If you're one of those party people whose agenda includes viewing the Portage Lakes fireworks while on the water, you had better arrive early. If you're traveling by boat to a lakefront home, don't dawdle. Upon arriving, tie up your boat and stay put.

According to Portage Lakes Fireworks Association Chairman Dano Mundy, the Summit County Sheriff's water patrol division will close Kruger Straights to all boat traffic beginning on or about 9:30 p.m. on July 5.

If you're unfamiliar with Kruger Straights, it's the narrow channel of water that runs between West Reservoir and Turkeyfoot Lake. For boaters traveling toward Turkeyfoot Lake it passes under the SR-619 bridge between Dietz's Restaurant and the Upper Deck and exits near the old state park. More recently, this winding channel has also been referred to as Turkeyfoot Channel.

Mundy said Kruger Straights will be closed near the mouth of the channel, where the sheriff's boat house is located at the old state park. He said that if you arrive early and then later you leave for any reason, you won't be permitted to re-enter.

Summit County Deputy Steve Norris, a member of the PLFA, confirmed the announcement. In recent years crowds have increased dramatically, especially boaters who've enjoyed watching the show from the water. Closing Kruger Straights enables the sheriff to control heavy boat traffic that is expected both to and from the fireworks show and to keep boats a safe distance from the fireworks launching site.

In an e-mail, Bill Staiger, area supervisor for the ODNR's Division of Watercraft responded that the New Franklin Fire Department sets the "safe distance" for viewing the fireworks based on the size of the fireworks shells being used.

"I don't have that specifics for the size of the fireworks or the distance the fire department will require," Staiger wrote. "I know that over time, the distance has increased as the community has come together to purchase larger fireworks for the show. Last year's distance was set at close to 1000 feet. This did move the safety area farther up the Turkeyfoot Channel towards the bridge. The usual time to secure the safety zone is approximately hour before the launch of the first fireworks."

Staiger emphasized that their intention is not to prevent those who show up late from seeing the fireworks, only to protect them from harm by maintaining a safety zone per the local fire officials. He suggests using the Turkeyfoot ski zone, saying that it's a great location to watch the fireworks. "The ski/speed zone closes at 8 p.m. so anyone arriving at 9 p.m. will have a front row seat by anchoring in the middle of the ski zone."

Staiger said that in more than 20 years of working this event, he have never seen the "fireworks safety zone" extend that far out (the ski/speed zone) into Turkeyfoot Lake.
Better control of boat traffic ensures a safer show, safer exits and helps boaters arrive home earlier. Kruger Straights (Turkeyfoot Channel) will reopen after the show in order for the public to return home by boat.

In addition, Mundy mentioned that both the old and new state park parking lots will be closed once they fill up. Also, both the old and new state park launching ramps will close. Access to the old state park is made off W. Turkeyfoot Lake Road (SR-619) on State Park Drive. The new state park entrance is off Manchester Road in New Franklin.

In the past non-boaters have always used the new state park's parking lot on their way to the state park beach and because it offers a distinct advantage for the public to view the fireworks show, officials expect the same to occur this year. In past years both parking lots filled quickly.

The waters of the Portage Lakes are considered Ohio State Park property. therefore alcoholic beverages, in either opened or unopened containers, are prohibited on both the state park land and the water. Law enforcement officials will be out, day and evening, in full force. The same laws apply to boaters as they do to automobile drivers.