she said.
For Windsor residents who care for animals, like Windsor-Essex County Humane Society executive director Melanie Coulter, fireworks are less celebratory and more stress-inducing.
"A lot of animals find fireworks very stressful, so if they're staying home, leaving a TV or a radio on can mask the sound," said Coulter.
She added residents going downtown shouldn't bring their dogs unless the animals are comfortable with large crowds and loud noises.
"[For some animals], the best course of action is to leave them at home."
The Ford Fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:55 p.m. If rainy weather cancels the event, it will be moved to June 25.