THE TOURISM ASSOCIATION of Dickinson County Area recently donated $1,000 toward the Iron Mountain-Kingsford Fourth of July fireworks display. Presenting the check to Mike Laydon of the Sons of the American Legion is Dave Kasten, director of TADCA. The fireworks will be at dusk Thursday from Millie Hill in Iron Mountain. In case of inclement weather, they will be on Friday. For updates, check The Daily News website or Facebook page. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — Area communities are ready to host their annual Independence Day celebrations this week that will feature parades, music, picnics, games and live music.

Some of the events planned include:

IRON MOUNTAIN-KINGSFORD

John J. Armitage Jr. of Iron Mountain has been selected as the grand marshal for the 2024 Iron Mountain-Kingsford Independence Day Parade.

Armitage has been a volunteer at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center for the past 16 years and for many years served as road captain for the annual Veteran Tribute Ride, which raises funds for local veterans’ organizations. Armitage also received the local VA’s Above and Beyond Award and the national office’s Presidential Award for his volunteer work. He served as a U.S. Navy combat corpsman in southeast Asia/Vietnam for three years, 11 months, and 11 days.

This year’s parade theme is “Let Freedom Ring.”

The parade, organized for the fifth year by the Menominee Range Historical Foundation’s Promotional Committee, steps off at 9 a.m. at the corner of Balsam Street and Woodward Avenue, then proceeds east down Woodward and turns left onto Kimberly Avenue, then right onto Detroit Avenue to rejoin the remainder of the usual route of Carpenter Avenue, then right onto H Street to end at the Super One parking lot.

The judges’ tent will be at the start of the parade this year, so the west, Kingsford side of Woodward at Balsam will not be available for spectators.

The Uren-Cooper-Johnson American Legion Post 50 of Iron Mountain will host a cookout immediately after the parade Thursday at the post at 916 River Ave., Iron Mountain. They will serve brats, hot dogs, hamburgers, corn on the cob and beverages.

Children ages 12 and younger with a paying adult will receive free hot dogs and ice cream.

The Sons of the American Legion Post 50 in Iron Mountain has again organized the annual community fireworks show to take place at dusk Thursday from Millie Hill on Iron Mountain’s east side. In case of rain, the fireworks have been tentatively rescheduled to Friday. Any updates to changes will be posted on The Daily News website and on Facebook pages.

Donation checks can be made payable to SAL Fireworks Fund-2024 and mailed to SAL Fireworks Fund, P.O. Box 1046, Iron Mountain, MI 49801. Those who would prefer to have donations picked up can contact Mike Laydon’s office at 906-774-5357.

To assist with the fireworks fundraising efforts, the Iron Mountain Fire Department will walk the parade route with the “Fill the Boot” campaign, collecting donations in a firefighter’s boot.

Several volunteers will also collect items for the food pantry. They will accept unexpired, non-perishable food, personal care items, cleaning supplies and cash donations.

NORWAY

Norway’s Independence Day parade will kick off at 5:30 p.m. Thursday with the kiddie parade, with the main parade to follow at about 6 p.m.

Participants are asked to line up at least 45 minutes early for judging. No registration is required to take part in the parade. Children are asked to line up on 10th Avenue, with the main parade entries to line up on 11th and Railroad avenues.

The Norway City Band will perform at the bandshell after the parade.

The Norway Volunteer Fire Department will conduct the fireworks display at dusk Thursday.

HAMILTON LAKES

The Hamilton Lakes Association will host its annual Fourth of July boat parade at 2 p.m. Thursday on the chain of lakes.

Participants are asked to meet at the east end of Lake Louise. They will follow the Lake Louise shoreline and travel through the channel and circle Hamilton Lake.

The parade will conclude after the boats circle near the Hamilton Lake boat launch. Prizes will be awarded for most original and most patriotic boats by the Hamilton Lakes Association.

No preregistration is required.

SPREAD EAGLE, Wis.

The annual Spread Eagle Chain of Lakes in Spread Eagle fireworks display is planned for dusk Wednesday.

The Spread Eagle Chain of Lakes Association will sponsor its annual boat parade at noon Thursday, with the theme of “Honoring the Olympics.” Prizes will be awarded.

They will also host an ice cream social at Melin’s on North Lake Channel at 11:30 a.m.

The Badwater Ski-Ters will perform at 2 p.m. Thursday.

FELCH TOWNSHIP

The Felch Township parade will begin at noon Thursday on 14th Avenue and ends at the Felch Community Center.

Fireworks will start at dusk Thursday in Felch.

CHANNING

Channing’s Independence Celebration takes place Saturday, July 6.

The “Stars & Stripes Forever” theme parade will kick off at 3 p.m. down M-95. Participants are asked to line up on Turner Road.

The annual community picnic will follow at the Channing athletic complex. Lunch will be provided by the Sagola Township Sportsmen’s Club.

