Fireworks, parades and celebrations: Here's how to celebrate the Fourth of July

OTTAWA COUNTY — Fireworks will light up the sky across West Michigan this weekend as local cities and townships host festivities celebrating Independence Day and the Nation’s 250th anniversary.

A variety of Fourth of July events and longtime traditions are scheduled in Ottawa, Muskegon, Allegan and Kent counties. From hometown parades and fireworks displays to children’s activities, there is a range of celebrations planned across the region.

Here’s a look at fireworks displays and Fourth of July events taking place in West Michigan:

Ottawa County

Allendale

• July 4: Star Spangled 250th Celebration: 10 a.m. parade, 11 a.m. Party in the Park and dusk fireworks display. The parade’s starting location and fireworks will take place at the Allendale Public School K-8 Campus. Activities in the Park will take place at the Allendale Township Park, 6676 Lake Michigan Drive.

Ferrysburg

• July 4: America’s 250th Anniversary: Pancake Breakfast with the Mayor from 8-10 a.m. at City Hall gym, 17520 Ridge Ave. Parade at 10:30 a.m. followed by a party and costume contest in William Ferry Park, 110 Pine St. There will be hot dogs, games, prizes, face painting and crafts, as well as music by the Thornapple River Band.

Grand Haven

• July 4: Fountain & Fireworks Spectacular: The Grand Haven Musical Fountain will be teaming up with the City of Grand Haven to host a fountain show at 10 p.m., followed by a fireworks display. The events will take place at the Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium, 1 N. Harbor Drive. 

Holland 

• July 4: Independence Day Fireworks: Various fair foods will be available at Kollen Park, 240 Kollen Park Drive, from noon to 10 p.m. Fireworks will begin around dusk. 

Marne

• July 4: Celebration Race: Gates to the Berlin Raceway, 2060 Berlin Fair Drive, open at 4 p.m. and racing starts at 6:30 p.m. Fireworks will be presented after the race by Honor Credit Union. 

Muskegon County

Muskegon 

• July 4: Fireworks Celebration and Pre-Party: A pre-party at Heritage Landing, 1071 Shoreline Drive, featuring music and food will begin at 7 p.m., followed by fireworks at approximately 10:20 p.m. The display will be launched from the Heritage Landing peninsula. 
• July 4: Clipper Fourth of July Party: Fireworks viewing from the SS Milwaukee Clipper from 6-11 p.m. Tickets are limited and available here.
• July 4: 10th Annual Independence Day Heykoop Veteran Memorial Car Show: The annual car show will take place at Hot Rod Harley-Davidson, 149 Shoreline Drive, in downtown Muskegon, and will last from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be food trucks, raffles, live and silent auctions, DJ and the Miss Lighthouse Pin-up Contest. 
• July 4: USS Silversides Submarine Independence Day Engine Start: The USS Silversides Submarine Museum, 1346 Bluff St., is inviting the community to an engine start of the historic vessel. The museum will open at 10 a.m., but the engine start time is TBA, according to the museum’s Facebook page. 

Twin Lake 

• July 4: America’s 250th Birthday Fireworks: A fireworks show will take place at the Twin Lake County Park, 6231 Main St., at 9:45 p.m.

White Lake

• July 3: Fireworks: A fireworks display will be held over White Lake at dusk, courtesy of the White Lake Fireworks Committee.
• July 4: Parade: The annual Fourth of July parade will begin at 10 a.m. outside Whitehall City Council, 405 E. Colby St., and make its way to Montague City Hall, 8778 Ferry St.

Allegan County

Allegan

• July 3: America 250 Jubilee: Food vendors will open at 5 p.m. and a parade will take place through downtown Allegan at 5:30 p.m. Live music will begin at 6 p.m. and the evening will conclude with a fireworks show over the Kalamazoo River at 10:15 p.m. 

Saugatuck-Douglas

• July 3: Saugatuck-Douglas fireworks: Music will be at the Wicks Park Gazebo, 502 Water St., from 7-9 p.m. Fireworks over Lake Kalamazoo will begin at dusk. A list of locations to view the fireworks display is available here. 
• July 4: Parade & Party: The parade will start at Saugatuck High School, 401 Elizabeth St., at 11 a.m., with floats and marchers traveling south on Butler Street. A party at Wicks Park will take place at noon. Yard games, face painting, balloon twisting and a pie-eating contest. 

Kent County

Belmont

• July 4: 5th Annual Fundraiser and Fireworks: Gates to the Lenderink Tree Farm, 1401 House St. NE, will open at 5 p.m. There will be raffles, food trucks, yard games, live music, a dunk tank and fire truck rides, with raffle prizes announced at 9:15 p.m. Fireworks will take place around 10 p.m. 

Cascade

• July 4: Cascade Township Independence Day Celebration: The township will host a community parade, with participants meeting outside the Thornapple Covenant Church, 6595 Cascade Road SE, at 7:30 a.m. A festival will take place along Jackson Avenue and at Friendship Park with inflatables, live music, food trucks and crafts. A fireworks display will take place around dusk at Amway Headquarters, 7575 Fulton St. SE). 

East Grand Rapids

• July 4: East Grand Rapids Fourth of July Celebration: East Grand Rapids, in partnership with Corewell Health, will be hosting a 5K run/walk, parade, children’s activities, food trucks and other events. The parade will begin at noon at the intersection of Sherman Street and Wealthy Street. Fireworks will take place at dusk over Reeds Lake, 650 Lakeside Drive SE. 

Grandville

• July 4: City of Grandville Celebration: The Grandville Fourth of July Parade will take place at 10 a.m. on Wilson Avenue. Throughout Saturday afternoon and evening, there will be an arts and crafts show, food vendors and activities at Grandville Oakestown Intermediate School, 3535 Wilson Avenue SW. A fireworks display will be held at dusk. 

Grand Rapids

• July 4: Grand Rapids fireworks: This year’s show, presented by Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, will launch from the Fulton Street Bridge due to river restoration and the temporary closure of Ah-Nab-Awen Park. Music will begin at 6:10 p.m. at 51 Market Ave. SW and is set to last until the 10:30 p.m. fireworks show.

Kentwood

• July 4: Celebration: The City of Kentwood will be hosting a pancake breakfast, 5K race/fun walk, parade, carnival and evening celebration. The parade will start at 9:30 a.m. at the Kentwood Community Center, 4755 Walma Ave. SE. Fireworks will conclude the festivities at dusk outside the Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton SE.

— Contact ONN reporter Hailey Hentz at hhentz@ottawanewsnetwork.org.