Meeting each other for the first time, a group of tourists stand on the boardwalk in anticipation of the fireworks Saturday, July 17. Pictured are (from left): Deedra and Jeff Staley of Wayne, Kylea and William Grimes of Ovid, and Mike and Linda Tiefenbach of Bridgman. Fireworks shows that light up the waterfront sky every Saturday night in St. Ignace are drawing in tourists, making the town at least a short-term stop on the travel itinerary for many, and boosting foot traffic and business patronage downtown, supporters say.

Local broadcaster Gary Engle, who meets visitors at his booth downtown every Saturday night, can attest to that. The last two weekends, he says, have brought in guests from Hawaii, Texas, Ohio, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and Canada. The fireworks, which start July 4 and end September 5, are being hosted by a volunteer fireworks committee for the second year.

Local broadcaster Gary Engle (right) and Judy Bonello of the Chamber of Commerce meet with visitors Gordy and Kathy Pollari of Kewaskum, Wisconsin, before the fireworks Saturday, July 17. A familiar face at events around town, Mr. Engle welcomes visitors at his booth in front of First National Bank every Saturday evening during the summer, chatting about the town's attractions and giving away free gifts. “We're the only town doing it in northern Michigan every Saturday night,” said Mr. Engle, who added that people seem more willing to travel this summer in spite of the economy. “We're starting to see a lot of people walk down the streets Saturday nights. They're saying, 'To heck with it, we're going to take a vacation.'”

On the evening of Saturday, July 17, Mr. Engle chats about the town with tourists and gives away gifts at his booth. Meeting Gordy and Kathy Pollari of Kewaskum, Wisconsin, he learns of their plans to visit Mackinac Island and hands a complimentary ferry pass to Mr. Pollari, who responds with a surprised grin.

At right: Preparing to watch the fireworks, Rick and Donna Clifton (left) of Yorktown, Virginia, sit alongside Dorothy Bianchi (Ms. Clifton's mother) and Bob Seymour of Spring Hill, Florida, Saturday, July 17, at a bench on the waterfront boardwalk in St. Ignace. The family was here for her brother’s wedding on Mackinac Island the next day, Mrs. Clifton said, and they stayed in St. Ignace instead of Mackinaw City when they learned of the fireworks here. “We're on our way to Tahquamenon Falls,” Mr. Pollari explained, “and we saw a sign for the fireworks on US-2. We've got to travel before they [increase] gas prices.”

Downtown business owners say they've seen an increase in traffic on Saturday nights, too, and many attribute it to the fireworks.

Hailing from Pikeville, Kentucky, Hayes and Mirkie Bentley (right) sit with their son and daughterin law, Gregory and Marqueta Bentley, outside Bentley's Cafe in St. Ignace. Staying in Mackinaw City, the group traveled to St. Ignace Saturday, July 17, to watch the fireworks. “I've always loved the idea of coming across the bridge,” the elder Mr. Bentley said, “and we've finally gotten to do it.” “It's created positive vibes,” said Tom Della-Moretta, owner of the Gold Mine, a retail store downtown. “There's a palpable atmosphere Saturday nights in anticipation for the fireworks. They offer and create a mood that's so positive. I ask everyone, 'Where's home?' and we've had people from Indiana, Ohio, and Missouri.”

Elizabeth Brown, owner of the Pavillion, said there's been a noticeable increase in walking traffic downtown on Saturday evenings.

“I think the main advantage of the fireworks is to bring families downtown,” she said. “It's only our second year, and I think it's picking up. Crowds start to form across the street during the evening.”

The Driftwood Restaurant, which offers an excellent vantage point for the fireworks, has also seen an increase in business Saturday nights since the fireworks were introduced last year, said owner Tom Sposito.

“The people love them,” he said of the fireworks. “It's something cool for our town that differentiates us from other tourist towns. I had a couple come here that said they were on their way to Canada and planned on stopping to see the fireworks on Saturday night.”

Throngs of people strolled the sidewalks Saturday evening, July 17, eventually making their way to the boardwalk and Kiwanis Beach in anticipation of the fireworks as the sun began to set, slowly darkening the horizon.

Meeting each other for the first time, three couples from downstate gathered at a seating area on the boardwalk, hailing from Wayne, Ovid, and Bridgman. Mike and Linda Tiefenbach of Bridgman have been visiting St. Ignace every summer now for more than 40 years.

“It feels like home for me,” said Mr. Tiefenbach, whose wife has been trying to convince him to move to St. Ignace for years. “We find that it's a unique town, and it's a good jump off point to visit other places.”

“The last two years it has really evolved,” Ms. Tiefenbach added, referring to the lively atmosphere downtown created by the fireworks. “It's become a great place for tourists.”

Rick and Donna Clifton of Yorktown, Virginia, traveled north for the weekend for Ms. Clifton's brother's wedding at Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. Accompanied by her mother, Dorothy Bianchi, and friend Bob Seymour from Spring Hill, Florida, Ms. Clifton said the group intentionally planned to come to St. Ignace for the fireworks.

Dennis Kundinger, owner of Wolverine Fireworks, which is contracted for the fireworks, said, while the company puts on more than 200 fireworks shows statewide, St. Ignace is one of the only communities that has shows the whole summer. Launched from a barge on Moran Bay, the fireworks usually last about 13 minutes, he said, another unusual attribute of the show.

“We've taken a 20-minute show and jammed that into 13 minutes, so there's more of a concentration. The sponsor would like to see a continually lit sky, and that's one thing that we've done for years in St. Ignace,” he said.

Visitors were treated to another spectacular show July 17, which featured seven colors in the grand finale, as well as a strobe lighting effect. Oohs and aahs could be heard from the waterfront crowds throughout the show, and, at the conclusion of the grand finale, a full, town-wide applause resounded through the sky, with people clapping and shouting, and drivers of both boats and cars blaring their horns in approval.

“This show Saturday night was the best one I've seen,” said Chris Shepler, director of the St. Ignace Fireworks Committee. “We're back where we should be with a magnificent light show for [about] 15 minutes on Saturday nights. We're going to keep the hammer down and provide those types of experiences for guests every weekend through Labor Day.”

Praising the city's hospitality, Mr. Kundinger pointed out that, offering the fireworks, St. Ignace is providing free entertainment to its visitors -- a rare phenomenon in today's economy.

“They're opening up the welcome wagon,” he said.

The fireworks are funded through community donations, and contributions are still being accepted. Those who are interested in making donations may mail payments of any amount to the St. Ignace Visitors Bureau, 6 Spring Street, Ste. 100, St. Ignace, MI, 49781, in the care of the Friends of the Fireworks.