By Sterling McGinn
Are you ready for Independence Day—parades and fireworks?
The communities of Newberry, Curtis, Naubinway, Hulbert, Grand Marais and Paradise are ready to help you celebrate with four days worth of fun and activities beginning this weekend.
Hulbert
The Hulbert Freedom Fest begins Saturday, July 1 starting with a parade to roll off at 12 p.m. The lineup will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the American Legion Post 393. The parade will travel to downtown Hulbert.
An ice cream social will immediately follow the parade, and the bounce house will open.
From 1:30 – 4:30 p.m., games will take place at the Hulbert Township Park. Concessions will be served from 12:30 p.m. to dusk.
There will also be games and contests for adult. At 3 p.m. adults can participate in a tug-of-war, balloon darts, and a stein holding contest. A cornhole tournament is set to start at 4 p.m.
Finally, fireworks begin at dusk.
Curtis
2023 marks the 50th Annual Independence Day Celebration in Curtis and to mark the occasion, the community has two days of events planned.
On Saturday, July 1, a golf tournament begins at 9 a.m. at the JP Memorial Golf Course, located between Curtis and Germfask.
There will be vendors and a beer tent on the grounds of the Erickson Center for the Arts from noon – 6 p.m.
For those who love music, three separate live performances will occur at the Erickson Center pavilion. Tara Handrich Schwerin will sing a patriotic tribute from 12-12:30 p.m. The PBR band will play Blues and Rock music from 1-3 p.m. and the Mark Blomsteel band will perform Country Blues from 3:30 to 6 p.m.
On Sunday, July 2, the vendor field will open at 10 a.m.
The Manistique Lakes Lions Club will serve their popular BBQ chicken at the Lions Club pavilion from 11 a.m. until gone.
The Biggest Little Town Parade will roll out at 12:30 p.m. The parade will travel on Main Street from east to west and will end at the Erickson Center where vendors will be open until 5 p.m. The Chamber beer tent will open at 12 p.m.
Live music by the parade bands starts at 2 p.m. at the pavilion.
The Curtis fireworks display begins at dusk.
Naubinway
The community of Naubinway is celebrating Independence Day with two days of activities and events.
On Monday, July 3, a Kiddie Parade will take place at 7 p.m. at the Naubinway pavilion.
Following the Kiddie Parade there will be free kid’s games sponsored by the Engadine High School Key Club.
On Tuesday, July 4, the 41st Annual Black Bear Run will take place beginning at 8 a.m. at the Engadine school. Runners can participate in a 12k, 6k, or can choose to run or walk.
The carnival will take place at the Naubinway pavilion from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities will include Lions Club games, Knights of Columbus fish fry, a bake sale, Engadine Library used book sale and concessions.
The Top of the Lake Fourth parade is set to begin at 1 p.m.
Finally, the Thunder Over the Bay fireworks show will start at dusk.
Newberry
The Newberry community will kick off the Fourth with a fireworks display at dusk on Saturday, July 1 at Schubach Farms Cabin Rentals on south M-123.
A bounce house and other activities for will be set up on site before the fireworks.
The 44th Annual Kiwanis Club Fourth of July Parade will be held on Tuesday, July 4. This year’s theme is Newberry’s Superheroes: Honor your favorite superhero.
Line up for the parade takes place along East Victory Way at 9 a.m.
The parade begins at 10 a.m. and will travel the usual route, from the American Legion to Newberry Avenue turning west onto Helen Street. The parade will make its way by the Golden Leaves Living Center and back to Victory Way.
The Newberry Fire Department is once again holding their annual Community Day and BBQ immediately following the parade and ending at 2 p.m.
Firefighter Bruce Klusmeyer said the event will include a water slide, kid’s games, tours of the hall and food and refreshments.
The Annual Historic Photo is returning for the first time since 2019.
The show is presented by Sterling McGinn and Jim Dwyer and is sponsored by the Tahquamenon Education Foundation.
Due to construction projects at Tahquamenon Area Schools, the venue has moved to the American Legion big hall.
The display will be open for viewing on Monday, July 3 from 7 – 9 p.m. and on July 4 after the parade until 2 p.m.
There will be many new additions to the collection on display.
The Luce County Historical Society will be hosting an Open House on July 4 at the Old Jail and Sheriff’s Residence Museum at 411 W. Harrie Street (across from Helen Newberry Joy Hospital’s main entrance). The event will last from 12 noon to 3 p.m. and admission is by donation.
The Newberry Elks Lodge is hosting their Chicken BBQ on July 4 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. or gone.
Luce County Pet Pals and the Luce County Animal Shelter is holding a bake sale beginning at 9 a.m. on July 4 on the north lawn of the Newberry Community Building (next to fire hall) to benefit their monthly food pantry.
The group will also display photos and information about many of the cats and dogs available for adoption.
There will also be a new event this year: the Carpenter Bucket Golf Tournament.
It’s an effort to raise funds to update the track at the football field, led by the Newberry High School Athletic Department. The Carpenter Bucket Golf Tournament takes place on July 4 at 12 p.m. at the Newberry Football Field.
There will also be free candy bags for kids, root beer floats for purchase, and youth events by 4-H.
Grand Marais
The Grand Marais Chamber of Commerce is presenting the Fourth of July Two Day Celebration to be held July 3 and 4.
During the day on July 3, there will be sidewalk sales in downtown Grand Marais.
There will also be a pick-up softball game located behind the community center at 1 p.m. Along with the softball game there will be 50/50 raffles and concessions.
A Pavilion Street Dance will take place from 7 – 11 p.m. on July 3. Professional fireworks by Night Magic will be held at dusk.
On Tuesday, July 4, the Main Street Parade will take place at 1 p.m. A water barrel fight will follow the parade.
There will also be a bake sale, kid’s games and other events throughout the day.
Paradise
The Paradise July 4 parade will take place at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4.
The lineup starts at the main intersection into town. The parade will travel through town to the community center.
Fireworks will be held at dusk.
