IRON MOUNTAIN - Parades and fireworks will highlight Independence Day weekend celebrations as America observes the 235th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
IRON?MOUNTAIN-Kingsford - Americans for Constitutional Enforcement (ACE) is once again organizing the Iron Mountain-Kingsford Independence Day parade.
The parade will step off at 9 a.m. Monday, July 4.
Line-up for regular registered participants will begin at 7 a.m. Monday. Enter Pyle Drive from Westwood Boulevard.
V.I.P. line-up will be made available as in the past. These participants will be lined up at the front of the parade behind the emergency vehicles. VIP entries are $50 and will be allowed to arrive at 15 minutes before the start of the parade and still be positioned at the front.
VIP registrants should enter Pyle Drive from North Boulevard and proceed westbound on Pyle Drive.
The parade starts at Balsam Street, proceeding north to Woodward Avenue, then east to Carpenter Avenue, north to H Street, and east on H Street to the Midtown Mall.
This marks the 12th year that ACE has organized the parade. For more information, call 774-1147.
The Sons of the American Legion, Squadron 50 is organizing the annual community fireworks to be held on Monday at dusk from the top of Millie Hill.
To support the fireworks, checks can be made payable to "SAL 2011 Fireworks Fund" and mailed to:
SAL 2011 Fireworks Fund
Post Office Box 1046
Iron Mountain, Mich. 49801.
Squadron 50 officials can be reached at 774-5357 and are available to pick up donations.
KINGSFORD - The 52nd Annual Ford Addition Parade begins at 6 p.m. Friday at the Ford Addition Park.
Located behind the 600 block of Hamilton Avenue in Kingsford, people of all ages are encouraged to participate by decorating bikes, wagons, scooters, and buggies.
The Kingsford High School Band will march in the band.
Parade route is from Hamilton Avenue to Cass Avenue.
Bring a treat to share following the parade.
NORWAY - Norway's Independence Day parade will be held Monday evening, beginning with a Kiddies Parade at 6:30 p.m. followed by the main parade on Main Street.
Line-up for the Kiddies Parade will be on 10th Avenue (north side of City Hall). For the main parade, lineup will be on 11th and Railroad Avenues.
No registration is required. All participants are asked to arrive at least 45 minutes prior to the start of the parade in order to be judged and lined up.
For the safety of viewers, participants in the parade are asked not to throw anything from their entries.
Parade officials ask that you have someone walk along side and hand out the items.
Horse clubs must provide a cleanup person to follow the horses.
Any questions concerning the parade should be directed to Wally Zychowski, (906) 563-5746.
"Come show your patriotism for this great country of ours and participate in this year's celebration," officials said.
Following the parade, the Norway City Band will perform a concert at the band shell located next to City Hall. The fireworks display by the Norway Volunteer Fire Department will begin at dusk.
By order of the Norway Police Department, there will be no parking on Main Street beginning at 5:30 p.m., through the end of parade.
Fireworks will be let off of Norway Hill at dusk.
FELCH - Felch Township will hold Fourth of July activities on Monday.
The parade will assemble on Kelly Road in Felch by 10:45 a.m. and begin promptly at 11 a.m. The route is on M-69 from Kelly Road west to Felch Township Community Center.
All veterans are encouraged to march in the parade along with members of Felch-Breen VFW Post No. 4803.
Veterans will assemble at the intersection of M-69 and Kelly Road, next to the U.P. Telephone building.
Any questions, contact Jim Edberg at 246-3741.
All entries from other areas are welcome. There is no pre-signup necessary.
Fireworks will be held at the Felch Township Community Center at dusk.
SAGOLA - Rand Hruska, Sagola Township Fire Department assistant chief, said this year's annual celebration in Sagola Township will be very different from years past.
"The day, location and events will be an exciting change, and we hope everyone likes the added attractions," he said.
All activities will take place on Sunday, July 3, in Channing. This will allow people to use the holiday on Monday for traveling, resting or attending other festivities.
"We will not be at the Sportsmen's Club this year. Everything is in Channing," Hruska said.
The parade will start at a later time, and the route will be different than years past to accommodate the day's schedule.
Lineup for floats and parade entries will begin about 1 p.m. on Turner Road ( the parade will go from south to north this year from Turner to Third Street). The parade will start at 2 p.m.
Parade entrants can line up down Turner Road behind the fire trucks. As usual, the American Legion will lead, followed by Sagola's Emergency Services and then public/commercial entries.
A fire department or auxiliary member will be on hand during lineup for assistance.
This year's parade theme is "Video Games Of Past And Present." Prizes will be awarded for the best entries in several categories: best commercial entry, most patriotic and best theme entry.
A picnic will follow the parade and will be at the Channing baseball field in the playground/pavilion area.
"We will have beer, brats, hot dogs and pop served by the fire department auxiliary," said Hruska.
Kids games and dunk tank, and a dance will begin about 5 p.m., featuring "The Singing Carpenter" - Dave Piasinii - and the local band "Lock And Load."
The American Legion Auxiliary will sponsor bingo in the old bus garage at the ball field starting after the parade.
