After four decades of lighting up the sky, Copper Harbor will not hold a grand fireworks show on the Fourth of July this year.
Don Kauppi, an associate member of the Copper Harbor Improvement Association, says shifting expectations from visitors and recent growth have changed the village’s priorities. For many years, Copper Harbor launched fireworks from a nearby island before transitioning to a drone show. Both options have become prohibitively expensive.
“Campgrounds aren’t a new part of us. But since COVID, they’re rocking,” Kauppi said. “We had to talk to ourselves a couple of times. It’s time for this one. It became more work than fun. And I do a lot of events and you have to have a fun factor for the volunteers. Once you start picking on a volunteer, you’re alone pretty quick.”
Copper Harbor will preserve other Fourth of July traditions. Families from around the county continue to enjoy kids’ games and the annual parade featuring first responders.
The village will also host two concerts at Donny Kilpela Memorial Park on Saturday, featuring Scotty Perkins and the Greenstone Runners.
Copper Harbor’s recent surge in popularity has shifted the community’s focus toward maintaining critical infrastructure to sustain expectations of residents and visitors.
Kauppi helped establish the fireworks tradition in Copper Harbor. For many years, firefighters supported the show by launching it at night after spending the day collecting donations to fund the display. The first show launched from the 10th Street docks before the event was formalized and relocated to Porter’s Island.
Kauppi’s involvement in community events extended beyond fireworks. He also helped organize Copper Harbor’s Longest Day Fishing Tournament and Oktoberfest. Like the fireworks show, changing visitor expectations and shifting demographics ended those events several years ago.
Those interested in find details about Fourth of July events, parades, and activities happening across the Keweenaw Peninsula on Friday and Saturday can find details here.
Copper Harbor’s Fourth of July Parade with fire departments, the Keweenaw County Sheriff, and area businesses will begin at 10 am on the main drag. Kids games and concerts will take place at the Donny Kilpela Memorial Park. Games begin at 1 pm. Scotty Perkins will take the stage at the park at 7pm and will be followed by the Greenstone Runners at 8pm.
