It’s the first day of Summer, 2006, and here at Ralph Roberts Realty, we just love Summer and the Fourth of July (but truth be told… what we really love even more than the Fourth of July are Fourth of July Fireworks). With that in mind, here’s a rundown of local festivals and fireworks displays for this year’s celebration:

New Baltimore Bay-Rama Fishfly Festival
Thursday, June 22, 2006 at dusk
Waterfront Park
Admission: Free
Many events scheduled June 21 - 25
Phone: 586-725-7172

Port Huron Fireworks Display
Saturday, June 24, 2006 at dusk
on St. Clair River; Acheson Site
Admission: Free
Phone: 800-852-4242

Roseville 9th Annual Fireworks Celebration
Saturday, June 24, 2006 at dusk
Veterans Memorial Park
Admission: Free

Melvindale Days Fireworks Show
Sunday, June 25, 2006 at dusk
Kessey Ice Arena at Allen Rd. and Greenfield Rd
Admission: Free

Grosse Pointe Woods
Sunday, June 25, 2006 at dusk
Rain Date: Monday June 26, 2006 at dusk
Parcells Middle School; Mack and Vernier (8 Mile)
Admission: Free
Phone: (313) 343-2440

Livonia Spree ‘56
Sunday, June 25, 2006 10:15 PM
Ford Field; Lyndon and Farmington Road
Admission: Free
Phone: 734-466-2200

Center Line Celebration
Tuesday, June 27, 2006 at dusk
City Park, Lawrence at Engleman
Admission: Free
With concerts: 6:30 - 9:45 PM
Phone: 586-757-1610

Wayne Fireworks Display
Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at dusk
Rain Date: June 29, 2006 at dusk Attwood Park
Admission: Free
Festivities start at 6 PM
Phone: 734-721-7400

International Freedom Festival
Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at 10:06 PM
Rain Date: Thursday June 39, 2006 10:06PM
Detroit River
Admission: Free
Phone: 313-923-8259

Mt. Clemens
Friday, June 30, 2006 at dusk at the Riverfront
Admission: Free
Phone: (586) 469-4168

St. Clair Shores
Friday, June 30, 2006 at dusk
Veterans Memorial Park on Jefferson at Masonic
Admission: Free
Live entertainment, food, and a lot of fun!

Greenfield Village Annual Salute to America
Friday, June 30 - Sunday, July 3, 2006 at dusk
Greenfield Village, Dearborn
Games, contests, Detroit Symphony Orchestra concert

Woodhaven 4th of July Celebration
Friday, June 30, 2006 at dusk
Rain date: Saturday, July 1, 2006 at dusk
Civic Center Park on Hall Road
Admission: Free
Festivities begin at 7 PM with live music, food, and more!
Phone: 734-675-4926

Grosse Pointe Farms
Saturday, July 1, 2006 at 10:00 PM
Rain Date: Sunday July 02, 2006 10:00 PM
Lake Shore Drive waterfront; near Moross on Harbor Hill
Admission: Free
Phone: 313-343-2405

Stony Creek Metropark
Sunday, July 2, 2006 at dusk
near Utica/Rochester
Admission: Vehicle permit
Phone: 586-781-4242

Harrison Township
Tuesday, July 4, 2006 at dusk
Belle Maer Harbor/Mac Ray Harbor Fireworks

Sterling Heights
Tuesday, July 4, 2006 at dusk
Freedom Hill Amphitheater
Admission: Free, parking $5
Phone: 586-268-7820

Ecorse
Tuesday, July 4, 2006 at dusk
Dingell Park, West Jefferson
Admission: Free
Phone: 313-386-2520 x 232

Westland Summer Festival
Tuesday, July 4, 2006 at 10:00 PM
Central City Park - behind Westland City Hall
Admission: Free
Fireworks may be seen from various locations near City Hall including the William P. Faust Public Library and the Wayne Ford Civic League.

Taylor Summer Festival
Friday, July 7, 2006 at dusk
Heritage Park; Pardee between Northline and Goddard
Admission: Free
Phone: 734-374-3906

City of Fraser Picnic and Parade
Sunday, July 23, 2006 at 10:00 PM
Steffens Park, 14 Mile and Garfield
Admission: Free
Parade, food, music, games, rides and fireworks
Phone: 586-294-0450

As many people know, my family and I recently suffered a major loss. For those of you who are new to my company or new to this portion of my company’s web site, I have sad news to share.

My oldest daughter–my angel–my 18-year-old Kolleen, A.K.A. ?¢‚Ǩ?ìKoRo,?¢‚Ǩ¬ù passed away quite unexpectedly on Memorial Day. Kolleen was everything to me and my wife Kathleen and our two other children, Kyle and Kaleigh. These last 12 days or so have been both a horror and an honor. If you?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢re a parent, you know the horror part. The honor part has been as a result of the outpouring of love and support from nearly every corner of the planet, but especially from the people in my own community.

To see for yourself what an amazing friend, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, teammate, neighbor, and daughter Kolleen was, please click here for a tribute blog that was created by some of my assistants in the early hours of this tragedy.

I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ll be back soon with updated news and information about the Warren/metro-Detroit real estate market. Until then, I just wanted to say to everyone who has shared a thought, memory, or kind word with my family and me since Memorial Day, we thank you again from the bottom of our hearts. These are difficult and trying times, to say the least, and your support has been of great comfort to everyone in my family, as well as to the family of Realtors and real estate industry professionals who work alongside me at Ralph Roberts Realty.