"New this year will be a fireworks display at dusk, weather permitting. The fireworks will be best viewed from the picnic area, but should be visible from anywhere around Channing," Hruska said. "The display is funded by money raised at the picnic and by donations which will be accepted at the picnic and anytime by Fire Department and Auxiliary members, and by cans in local businesses."
POWERS-SPALDING - Powers-Spalding Independence Day Celebration is being held on Friday.
The celebration will be at the Veteran's Memorial Park in Powers after the parade, which starts at 5 p.m.
Food, refreshments, volleyball, basketball, horse shoe and kids games are part of the celebration.
There will be 11 air rides by Abra Cadabra for the kids. A fishing derby will go from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Music is being provided by feed. from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Events are sponsored by the Powers-Spalding Lions Club.
HERMANSVILLE - Various organizations and groups in Hermansville have planned a celebration for Sunday at the Hermansville Lake and Park.
Sponsored by the William Anderson Sport and Recreation Club and the Floriano-Stecker American Legion Post No. 340 of Hermansville for nearly 40 years, the celebration parade will start at 10 a.m.
Lineup and registration will begin at 9 a.m. on Earle Drive, by Stewart Manufacturing. Float prizes are $75, $25 and $15. Antique and car prizes are $25 and $10. Best decorated RV's are $15 and $10. Two best decorated bicycles are $5 each.
Prizes will be awarded at the park immediately following the parade.
"Come show your patriotism for the great country of ours and participate in this year's celebration," officials said.
Food will be provided by the Ladies Auxiliary Post No. 340.
There will be live music all afternoon. Refreshment stands, games and races for the kids are also part of the festivities.
The William Anderson Sport and Recreation Club has made elaborate plans for the 19th Annual Mud Runs which will also be held Sunday at Hermansville Lake.
Registration is from 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Racing will start at noon.
There will be stock, modified, and pro stock classes. Running order will be determined by draw numbers. Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded.
The day's festivities at Hermansville Lake will end at 6 p.m.
The Hermansville Car Club has made plans for the 14th Annual Car Show to be held on Sunday, rain or shine, at the IXL Historical Museum.
Registration will be from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. with judging from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In addition, there will be live music with Whitens and Friends and Michigan Highway.
Two museums, the IXL Historical Museum and the Vietnam Veterans Association Museum, will be open to the public.
The IXL Historical Museum is open on Sunday. Last year, visitors gave them the biggest day of the year. The museum group has made many improvements over the years and is looking for a banner season.
The Vietnam Veterans Museum keeps growing and visitors increase every year. Many improvements have been made.
Members of the Meyer Township Volunteer Fire Department are in charge of the fireworks, which will be held at dusk by the Meyer Township Volunteer Fire Department.
No sparklers, fireworks or alcohol is allowed at the fireworks.
SPREAD EAGLE - A special Badwaters Ski-Ters show will be held on Monday at 2 p.m. The show will be on the shores of Badwater Lake at Vagabond Park off U.S. 2 in Spread Eagle, Wis.
Admission is free.
FLORENCE - Fireworks will be launched over Fisher Lake in Florence, Wis., by the Florence Fire Department at dusk on Monday.
DUNBAR, Wis. - Northland Camp and Conference Center will host their annual Freedom Celebration at 6:30 p.m. Friday. A fireworks spectacular show, which begins at dusk, is boasted as the largest fireworks show in northeastern Wisconsin.
The event will include carnival games, a 30-foot inflatable slide, an inflatable Bounce house, dunk tank, and face painting. Attendees can participate in 18-hole miniature golf.
All activities are provided free of charge.
Concessions will also be offered during the family friendly event.
Back by popular demand are Sons of the San Joaquin. Joe, Jack and Lon Hannah will bring the best of both traditional and original cowboy music. Pettit Team Bluegrass are toe-tapping favorites with a Smoky Mountain Flair.
Camp director Steve Pettit will be the event speaker. He is a graduate of Citadel Military College.
Parking is $5 per vehicle. Admission is free.
Northland is located at W10085 Pike Plains Road in Dunbar.
GOODMAN, Wis. - The 6th annual Family Fest at the Goodman Township Park on Lake Hilbert will be held on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Served will be hamburgers, brats, hot dogs, nachos and cheese, walking tacos, beer, soda, and water.
There will also be games and face painting for the children.
A flag retirement ceremony, presented by the VFW/American Legion, will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 2.
Fireworks, sponsored by the town of Goodman, will begin at dusk on Saturday.
There is a $10 annual sticker fee for park admission per vehicle.
WAUSAUKEE - Wausaukee's Fourth of July Celebration and Firecracker Run will be held on Saturday.
A firecracker, 5K walk and run will begin at 8 a.m. There is a craft show at 10 a.m.
Gerry's Polka Band will play from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Neon Detour will play from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The parade will begin at 1 p.m.
Other activities include Darryll's fish tank and bouncers. Food vendors are the Lions Food wagon, Legion beverage tent, Darryll's fries, St. Augustine's Pies and more.
