America’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence promises to bring big Fourth of July celebrations all around the country, and Northern Michigan is joining in on the fun.
From fireworks to community picnics to parades to wiener dog racing, there is plenty for people to choose from.
Emmet County
Petoskey
Petoskey is expanding to a two-day celebration with the addition of an America 250 Hometown Block Party from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, July 3. There will be live music, performers, a community picnic, an ice cream social, arts and crafts, games and more.
The city’s parade is set to start at 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 4. The line-up area is at Petoskey High School. The parade will then proceed down Mitchell Street, across on Petoskey Street to Lake Street and then up Lake Street to Pennsylvania Park, where the Petoskey Steel Drum Band will perform. Live music continues at 7:30 p.m. along the waterfront, leading up to the fireworks over Little Traverse Bay at dusk.
The Hotel Perry in downtown Petoskey will be hosting its Fourth of July on the Veranda from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on July 4. Food like ribs, burgers, lobster rolls, hot dogs and more will be available to order all day, and a cash bar will also be open. No tickets are required to attend.
Gypsy Distillery, 5251 Charlevoix Ave., will have its annual Third of July celebration with live music, an outdoor bar and food vendors, face painting, kids games and more starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 3.
Pachamama Floral Design Studio, 413 Howard St., is offering a Fourth of July-themed flower arranging class from 1:30-3 p.m. on Thursday, July 2. Participants will create a red, white and blue arrangement with the guidance of owner Hailey French. All materials are included in the $85 cost.
The Little Traverse Historical Society is joining the America250 Project with a live reading of the Declaration of Independence at 6 p.m. on Wednesday July 8 in Pennsylvania Park. Communities all across the country will be taking part in the project by reading the historic document on the exact date and time as it was originally read in 1776.
Bay Harbor
Bay Harbor’s July 3 celebration features a live performance by Kanin Wren at 7:30 p.m., followed by fireworks over the bay at 10 p.m.
The next day, the Fourth of July parade is set to start at 11 a.m. on Main Street.
Alanson
The Fourth of July parade gets underway at 11 a.m. on July 4 in Alanson along U.S. 31 and River Street. Food, activities and live music will be available in the park afterwards.
Harbor Springs
The Weiner Dog Races are back on July 3 in Jean Jardine Park. Registration is free and begins at 10 a.m. Races start at 11 a.m., with puppy, adult and senior divisions.
On July 4, the Paul Revere 5K and 10 Mile Run will set off at 8 a.m., with proceeds benefiting the Harbor Springs High School track and cross country teams. The American Legion Breakfast is from 8-11 a.m., and the annual art show is taking place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Zorn Park.
The parade gets underway at 1 p.m. on July 4, starting at city hall, heading down Main Street, then turning to State Street and Bay Street.
A pre-fireworks concert featuring the Jelly Roll Blues Band will be from 7:30-9:30 p.m., followed by fireworks at dusk. The evening concludes with a $2 showing of “Grease” at 11 p.m. at the Lyric Theatre.
Charlevoix County
Beaver Island
The Beaver Island Independence Day Parade is set for 1 p.m., starting with an Island Airways flyover. There will also be a Venetian boat parade at 9 p.m.
The weekend wraps up with fireworks at dusk over Paradise Bay on Sunday, July 5.
Boyne City
Boyne City’s “Best 4th in the North” simply has too many activities to list out, so here are some highlights.
The 51st Annual Waterside Art & Craft Fair will get started in Veteran’s Memorial Park on Friday, July 3, along with bounce houses, a rock wall and water slides.
On July 4, the 50th Annual Independence Day Run starts at 7:30 a.m. in Peninsula Park. The Grand Parade starts at 10 a.m., with Olympic Gold Medalist Kaila Kuhn serving as Grand Marshal. This year’s Honored Citizens are Tammy Remsberg and Lloyd Kelsey. Right after the parade, Kuhn will unveil a patriotic mural at the Berkshire Hathaway Building.
The Boyne Area Chamber’s 38th Annual Duck Race is set for 2 p.m. and Jerry Froats’ Commemorative Raft Race is from 2:30-3 p.m., with both events taking place on the Boyne River.
Fireworks will then light up Lake Charlevoix at 10:30 p.m.
The Boyne District Library will also host “Red, White, Blue, & Thank You” from 1-4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1. The patriotic craft event is for all ages with all supplies provided to make a thank you card for a veteran.
Horton Bay
Horton Bay will not only be celebrating the Fourth of July, it’s also celebrating its 150th anniversary!
On July 4, the Horton Creek Band will play live at noon, followed by the parade at 1 p.m., and then hot dogs and drinks at the general store with more live music.
Charlevoix
Grey Gables Restaurant is organizing a community celebration featuring a cherry pie eating contest, live music, a flag ceremony, family activities and more from 1-4 p.m. on July 4 at 06605 U.S. 31.
Only 30 spots are available for the pie eating contest, and all contestants must be lined up by the tent at 2:30 p.m. All ages are welcome, and the first one to finish three pies wins with prizes awarded for first, second and third place.
Charlevoix is also taking part in the Sharing the Spirit of America nationwide America 250 project. The public reading of the Declaration of Independence will take place at 6 p.m. on July 8 at the Odmark Pavilion in East Park.
Walloon Lake
Walloon Lake’s “Big Show Over the Little Village” gets started with live music from Jedi Mind Trip at 6:30 p.m. on July 4 in Village Green Park. A fireworks display over Walloon Lake is set for 10:30 p.m.
Otsego County
Gaylord
The Otsego Lake Fireworks start at dusk on Friday, July 3 at Otsego Lake County Park.
The Otsego Lake Association will also be having a boat parade on July 4. Registration begins at 3:30 p.m. at Otsego County Park Beach and the parade starts at 4 p.m. The parade will travel the entire perimeter of Otsego Lake. Cash prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place.
Johannesburg
On July 4, Johannesburg will have a parade at 3 p.m. and a carnival from 4 p.m. until dusk when a fireworks show lights up the night. A craft show at Charleton Baseball Field will also be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
— Contact Jillian Fellows at jfellows@petoskeynews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Find fireworks, parades, picnics and more on July 4 in Northern Michigan
Reporting by Jillian Fellows, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jillian Fellows, The Petoskey News-Review | USA TODAY Network