Adult beverages and soda will be available for purchase. No carry-ins will be allowed.

Bingo will begin after the parade.

Music by Tom Party Tunes will begin at 5 p.m.

Kids can enjoy games and bounce houses from 4 to 8 p.m.

They will also host an amateur cornhole tournament. Registration starts at 4 p.m. Cost is $40 per team. Prizes will be based on the number of entries.

The event is sponsored by the Sagola Township Fire Department as well as area businesses.

Fireworks will be set off at dusk.

FLORENCE, Wis.

A Street Dance, featuring the Just Us band, is planned at 6 p.m. Saturday at The Tavern on Central in Florence.

Festivities will start at noon, with a cornhole tournament and music.

Fireworks over Fisher Lake, presented by the Florence Volunteer Fire Department, will start at dusk Saturday.

HERMANSVILLE

The annual Hermansville Independence Day celebration is planned from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at Hermansville Lake and Park.

The event kicks off with the kids parade at 9:45 a.m., with the main parade to follow at 10 a.m. Line-up and registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. by Stewart Manufacturing. Children are to line up at 9:15 a.m. at the park entrance.

Prizes will be awarded for the best floats and decorated classic car, motorcycle and ORV.

The parade is sponsored by the Sons of the American Legion Post 340.

Food, refreshments, music and games will be available at the park as well. No carry-ins will be permitted.

The Peltier Brothers will be providing music throughout the event.

Those attending are encouraged to bring a lawn chair.

Bounce houses will open at 11 a.m. for kids. Park festivities are sponsored by the William Anderson Sportsman’s Club.

The American Legion Post 340 will conduct a 50-50 raffle at the lake.

Registration for the Rusty Nuts Car Club show next to the IXL Historical Museum will be 8 a.m. to noon, with trophy presentation at 3 p.m. Motorcycles can also be entered. Door prizes will be given out throughout the day.

Registration for the Hermansville Mud Bogs will be 8 to 11 a.m. Runs begin at noon.

The IXL Historical Museum and the Vietnam Veterans Museum will be open for the afternoon.

The fireworks will start at dusk, sponsored by the Hermansville Fireworks Committee.

POWERS-SPALDING

The Powers-Spalding Independence Day celebration will take place Thursday at the Veterans Memorial Park in Powers.

The “Patriotic” theme parade will begin at 10:30 a.m., with cash prizes for the best floats.

After the parade, activities continue at the park with games, food and refreshments.

Truck pulls begin at noon, with registration from 9 to 11 a.m. No carry-ins will be allowed.

Live music will be provided by Larry and Cheryl Pepin, followed by Leo G after the truck pulls.

A fishing derby, sponsored by the Normenco Sportsmen’s Club, runs from noon to 3 p.m.

They will also have a dunk tank, kids’ games and bounce houses provided by North Central Area Parent Network, Little League and Youth Wrestling.

An outdoor market is planned as well that will include local crafters, growers and bakers offering their goods.

The Lions Club will conduct a gun raffle with tickets available at the event.

The celebration is sponsored by the Powers-Spalding Lions Club and the Tony Revord American Legion Post 244 and Sons of the American Legion Post 244.

LONG LAKE, Wis.

The Long Lake Volunteer Fire Department/EMS will host its annual Fourth of July festivities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

The parade steps off at 11 a.m. on State Highway 139. They will have food, beverages and kids activities planned throughout the afternoon at the fire hall.

Those attending are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs.

The Long Lake Volunteer Fire Department will also conduct 50-50s and other raffles throughout the event. Proceeds will benefit the fire department.

The party will continue at the Roadhouse 139 pavilion, with the local rock band Kyndrid starting at 5 p.m.

PEMBINE, Wis.

The Beecher-Dunbar-Pembine will again host a variety of activities throughout the community to celebrate the Fourth of July on Thursday.

A fishing tournament for ages 13 and younger is slated from 10 a.m. until noon at the Dunbar fishing pond, with prizes awarded.

A craft and vendor show starts at 2 p.m. downtown, along with an outdoor cookout at Winters Family Restaurant. They will also have several food trucks set up, and bounce houses for the kids.

A car show takes place from 4 to 8 p.m. at Pembine Automotive. First- through third-place trophies will be given out for best of show. Winners announced at the conclusion of the wrestling match.

We Love Wrestling presents “Independence Day Slam-Ebration” with two shows at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.

The Paul Family band will perform at 6 p.m. at Winters Family Restaurant.

Karaoke is offered from 5 to 9 p.m. at Silver Dollar.

The fireworks are set to start at 9:30 p.m.

In case of inclement weather, the event will be postponed until Sunday.

GOODMAN, Wis.

Music in the Square with John Gorgol will kick off the Independence Day celebration at the Historical Society building in Goodman starting at 7 p.m. Thursday.