Softball tournaments, youth baseball, volleyball, and horseshoes will be held at Ballas Park's softball field.
The fire department softball will begin at 7 p.m.
From 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Daze 2 Nites will perform.
Camping is available at Evergreen Park.
Fireworks by Joke Fireworks will be at dusk from Ballas Park.
Lutheran Thrivent is matching funds raised by the Legion and Lions for playground equipment.
LONG LAKE - The 8th annual Long Lake Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary Picnic and Parade will be held on Saturday, July 2, at the Long Lake Fire Hall from noon to 6 p.m.
The theme of this year's parade is "At the Hop," (50's and 60's)
Entries interested in winning the cash prizes must be decorated according to the theme to be eligible.
Cash prizes are $100 for first place; $50 for second place and $25 for third place.
Raffles, hot beef, brats, burgers, soda, beer and music will be available at the picnic.
Proceeds will go to purchase new gear for the fire department.
Anyone interested in participating in the annual parade on Saturday should call Amanda at (715) 674-2255.
IRON RIVER - A parade and fireworks will be held in Iron River on Monday.
The parade will leave West Iron County (WIC) High School at 10 a.m. with mass colors of the veterans organizations. It will then proceed through old Stambaugh, down Stambaugh Hill to U.S. 2, left to Genesee Street through Iron River to Fifth Avenue where the parade will disband.
Anticipated units in line of March will be the Michigan National Guard, U.S. veterans, Scout units, antique vehicles, decorated floats, and bicycles and area fire departments and local organizations and businesses.
Any Iraq/Afghanistan War on Terrorism veterans (active, inactive, guard or reserve) are encouraged to march in uniform in the parade, if possible.
Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. on the west side of the West Iron County High School.
Members of the auxiliary units of the Legion Posts No. 17 (Iron River) and Post No. 21 (Old Stambaugh), as well as VFW Post No. 3134 will be on hand to help with registration.
Parade units will form on the south side of the parking area of West Iron High School. The parade committee requests all units use the street between the school and Kermit's Bar as the main entrance to the parking lot.
Due to ever increasing costs for fireworks and insurance, West Iron Pom Dancers will canvass the crowd to solicit donations to cover the cost of the parade and fireworks.
Parade marshal will be Pat Smith of Stambaugh. Smith is an Air Force veteran who served from 1948 to 1954 as a supply supervisor at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. He attained the rank of staff sergeant.
Born and raised in Stambaugh, Smith is a life member of Post No. 21 American Legion and the Ottawa Post VFW. He is currently the Michigan Department of the American Legion Constitution bylaw chairman.
Announcing the parade units from the reviewing stand will be Chet Benson of Iron River.
Following the parade, there will be games and free ice cream for all the children at the West Iron Fire Department Station on Ninth Street in Iron River.
This is sponsored by the West Iron volunteer firemen.
Fireworks will begin at 10 p.m. Monday.
If there is inclement weather, fireworks will be 10 p.m. Tuesday.
To make a donation to help defray the ever increasing costs of fireworks, mail donations to West Side Veterans Council, P.O. Box 433, Iron River, MI 49935 or leave a donation with any of the veterans organizations.
ALPHA - A flag-raising ceremony will kick off the Fourth of July near Alpha Village Hall at 9 a.m. Monday.
The flag is raised by the Alpha-Mastodon Fire Department while the Forest Park Marching Band plays.
The parade starts at 9:30 a.m., and all children taking part will win a cash prize.
Top prizes go to the best trimmed bikes and best costumes. After the parade, free ice cream cones and Crackerjack is available to everyone.
Concessions will be available at the pavilion, located in the park north of the Village Hall.
Brats, hot dogs, soda and beer will be available.
The pavilion will be the site of many events all day. Those include a coin scramble at 11 a.m., kids races at 1 p.m. (wheelbarrow, sack, three-legged and egg races), and egg toss for those 12 and over at 3:30 p.m. Cash prizes go to the winners.
Music at the pavilion will be performed by two bands, Crossroads and Stager. Also, the winner of the Forest Park Athletic Department's "cow bingo" raffle will be selected-the cow will be set loose on the softball field at about 10 a.m. First prize is $2,000.
Elsewhere in the village, a pasty sale will be held at the Alpha Senior Center starting at 9 a.m., and the Alpha Museum holds an open house from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum's annual raffle drawing is at 3 p.m.
A fireworks display will be at dusk, hosted by the Alpha-Mastodon Fire Department.
AMASA - Festivities also begin at 9 a.m. Monday in Amasa with an ecumenical church service at Grace United Methodist Church.
The flag-raising ceremony will occur at Hemlock River Park, just south of the downtown area on Old 141, at 10:30 a.m.
Races will be held for kids up to 12 years old at 11 a.m., followed by a coin scramble. For adults, there will be hay bale races for the women and cross-cut sawing for both men and women.
Crackerjack and ice cream will be available at the fire hall at 1 p.m., and the annual softball game starts at 2 p.m.
The Amasa Museum will also be open during the day.
Lisa M. Hoffmann's e-mail address is lhoffmann@ironmountaindailynews.com.
