Gun Lake, Leighton Township, Dorr Township and Hopkins Township all are planning to celebrate Independence Day, starting this weekend. The Fourth of July this year falls on a Tuesday, so opportunities arise for festivities Saturday, July 1, through the Fourth.
Dorr Township
Three days of festivities are scheduled along 142nd Avenue and at South Park with carnival rides and food booths beginning Sunday, July 2, at South Park west of downtown Dorr.
A worship service with music, sponsored by Cross Wind Community Church, will begin at 10:30 a.m. at South Park, Guests are asked to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets.
Dick’s Market will grill its famous bratwurst for lunch outdoors from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. A classic car and truck show will be held at noon at South Park will start at noon. Registration for entries is $15. Cross Wind Community Church is handling the pre-registration information. Prizes and awards will be presented at 2:30.
Foxfire Pullers will put on an independent tractor pull event at 2245 144th Ave.,starting at 1 p.m., with weigh-in at noon.
A community flea market will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, July 3, at South Park. Lanterns with eco-friendly bamboo frames will be launched from the park or neighborhood back yards at 10:30 p.m. Lanterns can be purchased in advance at United Bank and at Chemical Banksand Dick’s Market. All proceeds will be used toward the fireworks display.
A community breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. at Dorr Christian Reformed Church on 18th Street will kick off the celebration. The annual parade will step off at 10:30 a.m., beginning at the American Legion Hall on 18th Street, then south to 142nd Avenue and west past North and South parks. All non-business parade entries must arrive on time at the American Legion Hall to take part.
Other will activities will include an inflatable jump house and obstacle course,a bungee run, airbrush tattoos and waxed hands, a bingo tent, “Black Hole” Airsoft Shooting Range, live music and a karaoke contest. The Knights of Columbus chicken barbecue and the annual ox roast also will be on hand for lunch and dinner fare.
Hopkins Township
Hopkins’ celebration will concentrate on Tuesday, July 4.
Events throughout the day will feature an antique tractor display, cowpie bingo, inflatables, a petting zoo, concessions, and the FFA silent auction, which ends at 8 p.m
Specific activities will include a kids’ tractor pedal pull, sponsored by the FFA. on the west side of the fire barn at 2 p.m. The main stage entertainment will feature the Nobodies band from 3 to 4 p.m. The children’s parade, with wagons and pedal power only, no motorized vehicles. will begin at 4 p.m. at the Hopkins fire barn The main parade will begin at 5. Lineup will be at the high school on Clark Street. The parade will be followed at 7 p.m. by the annual Miss Hopkins pageant.
Fireworks will be held at dusk. Rain date will be July 5.
Leighton Township
A boat parade on Green Lake is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 3. Boaters should gather in the big lake by the slalom ski course to cruise around the entire lake together. Fireworks will begin at dusk.
A pancake breakfast is scheduled from 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 4, at the Calvary Church gym, 608 145th Ave. Cost is $3 for adults, $1 for kids ages 12 and under. Donations encouraged to help cover the cost of the fireworks display.
Guests also are asked to bring canned goods for Project Hope for their emergency food pantry. Those attending should use the west driveway.
The “Land Parade” is slated for noon July 4 with lineup at 11:30 a.m. in the west parking lot of Green Lake Calvary Church. The parade route will be east down 145th Avenue (Kalamazoo Avenue) to South Shore Drive, then to Round Lake Drive, and back to Kalamazoo Avenue, ending at the Green Lake fire station.
Gun Lake
The Gun Lake Casino will have its annual fireworks display Monday, July 3, beginning at dusk, behind the casino.