Kingsford, Mich. (WZMQ) – In an exciting development, the city of Kingsford is gearing up to celebrate its 100th anniversary this August. With preparations for the Kingsford Centennial Parade and festivities in full swing, organizers are leaving no stone unturned.
The Kingsford Centennial Festival is set to offer an abundance of excitement for children. In addition to bounce houses and park activities, a new, completely free event has been introduced to keep their minds engaged.
Event Coordinator, John Jessen, shared, “We are proud to present a S.T.E.M. learning expo that’s being presented by Lawrence technological University, down outside of Detroit. They’re bringing a drone zone, robotics, all kinds of cool things for kids to do.” He added that no wristband is necessary for the kids to participate in the S.T.E.M activities, they are completely free for kids to enjoy. The age range on the activity is k-12.
As the countdown to the Kingsford Centennial Parade and Festival continues, anticipation and enthusiasm in the community are reaching new heights. With the deadline for parade entries fast approaching, organizations are seizing the opportunity to be a part of this historic celebration.
Jessen also highlighted some new features on the Kingsford Centennial’s website, including the availability of new merchandise to commemorate the festivities and take a nostalgic look back at the city’s history.
“You can now pre-order the commemorative mugs and conveniently pick them up at the main gate upon arrival. By pre-purchasing the mug, you also receive a discount on your first beverage. Additionally, we have the new book, Volume 2, which delves into the businesses and families that played a pivotal role in Kingsford’s growth after the departure of Ford Motor Company and Kingsford Charcoal,” Jessen explained. The book can also be purchased at Kingsford City Hall. The new book costs $25, and the previous Volume of the City’s book can now be purchased for $20, although the pair gets a deal at $40. The mugs are $10 and can be purchased on the website.
For a comprehensive list of all the events and details about shuttle transportation to and from the festival, visitors can visit the Kingsford Centennial’s website. Businesses and organizations interested in participating with a parade float are reminded to submit their applications to Kingsford City Hall no later than July 14th.
The Centennial will be held from August 3rd through the 5th, with the parade on Saturday the 5th. On the day of the parade, a “Car Cruise” will start at 9 am central time, with the parade immediately following. The parade route will commence at Ford Park coming from Kingsford High School, head down Woodward Avenue and loop back to the middle school entrance via Balsam and Pyle Drive.
Ashley Ellis, the Kingsford Centennial Celebration Parade Chairperson, is the go-to person for organizations looking to showcase their creativity through a parade float. The parade promises to be a spectacle with the inclusion of some well-known treasure-hunters who will undoubtedly steal the show.
“We are very excited to announce our local grand marshals, Rick and Marty Lagina. They’re the Oak Island Brothers from the reality series ‘The Curse of Oak Island.’ Additionally, we anticipate a large turnout for the horses and the beautiful floats,” Ellis shared with enthusiasm.
While the parade is a celebration of Kingsford’s 100th anniversary, Ellis emphasized that participation is not limited to residents of Kingsford alone.
“We have strong connections with other local communities, including Quinnesec, Iron Mountain, and even Niagara in Wisconsin. We encourage applications from anyone who wants to contribute to our well-rounded parade,” Ellis added. The deadline for organizations who wish to enter a float in the parade is July 14th.
It’s important to note that ticket prices will go up to gate prices after July 21st, so any tickets purchased on or after July 22nd will reflect that price increase.
For a detailed list of events, information on how to apply to enter a float in the parade, or to purchase tickets to the festival, visit the Kingsford Centennial Celebration website at:
