Grosse Ile Township Recreation Commission members discussed logistics for Island Fest, scheduled for May 30–31 and June 1, and urged residents to plan for bridge delays and traffic congestion.
Chairperson said the commission and staff have been coordinating with the Skirvik Family Carnival and township officials — including Supervisor Portiarelli and Township Manager Derek Theel — to ensure rides and vendors can operate despite the bridge closure. "We've talked to Skirvik Family Carnival. They know what's going on," the chairperson said, adding the event is still planned as the township's largest community festival.
Members reviewed past attendance estimates and the difficulty of calculating exact crowds. The chairperson summarized a previous year when police counted cars and used a drone over a parking lot to estimate attendance, saying there had been an estimate of roughly 18,000 people on a Saturday during a major event. Commissioners discussed traffic pinch points at the bridge access, payment lanes, and light timing that can create backups; Jamieson said the pay lanes and one‑lane constriction off Jefferson are primary causes of slowdowns. Commissioners encouraged publicity about allowing extra travel time and noted Island Fest had added a third day this year to spread attendance.
No formal vote was taken on Island Fest operations at the meeting. Commissioners discussed staffing, supplies, and reduced product selections for concession stands to manage costs and logistics. Chairperson and staff said they will continue coordinating with law enforcement and township leadership on traffic management, ride setup, and public messaging.
The commission asked volunteers to help with parade lineup, setup, and tear‑down. Officials said they will use social media and event messaging to tell attendees to "be patient, give yourself extra time to get here" and to consider leaving earlier to avoid delays.