On Friday, the action continues with the annual Fourth of July street dance from 5 to 11 p.m. at the Goodman Fire Hall, 506 Mill St. Audion Entertainment will provide the DJ Seismic music starting at 7 p.m. The event is hosted by the Goodman Fire Department, with proceeds going toward needed equipment.

They will offer food, refreshments and raffles. No carry-ins are allowed. Admission is free.

There will also be bounce houses for the kids.

Fireworks will be at dusk Saturday at Hilbert Lake.

IRON RIVER

The Fourth of July parade starts at 10 p.m. Thursday, with line-up at the West Iron County High School bus garage. Participants can start registration at 8 a.m. by the administration building. The route goes down Washington Street to Genesee Street, then west on Genesee to Seventh Avenue, where it will disband. A reviewing stand will be along Genesee Street. Parade prizes will be awarded.

The American Legion Reino Post 21 will have hot dogs and brats from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of the post at 212 Washington Ave. and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3134 will be cooking on the deck.

The West Iron County Fire Department will hand out free ice cream after the parade at the fire hall. There will also be foot races and grain sack races for children.

The West Iron County Fire Department will present fireworks at dusk.

ALPHA

The 110th-annual Fourth of July celebration in Alpha will start with the raising of the flag at 9 a.m. Thursday at the Village Circle in Alpha, featuring the “Voice of the Fourth” Adam Stender, the East Side Veterans Council and the Forest Park High School band.

The “Summer in the U.P.” parade will start at 10 a.m. at the Alpha Brewing Co. and continue through Alpha, then circle back to the brewery. Line-up will start at 9 a.m. behind the Village Hall. Kids will lead the procession.

After the parade, the Alpha-Mastodon Fire Department will provide free ice cream and caramel corn at the Village Hall.

Several vendors — including All Belgium, Alpha Fourth Grill, Curious Pig, Flavor Blast, KLR, Maddog & Eddies Kettle Corn, Smokler’s BBQ, Thermal Chaos and VFW Smashburgers — will offer a variety of food and beverages throughout the day.

At 10 a.m. the Friends of Alpha will host a pie social in the Village Hall.

Kids games begin at 11 a.m. They will have relays and water balloon toss.

They will also have the raffle drawing at 11 a.m. at the tennis court.

At noon, the Yooper Kiddo Land opens that will feature dunk tanks, bounce houses, face painting, and balloon sculptures.

A Vendor and Craft Market will be open for the day.

From noon to 5 p.m., Appleton Axe Throwing will offer a variety of games including axe throwing, cornhole, giant Jenga, Ladder and Ring Toss for all ages.

A volleyball tournament will take place in the court across from the senior center.

Entertainment includes Melanie Rose from noon to 3 p.m., The DayDreamers from 3 to 6 p.m. and Fire On High from 6 to 9:30 p.m.

Fireworks at dark are sponsored by the Mastodon Township and the Village of Alpha.

AMASA

Amasa’s celebration will begin with a sing-along Mass at 9 a.m. Thursday at Grace United Church. The flag raising will take place at 10 a.m. at Joe Mechon Park.

A picnic of brats and hot dogs is planned at 11 a.m.

The kiddie parade will follow at 11 a.m., as well as games and competitions, including a sack race, dash race, ping pong, women’s hay bale race, crosscut saw contest and a coin toss at the Amasa Museum. Ice cream will be handed out after the games.

A duck race hosted by the Amasa Historical Society is set for noon on the Hemlock River, with the raffle drawing at 1 p.m. afterwards.

The community softball game is set to begin at 2 p.m.

After the softball game, the Amasa Historical Museum will host an old-fashioned slide show of Kodachrome transparencies from the Premo family’s private collection starting at 4:30 p.m. at the museum garage. Attendees can expect an hour of slides, as they plan to show at least 50 to 60 images of past Fourth of July celebrations, mostly from the 1960s.

Fireworks will begin at dusk in downtown Amasa.

WAUSAUKEE, Wis.

The annual Independence Day Celebration in Wausaukee is planned Saturday at the Marinette County fairgrounds, 100 Fairgrounds Road, Wausaukee.

The parade will begin at 1 p.m. downtown through Main Street.

The craft and vendors will be set up at 10 a.m., with the horse speed show starting also at 10 a.m. The mini-rod pull is at 5 p.m. in the grandstands.

The Outlaw Junkies will perform from 2 to 5 p.m., with Rapid Transit from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

They will also have a cornhole tournament and air bounce structures for kids, along with a variety of food and beverages available.

The event is free to the public.

Fireworks will begin at dusk from Stumbris Park.

CRIVITZ, Wis.

The traditional Fourth of July festivities in Crivitz starts with a flag raising at 10:15 a.m. Thursday at the Crivitz Community Veterans Park, followed by the parade at downtown Crivitz.

After the parade, the celebration will continue at the park with music, a variety of vendors, food and beverages.

The event ends with fireworks at dusk at the park.