By Sterling McGinn
Happy birthday, America! Flags, parades and fireworks will soon be in abundance celebrating the birth of the United States.
The local communities of Newberry, Curtis, Hulbert, Naubinway, Paradise, and Grand Marais have announced celebration plans.
Newberry
The 45th Annual Kiwanis Club Fourth of July Parade will step off at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 4. This year’s parade theme is “Luce County Liberty Luau” and Newberry’s Jim Foster from Foster’s Ace Hardware will be the grand marshal.
Parade line-up begins at the American Legion at 9 a.m.
The parade will travel the usual route: north along Newberry Avenue, left onto West Helen Street, making its way past Golden Leaves Living Center, then to Washington Boulevard.
Prizes for floats with the best use of theme are: 1st place – $1,000, 2nd place – $400, and 3rd place – $200.
The Annual Historic Photo Show returns, sponsored by the Tahquamenon Education Foundation. The show will take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3, and after the parade until 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 4.
The Historic Photo Show will be on display in the Big Hall of the American Legion Post 74 in Newberry due to construction at Tahquamenon Area Schools, its former venue.
The Newberry Fire Department will host the annual open house at the Peter Rahilly Fire Station directly behind the Community Building after the parade until 2 p.m.
Luce County Pet Pals will hold a pet food pantry fundraiser before and during the parade in the lawn at the Community Building adjacent to the Newberry Fire Department.
The booth will feature a bake sale with cookies, muffins, brownies, and other treats. Homemade pet biscuits, frozen pet treats, and cat toys will also be available. All items will be available by donation.
In addition to the bake sale, face painting will be offered with designs like cats and dogs. These efforts will be provided by volunteers, in exchange for donations to Pet Pals.
The Pet Pals booth will display pictures of cats, kittens, dogs, and puppies waiting for adoption at the shelter.
Applications for individuals or families wishing to join Luce County Pet Pals or volunteer at the Luce County Animal Shelter will be available at the display.
The Newberry Elks Lodge will hold a chicken BBQ on Thursday, July 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or until gone. The meal includes a half chicken, coleslaw, baked beans and dinner roll. Proceeds benefit the Elks Scholarship Fund.
Curtis
The 51st Annual Independence Day Celebration will take place on Saturday, July 6 and Sunday, July 7.
On Saturday, July 6, an Independence Day golf tournament will begin at 9 a.m. at the JP Memorial Golf Course in Germfask.
From noon – 6 p.m. there will be a vendor field and beer tent at the Erickson Center.
Live music will be provided at the Erickson Center pavilion from noon to 9 p.m.
On Sunday, July 7, the vendor field will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Erickson Center. At 11 a.m., the Lions Club BBQ will take place at the Lions’ Club pavilion.
The 51st Annual Independence Day parade will step off at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 7. The “Christmas in July” themed parade will travel west down main street, ending at the Erickson Center. The grand marshal will be the Portage Township Fire Department and EMS.
Float prizes will include: 1st place – $1,500, 2nd place – $1,000 and 3rd place – $750.
There will be live music taking place from 12 to 5 p.m. at the Erickson Center at the Chamber beer tent from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The Curtis Fish Coop will offer games, prizes, and a rainbow trout fishing pool.
At 3 p.m., the raffle drawing for the pontoon boat and trailer raffle will be held.
Fireworks will take place at dusk.
Naubinway
The Top of the Lake Community Association Fourth of July Celebration will take place Wednesday, July 3 and Thursday, July 4.
Events on Wednesday, July 3 include a Kiddie Parade beginning at 7 p.m., with registration starting at 6:30 p.m. Games after the parade will be provided by the EHS Key Club.
On Thursday, July 4, events will begin with the 42nd Annual Black Bear Run at Engadine Schools.
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. the carnival will take place at the Naubinway pavilion.
The parade will step off at 1 p.m. with a “This is Home” theme. Genevieve Cousineau will be grand marshal.
The Thunder Over the Bay fireworks display will take place at dusk.
Hulbert
The Hulbert Freedom Festival will take place on Saturday, July 6 at the Hulbert Township Park.
The parade will line up at the American Legion at 11:30 a.m. with the parade stepping off at 12 p.m.
At 12:30 p.m., an ice cream social and bounce house fun begins.
Concession and games run from 1 to 4 p.m. There will be a saw dust pile, scavenger hunt, tug-o-war and more.
From 1 – 5 p.m., there will be a craft show.
At 6:30 p.m., a local lumberjack contest begins.
A cornhole tournament will be held at 3 p.m.
All-day activities include: food trucks, axe throwing, a juggler, face painting, temporary tattoos, and music.
Fireworks will be held at dusk.
Paradise
There will be an EMS pancake breakfast fundraiser on Thursday, July 4 from 7 to 11 a.m. at the Community Center.
The Paradise Independence Day parade will take place on Thursday, July 4. Parade line-up will begin at 12:15 p.m. and will start at 1 p.m. and will travel south on M-123 to the Community Center.
Fireworks will take place at the Community Center at dusk.
Grand Marais
The Grand Marais Independence Day celebration will take place on Friday, July 5.
The Independence Day parade will take place at 1 p.m. Floats will line up on Braziel Street at 12:30 p.m.
The Grand Marais Christian Church pie sale begins after the conclusion of the parade.
The firehouse barrel challenge will also take place after the parade at M-77 and H-58.
