Fireworks, parade set for July 4th holiday
Independence Day fireworks and a parade have been set in Monroe, Luna Pier and Dundee. Offerings run from Saturday through Tuesday.
Allen Chevrolet Cadillac Firework Festival
Allen Chevrolet Cadillac is promising a larger fireworks display this year at Sterling State Park.
The annual Allen Chevrolet Cadillac Firework Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 3 at the park, off North Dixie Highway, just east of I-75. Fireworks will begin at dusk. Admission is free, but visitors must pay the state park entry fee.
“We increased the firework budget, going for the best show ever,” John Allen, general manager of the dealership, said. "I would get there around 6 p.m. (for fireworks).”
In the past, the Allen Chevrolet Cadillac Firework Festival took place over two days. This year’s event is only one day.
“We just focused on the firework display this year, so no 5K run or cornhole tournament,” Allen said.
Food trucks and a DJ will be at the park. Among the trucks will be Slice of Italy, which will sell pizza.
A children’s bike parade, hosted by Sterling State Park, will begin at 7:30 p.m. The Frenchtown Fire Department will lead the parade. Bike decoration will begin at 6 p.m. Bikes, scooters, skateboards, wagons and rollerblades can be part of the parade.
Last year about 12,000 attended the Allen Chevrolet Cadillac Firework Festival.
“It should be another great year,” Allen said. “We agreed to host the fireworks for five years, and this is year five. We get a ton of positive feedback that everyone enjoys the show. We most likely will continue to host the event in the future.”
Sponsors include Deb’s Flowers, Dynamic Transportation, Jones for Men, Lane’s Pizza, Little Brown Jug, Michigan Museum of Horror, Kuehnlein Concrete Services, Tom’s Landscaping, Monroe Pop Fest, Williams Insurance Agency, MASA Soccer Association, Carroll/Ochs Jewelers, Run Hip and Trowbridge Financial.
Allen Chevrolet Cadillac began sponsoring the Sterling State Park fireworks in 2019. The first year, more than 10,000 attended. The event was canceled in 2020. In 2021, more than 12,000 attended.
Before 2019, the River Raisin Independence Festival and Fireworks was offered at Sterling State Park for many years by the late John Patterson and the Monroe County Convention & Tourism Bureau. When it was announced that bureau would not continue the event, Allen Chevrolet Cadillac pledged money to bring back the event; several other businesses also pitched-in and continue to support the event.
Luna Pier Freedom Fest
UPDATE: The Luna Pier fireworks show, originally set for Saturday July 1, was rescheduled because of weather conditions. The makeup date is dusk Tuesday July 4.
Earlier report:
The Luna Pier Freedom Fest will take place July 1 in Luna Pier.
Fireworks will begin at dusk off the pier over the lake. The pier will be closed for the day.
Citywide yard sales will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A limited number of city spaces are available for $35 each. To learn more, contact Chris at the parks and recreation department at 419-304-0564.
Several activities will be offered at First Street Park: Food trucks will be parked at the park all day. A farmer market will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A live band will play from 2 to 6 p.m. Citizen of the Year will be announced at 5 p.m. Children’s activities will take place from noon to 4 p.m. and will include balloon twisting, magic and face painting by three clowns. Children must be accompanied by adults.
The once-annual Luna Pier Freedom Fest returned last summer after a long hiatus.
Dundee July 4 Parade
A July Fourth Parade will take place at 11 a.m. July 4 in Dundee.
The annual parade is sponsored by the Dundee Veterans Memorial Club and the Monroe County Amateur Radio Public Service Corp.
The parade will begin in the west high school parking lot on Viking Road. Participants should arrive by 10 a.m. to line up.
The parade will travel south on Rawson Street, east on M-50, proceed on East Main Street and then travel north on Dunham Street. It will end at the Dundee Veterans Hall.
An open house, featuring hot dogs and hamburgers, will follow the parade at the Dundee Veterans Memorial Club. All are welcome.
Organizations and individuals who want to be in the parade should contact Larry at 734-625-7401 or cymbola1@aol.com or call the Dundee Veterans Club at 734-529-2880.
Kids Fishing Tournament
Domka Outdoors will hold the second Stars & Stripes Kids Fishing Tournament July 1 at Sterling State Park. Last year's event was held during the Allen Chevrolet Cadillac Firework Festival. This year is will be held two days before the fireworks display.
Fishing will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch and awards will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Lunch is free for children up to age 16. The first 100 children to register will receive a free fishing rod.
The event is sponsored by Domka Outdoors and Jeff’s Bait & Tackle. To register, visit Domka Outdoors on Facebook.
Fireworks later in July
• Fireworks will be part of Carleton's annual Crusin' for a Cause, set for July 15 in the village of Carleton. The rain date is July 16. Fireworks will begin at dusk at Ash-Carleton Park.
Cruisin' for a Cause also will include a car show, vendor show, parade, children's activities, live music and food.
• A fireworks celebration will kickoff the 76th Monroe County Fair. A show, sponsored by Dynamic Transportation LLC and Dynamic Fleets, will begin at 9 p.m. July 28 at the Monroe County Fairgrounds.
Fireworks will begin at dusk. The celebration also will include food vendors. Admission is free. The rain date is Sept. 22.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Fireworks, parade set for July 4th holiday
