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Fireworks in the 419

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Gather along the riverfront for the city’s annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration on Friday, July 4, 2025. Fireworks will launch at dark, with prime viewing from both Promenade Park downtown and Glass City Metropark.

This year’s festivities include expanded food and drink options, transportation support, and coordinated viewing experiences across both banks of the river. A detailed guide is included below to help the public plan their evening.

Promenade Park

Promenade Park will be transformed into a riverfront festival zone with local food trucks and drink vendors beginning in the early evening. The splash pad will remain open during the event.

Food Truck Lineup (Summit Street in front of Promenade Park):
Food vendors were selected via lottery and represent a variety of local flavors:

  • Susie Lynne’s Lemonade – 20+ lemonade shake-up flavors
  • Frozen ParadICE – Shaved ice, bubble tea, and Dippin’ Dots
  • Casero Kitchen – Venezuelan street food
  • O'Henry’s Kitchen On Wheels – Comfort food classics
  • Taqueria Jalisco 419 – Authentic Mexican cuisine
  • Dog Waggin – Hot dogs, sausages, brats, and French fries

Beer & Spirits at Promenade Park (5:30 – 10:00 p.m.):
Coolers are not permitted inside the park. Visitors 21+ can purchase beverages from local vendors: Inside the Five, Patron Saints, Quenched & Tempered, Funky Turtle, 60CC, Wild Side, Great Black Swamp, Maumee Bay Brewing Co., Ernest Brew Works, and Toledo Spirits.

Glass City Metropark

Glass City Metropark provides stunning riverfront views and a lively public space ideal for families and fireworks enthusiasts. The park’s expansive open areas offer plenty of room for visitors to enjoy the show. Designated event zones will be located at The Ribbon and the Glass City Pavilion & Event Lawn, where guests can enjoy food and beverage services, including:

Glass City Pavilion & Event Lawn:

  • Los Pollo Loco 419 – Family owned & operated authentic Mexican
  • Tatro’s Concessions – Fresh squeezed lemonade, cotton candy, sno-cones/shaved ice and more!

The Ribbon:

  • The Garden by Poco Piatti – Family owned & operated fast casual restaurant & bar inside Market Hall.

Beer & Spirits at Glass City Metropark (until 10:00 p.m.):
Coolers are not permitted inside the Event Zones at Glass City Metropark. Visitors 21+ can purchase alcoholic beverages inside the Event Zones. No alcohol is permitted outside of the Event Zones at Glass City Metropark at any time.

Event Access & Parking

  • On July 4, all vehicle access will route through a single entrance at 1521 Front Street, via the shared drive with the National Museum of the Great Lakes.
  • Once on-site parking reaches capacity, the park will close to vehicular traffic and only walk-in traffic will be permitted.
  • Additional parking and fireworks viewing will be available at Glass City Upriver (formerly International Park). Please note that there will be no vehicle exit from this area between 9:45 p.m. to approximately 11 p.m., while public safety authorities clear the designated fireworks safety zone.

Middlegrounds Metropark

Middlegrounds Metropark will be closed to vehicular traffic at 5 p.m., but will remain open for walk-in traffic for fireworks viewing.

Boat Dock Access

Public Boat Docking
Boaters may reserve one of the 46 transient slips along the Glass City Riverwalk downtown near Promenade Park, operated by J&M Cruise Lines. Limited dockage is available on a first-come, first-served basis. No advanced reservations – register upon arrival.

  • Dock A, Slips 1–2 (up to 80’, power & water): $80
  • Dock A, Slips 3–10 (up to 35’, power & water): $65
  • Docks B & C, Slips 11–46 (30’–40’, no services): $50

Marine Traffic Rules

  • A "No Wake Zone" will be in effect between the I-280 Bridge and the High-Level Bridge.
  • Exclusion Zones will be marked by buoys near the fireworks launch site at International Park.
  • Emergency-only marine channels will be enforced.
  • Marine patrol will escort boats after the fireworks conclude.

Getting Downtown

TARTA Shuttle Service:
TARTA will provide free rides from Franklin Park Mall (Royer Road bus shelters) to downtown.

  • Begins at 8 p.m. and runs every 30 minutes.
  • The last inbound shuttle departs at 10:00 p.m.
  • Return trips begin approximately 20 minutes after the fireworks conclude, with pickup at Jackson and N. St. Clair Streets.
  • TARPS paratransit service is available until 11:15 p.m.

Regular fixed route service continues as scheduled. Visit tarta.com/routes for full details.

Water Taxi (J&M Cruise Lines):
A convenient river option connects the downtown side to the east side.

  • $5 roundtrip (downtown to restaurants), $10 roundtrip for other locations
  • Riders can board from the downtown docks, restaurant docks, J&M Cruise Lines dock, and Glass City Metropark dock
  • Call (419) 537-1212 ext. 4 for service details

Scooter Restrictions (Veo):

  • A no-ride zone will be in effect throughout downtown (area bounded by Jefferson, St. Clair, Jackson, and the river) and inside Glass City Metropark on July 4.
  • Scooters may be used on exterior trails but must not enter park event areas.

Road Closures and Post-Event Traffic

  • MLK Jr. Memorial Bridge will close to vehicles at approximately 9:00 p.m. and reopen once both pedestrian and marine traffic have cleared. Pedestrian access will remain open.
  • Summit Street will close between Washington and Cherry, including closures at St. Clair for eastbound Jackson, Adams, and Jefferson.
  • Front Street (between East Broadway and Main) and Main Street (at Boers-Boyer Way/Riverside Trail) will close around 9:45 p.m.
  • Some downtown garages (Edison, High Tower, and ProMedica) will be held post-fireworks until pedestrian traffic clears. Vehicles in the Port Lawrence and Superior garages will be directed out by law enforcement.
  • All vehicles parked at Glass City Metropark will be directed to exit via Front Street and routed toward I-280 only. No other exit routes will be available.
  • All vehicles parked at Glass City Upriver (formerly International Park) will be directed to exit via Miami St. toward I-75. No other exit routes will be available.

Viewing Tips and Reminders

  • Park on the side of the river closest to your home or your next destination to avoid gridlock.
  • Use only designated paved parking areas. No parking in grassy or natural areas at Metroparks viewing sites. Towing will be enforced.
  • Do not stop on the side of the road to watch fireworks.
  • Be patient when exiting the downtown area and obey traffic officers.
  • Avoid blocking intersections to ensure smooth flow.

Event Sponsors

The 2025 Fireworks in the 419 Celebration is presented by Owens Corning, with additional support from:

  • NorthPoint Development
  • Hollywood Casino
  • PBF Energy
  • PNC Bank
  • Destination Toledo
  • ProMedica

We thank our sponsors for helping make this free community celebration possible.