July 4th weekend celebration guide
With Fourth of July weekend approaching, communities across southwest Michigan are preparing for parades, fireworks shows, live performances and annual hometown celebrations marking the country’s 250th year of independence.
Watershed Voice compiled a guide to events happening across St. Joseph, Cass and Kalamazoo counties, along with a few nearby celebrations worth the drive.
With Fourth of July weekend approaching, communities across southwest Michigan are preparing for parades, fireworks shows, live performances and annual hometown celebrations marking the country’s 250th year of independence.
Watershed Voice compiled a guide to events happening across St. Joseph, Cass, and Kalamazoo counties, along with a few nearby celebrations worth the drive.
Kalamazoo County
Schoolcraft Fourth of July Celebration
July 3-4 | Downtown Schoolcraft
One of the area’s largest annual holiday celebrations returns to Schoolcraft this weekend with two days of festivities. Events include community activities throughout downtown and a fireworks display scheduled as part of the annual celebration. Full schedule information is available at Schoolcraft Fourth of July Celebration.
Merica Night at the Air Zoo
July 4 | 6 p.m. | Air Zoo, Portage
The annual patriotic celebration returns to the Air Zoo in Portage featuring museum activities, family programming, and an evening fireworks show. Admission details are available through the Air Zoo event page.
Richland Independence Day Parade
July 4 | Richland
Richland will host its annual Independence Day parade, bringing local organizations, families, and businesses together for one of the community’s longstanding holiday traditions.
1776 at Hayloft Theatre
July 3-4 | Hayloft Theatre
For those looking for something beyond fireworks, Hayloft Theatre is staging 1776, the Tony Award-winning musical centered on the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
St. Joseph County
While several of St. Joseph County’s largest Independence Day celebrations, including events in Three Rivers and Sturgis, took place earlier in the week, one of the county’s biggest remaining celebrations will take place in Colon.
Colon Fourth of July Celebration
July 3-4 | Downtown Colon
Colon’s annual Independence Day celebration spans two days and features one of the county’s biggest community celebrations. Festivities begin July 3 with a fireworks spectacular, followed July 4 by a king and queen crowning ceremony at 10:30 a.m., the annual parade at 11 a.m., live country music from Dewayne Spaw at 3 p.m., food vendors and family activities throughout downtown.
Cass County
Dowagiac already hosted one of the county’s major Independence Day celebrations earlier this week, leaving fewer scheduled public holiday events heading into the weekend.
Worth the drive
Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival
July 2-6 | 9 a.m.-11 p.m. | Battle Creek Executive Airport, 15551 S. Airport Road
One of southwest Michigan’s largest holiday weekend events returns to Battle Creek with five days of air shows, hot air balloons, carnival rides, live entertainment and food vendors. The festival’s Fourth of July fireworks display is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. July 4 and is billed as one of the state’s largest.
Saugatuck Fifth of July Fireworks
July 5 | Waterfront, Saugatuck
For readers looking to extend the holiday weekend, Saugatuck will host its annual July 5 waterfront fireworks display, a popular west Michigan tradition drawing visitors from across the region.
Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.
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