GLADSTONE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Every Fourth of July, the City of Gladstone goes all out for Independence Day. America’s 250th birthday will be no exception.
“Gladstone has an iconic Fourth of July celebration,” said Gladstone Parks and Recreation Director Wendy Taavola. “Of course, it’s our largest celebration of the year, but being it’s the 250th birthday of the United States, it makes it an extra celebration. It’s a little bit bigger, a little bit more flashy.”
The main event is the parade, which has been a Gladstone tradition for roughly 50 years. It starts Saturday at 11 a.m., with nearly 90 floats traveling along Delta Avenue, 13th Street, and Lakeshore Drive.
“The theme for the parade is, ‘Happy 250th birthday, USA!'” Taavola said. “We have a float contest, and we’re giving prizes for the top three floats. We have a QR code that people can scan along the parade route to vote for their top three favorite floats. Voting opens at 11 a.m., and it will close at 1 p.m.”
The winners will be announced later on at the ballfield in Van Cleve Park. That’s where the July 4 celebration moves after the parade each year.
“We have a day full of music,” said Taavola. “We have three bands set up, starting at 1:00. We also have food vendor trucks coming down there, bounce houses for the kids, a dunk tank.”
From 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., the park will also host the 10th annual U.S. Log Rolling Open. Athletes from all over Michigan and the United States will compete in a sport that honors the rich logging history of both the region and the country.
“In Gladstone, we have actual log rolling lessons available in the month of July,” Taavola said. “Gladstone is big on log rolling. We try to get everyone involved.”
There are several other events happening from dawn to dusk on the 4th. At 8 a.m., the Gladstone-Rapid River Kiwanis Club will host the Fran Cannon Firecracker Run/Walk. A group of community members also holds a Patriotic Pedal Parade each year, beginning at the Gladstone Armory at 8:30 a.m.
Of course, it all leads up to an Independence Day firework show.
“It’s a great time down at the ballfield,” said Taavola. “We have had in the past near 10,000 people walk through the park on the Fourth of July. Everyone is so excited to come down. It’s kind of friends, family, and food and fun.”
Visit gladstonemi.gov or click here for full details on Gladstone’s Fourth of July activities.
