Myers Park is the center of Lansing's Independence Day celebration.  For the sixth year the Lansing Community Council is hosting fireworks next Friday (July 1).  That starts off an Independence day celebration in Lansing that continues the following Monday with a 9am service at the memorial marker at the park entrance, and concluding with the annual Lansing Lions Club chicken barbecue.  Everyone is welcome at all three events.

"Come early to the fireworks," says Lansing Community Council President Ed LaVigne.  "I recommend that you take the bus and stay.  The buses will run continuously.  After the fireworks are over hang for a while and enjoy all the food, the knickknacks we have for sale, and if you are happy with our performance support us with a generous donation of your time, your energy, your money or all three."

The Friday event begins at 6 with food by Dave Hatfield and music by Bad Alibi.  The band is a local classic rock staple in Ithaca featuring Rob Romano, Scott Hollister, Sonny Frost, Kenny Romer, Rock Kline, Mark Miller, Jason Macintosh, Glen Coburn, Zach Rohrer, and Larry Milligan.  Hatfield will be barbecuing hamburgers, hot dogs and sausage.

The fireworks themselves begin at 9:30.  Last year the Community Council upped the ante, paying more for a longer fireworks display.  Donations did not cover the more expensive show, but organizers are optimistic that attendees will be more generous with donations this year to pay for the longer show again this year keep the fireworks in the black.  Sponsors are listed on the 'Boom Board, which stands at the park exit.  Levels of giving on the Boom Board are Sonic Boom: donations of $1,000 or more; Big Shot: over $250; Boomer: over $100; and Sparkler: $50 or more.


The Community Council rents the entire park so there is no loss of revenue to  the Town, and other expenses include dumpsters and Sheriff's Deputies to handle the traffic.  The Community Council also makes a donation to the Lansing High School Varsity Football Team in exchange for athlete's help managing parking.

When parking in the park is full, there is plenty of parking at the Lansing schools at the top of Myers Road, which is then closed for the evening.  Buses shuttle between the parking lots and the park all evening, and residents are allowed through to get to their homes.  Handicap parking is kept open throughout the evening, but once regular spaces are filled bus service to the Lansing school parking lots provides access to many more people.  The buses run all evening.

"There's no rush to get out, because music will be provided after the fireworks are over," LaVigne says.  "So if you want to stay for an extra 45 minutes or so, enjoy the music, let the park empty out and you can leave afterwards."

The prayer service is a continuation of a new tradition, hosted by Fr. James Worthington of Holy Apostles Orthodox Mission.  Worthington hosted a service on Memorial Day, inviting other local religious leaders to participate.  The Independence Day service will also honor those who serve in the military.

"On Memorial Day, more than a few of us gathered at the memorial marker at the entrance of Myers Park to mark the holiday and pray for our community," he says.  "The sentiment of the morning was that this was a necessary ministry that has been set aside in Lansing for too long."


What can one say about the Lion's Club Chicken barbecue?  The Lansing Lions fill Myers Park each Fourth of July from 11am to 2pm.  A cake wheel, vendors, and plenty of barbecued chicken are just part of the annual celebration.  The money raised goes to support an enormous list of contributions to the Lansing community.

LaVigne says the Lansing Community Council is always looking for contributions and volunteers to support the fireworks and all the good works and projects the Council takes on.

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