By Sterling McGinn
July Fourth is just around the corner, and there will be several activities in Newberry to help you celebrate America’s birth. The events will include a parade, a fire department open-house and fireworks.
This year’s festivities will begin with the Newberry parade. The Kiwanis Club of Newberry will hold their 43rd Annual Fourth of July Parade on Monday, July 4. The parade is set to roll out at 10 a.m. with a theme of “God Bless the U.P. Eh!”
According to organizer Sarah Freeman, the parade route will go north on M-123 and turn onto West Helen Street, working its way past the Golden Leaves Living Center and back to Victory Way. Newberry resident, painter and poet Marty Walsh will serve as grand marshal.
Registration will begin at 9 a.m. in front of the American Legion. The line-up for floats and participants will take place on East Victory Way. There will be cash prizes for float winners.
Members of the Newberry Fire Department will hold an open house and barbeque at the Fire Hall located directly behind the Newberry Community Building following the parade. Tours of the fire hall and trucks will take place. A kid’s bouncy house and other activities will be set up there.
The Annual Historic Photo Show, led by Jim Dwyer and Sterling McGinn, will not take place this year.
As of press time, the Newberry fireworks display is still a go. Fireworks organizer Josiah Sharrett said that there will be a fireworks event this year. Watch for further updates in the Newberry News.
In Curtis, Independence Day events begin on Saturday, July 2. Arts and crafts vendors will be set up in the Erickson Center for the Arts Event field, and the Lions will host Hotdog & Brats Day under the Lions pavilion.
At 7 p.m. on Saturday, country music performer Mark Farner will present a concert at the Pine Performance Center. Tickets are available at mynorthtickets.com.
Stay in town for Sunday’s events, which begin at 10 a.m. A patriotic praise service will be held on the lawn of the Erickson Center at 10 a.m., and vendors will begin reopening then as well.
The Lions Famous Chicken BBW dinner will begin serving up at the pavilion at 11 a.m.
At noon, the Chamber’s refreshment tent will begin serving beverages.
The Independence Day Parade, with the theme “We’re an American Town”, begins at 12:30 p.m. and will give posthumous honor to the late Kim Bushey, who has been named Grand Marshall of the parade. Bushey was the president of the Curtis Area Chamber of Commerce at the time of her death in 2021.
Cash prizes will be awarded for the top three floats, with the first-place winner receiving $1,500. Second place will receive $1,000, and third place $750.
From 1:45- 5 p.m., guests can ride a Clydesdale horse on the event grounds of the Erickson Center. Bands will begin playing short concerts at 1:45 p.m. as well. Featured bands are Brass Animals, Monique Doolittle, Marquette Pipes & Drums, Gratitude Steel Drum Band, and Fyrebird.
Then, there’s the fireworks! Promising to be the largest display in the U.P., the fireworks are sponsored by the 3-Lakes Area Fireworks Council and will begin at dusk.
In Naubinway, events being on Saturday, July 2 with a kiddie parade at 7 p.m. Line-up begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Naubinway Pavilion. Games and free snacks for kids will take place after the parade. From 6-8 p.m., the Engadine-Naubinway Lions Club will provide free vision screening for children in the Lions Project KidSight Trailer.
On Monday, July 4, the Annual Black Bear Run starts at the Engadine school. The event includes a 12k run, a 6k run, and a walk. For information, visit black-bear-run.com.
Also on Monday, the Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum will be open from 9 a.m. to dusk.
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, a carnival will be held at the Naubinway Pavilion. Stop by for kids games, children’s vision screening, a library used book sale, Knights of Columbus fish fry, Impact Youth Bake Sale, water, pop and cookbooks for sale by the Engadine Historical Society, a 50/50 raffle, and more.
The Naubinway Independence Day parade begins at 1 p.m. on Monday, July 4. Grand Marshall honors are given in memory of John Matchinski. To join the parade, find information and the registration form at topofthelake.org.
Thunder over the Bay fireworks will begin at dusk on July 4.
In Grand Marais, Independence Day events will take place on Monday, July 4. The historic Lake Superior town will host a parade, fireworks, food, and fun. A Methodist Church Pie Sale will begin after the parade. The Historical Society will hold a Raffle and Silent Auction from noon – 3 p.m. Kid’s Games will take place at the Community Center Ballfield. A street dance will be held in the evening, and fireworks are set for dusk.
