Uptown Fireworks - But Where?

We're getting conflicting reports about the location of the July 4th city fireworks show, which - you may recall - were scheduled to be held in the Montrose Harbor area, as one of three shows to replace the Grant Park extravanganza.  There were immediate objections from birders and conservationists who were concerned that the crowds of people would be disastrous for the migrating birds and wild grasses at Montrose Point.

So now Montrose Harbor is apparently out of the running, but where will the fireworks be held?  North or South?

From the Beat 2024 CAPS meeting last week:  "The fireworks barge will be centered on the lake between Lawrence & Foster on July 4 for the show.  Our area’s east/west streets will be shut down to vehicular traffic from Lawrence to Foster.  Sheridan will be closed from Lawrence to Foster, as will Marine Drive.  The police will be using Margate as their base of operations.  Broadway will be open for north/south vehicular traffic.  The police are expecting up to 400,000 people to come into our area for the fireworks - I have to believe that it will be similar to the crowds that came downtown - very early arrivals, staking out a park area and waiting for the show.  COUNT ON THIS AS BEING AN ALL DAY AFFAIR.  It’s going to be crowded, noisy, and will leave us very dirty.  Please make aware of the street closings, and adjust your plans accordingly.  I will try and get the actual timing of the street closures to send out and will put out periodic reminders of this.  Saddle & Cycle will still host their annual fireworks display on Saturday, July 3rd."

- And then -

The Lincoln Park Advisory Council March meeting minutes report "on the City’s decision to move the July 4 fireworks from Montrose Beach to the area east of Belmont Harbor near the Clock Tower at Waveland. The various birding stewards in the area have agreed that this is the best area for the fireworks. They are concerned about destroying the fragile ecosystem on the beach and in the area that attracts so many birds. The Montrose stewards are working on increasing security at Montrose on July 4th to protect the habitats."

Guess we'll find out eventually.  As for us, seems like July 4th is a good time to stay put or visit friends, because it sounds like gridlock until July 5th.