Gary Engle Gary Engle has been the master of ceremonies for the weekend fireworks events in St. Ignace since July 4. While handing out pamphlets of information on events in St. Ignace and socializing with visitors in front of First National Bank on Saturday evenings, Mr. Engle said he has noticed a positive trend stemming from the fireworks.

The fireworks have drawn an increasing number of people from out of town, and even from across the country. Travelers from Illinois, California, Canada, and Texas have signed his guest book.

After several weeks of the fireworks shows, he began to see more and more people walking the streets of downtown St. Ignace.

The August 22 fireworks drew one of the largest crowds he had seen, Mr. Engle said. More than 60 people signed his guest book that week, with the average number around 40. Sidewalk traffic was as high as during the St. Ignace Car Show weekend, he said, where Mr. Engle has been the announcer for 27 years, as well.

"Without the fireworks, I don't think we'd have the people that we have," he said. "I've just heard 'ooohs' and 'aaaahs' over how great it is."

Mr. Engle has been an announcer at many events in St. Ignace for more than 20 years. In addition to the fireworks, he covers the truck show in September, Apple Days and the Great Pumpkin Roll, and the Corvette car show in Mackinaw City. Spencer Crystal often helps him with the electronics.

Mr. Engle has been employed with Northern Star Broadcasting for 27 years and owns his own business, G. Man Entertainment.