SAGINAW, MI — With Saginaw's annual Fourth of July fireworks show just around the corner, Jason Lyons wasted no time staking his claim to a prime piece of viewing real estate.

Lyons pitched a tent at 3 p.m. Monday, July 1, on a raised grassy section of land on Niagara Street near Madison. In an enclave of a few trees, Lyons' tent sits in the only spot that provides shade. From the spot he can see the Holland Street Bridge and a clear view of where fireworks will be launched from Ojibway Island’s north end beginning at dusk on Thursday, July 4.

“We call it the west island because of where it is,” said Lyons, 39, of Saginaw. “Last couple of years I’ve been coming on (July 2), but last year some people were joking that they would beat me here, so I came early this year,” he said.

Getting a good spot to watch the fireworks can prove to be a difficult task if someone waits too long, Lyons said.

Andersen Bridge and the Holland Bridge are closed during Fourth of July festivities.

Ojibway Island is usually full of cars and people, as is the area directly across the Saginaw River from the park, Lyons said, adding Old Saginaw City and parts of Washington from St. Mary’s of Michigan to past the Children’s Zoo at Celebration Square are populated with people watching the show.

Lyons said he has the one spot everyone who comes to the little area across the river from Ojibway wants.

This year's Independence Day celebration is special because Lyons' daughter turns 21 and plans to spend her birthday with him watching the fireworks.

“I’ve been bringing her to the fireworks since she was little,” Lyons said.

Being a nature lover, Lyons said he has no problem camping out for the week.

“We were down here last night making S’Mores, and it was really peaceful,” he said. “And the little bit of rain patting at the tent was nice to sleep to. I go to the house and shower, feed the dogs and water the garden.”

The competition for this prime viewing location began among a few friends in 2009 and has grown each year, Lyons said.

“It’s become a friendly competition to us,” he said.

Lyons said 20 or more tents pop up at that spot between July 1 and July 4 each year.

And when show is over, Lyons said he won't try to beat the traffic to get home. Instead, he's planning to spend an extra night in the tent.

“By noon or 1 (p.m.) on the 5th, I’m cleaning the area,” Lyons said. “I don’t leave a mess behind. I try to leave as little of a carbon footprint behind as possible.”