Communities across the area are planning Fourth of July celebrations and events in the days ahead. They include:

ESCANABA

The City of Escanaba Independence Celebrations will be on Saturday, July 2.

Fireworks take place in Ludington Park on Saturday, July 2 with a rain date of Saturday, July 9

Food vendors will be on site. A car show will be held with registration from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and trophies awarded at 4 p.m.

The band, We Ain’t Saints, will perform at the Karas Bandshell from 4 to 7 p.m. and the Escanaba City Band will perform at 8:30 p.m.

Rock the Dock will be holding a petting zoo on July 2 in Ludington Park near Harbor Hideout at 4 p.m.,

GLADSTONE

Gladstone’s Fourth of July celebration will take place on Monday, July 4, starting at 8 a.m. The annual Firecracker five-mile run will begin at 8 a.m.

The Patriotic Pedal (Bike) Parade is from 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. The main parade down Delta Avenue and 13th Street begins at 11 a.m.

The public is invited to VanCleve Park for children’s activities and a log rolling competition at 1 p.m.

Food vendors will remain in Van Cleve Park until the fireworks show at dusk.

Live music is set to begin at 7 p.m. A rain date is set for Tuesday, July 5.

MANISTIQUE

Independence Day celebrations begin Friday with a Kiddie Parade at 6 p.m. Line-up is at 5:30 p.m. at the post office. Saturday the annual parade (Rock and Roll theme) begins at 12:30 a.m. Line-up is at 11:30 a.m

There will also be food booths, arts and craft vendors, live music with Backroads 906 from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. and more. Fireworks will be held at dusk on Sunday.

BARK RIVER

Bark River will be hosting its sesquicentennial celebration from July 2-4. The Bark River Senior Center’s history room will be open all three days, where a sesquicentennial time capsule and quilt will be on display for visitors to enjoy.

On July 2, a Bark River-Harris all class reunion will be taking place, which includes a golf outing, open house at the Bark River-Harris School, and a reunion at the park in Bark River.

July 3 marks Sesquicentennial Day, with activities including a fiddler performance, 1871 family games, and music entertainment taking place at the park in Bark River.

On July 4, Bark River will host it’s annual 4th of July celebration, which entails a parade and activities at the park.

HERMANSVILLE

The Hermansville Independence Day Celebration will be Saturday, July 2, beginning at with the kiddie parade at 10:30 a.m. with line-up and at 9:30 a.m. at Sportsman Club.

Main parade line up starts at 10 a.m. on the 388 IXL Drive. The Hermansville Classic Car Show registration is from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. For more information contact Rusty Nuts Car Club at rustynuts1914@gmail.com The Hermansville IXL Museum will be open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Hermansville Mud Bog will have registration from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. CST with racing at noon. Call Ken at 906-368-0568 for more information.

There will be live music from noon to 4 p.m. by The Descendants. There will also be a cornhole event at the lake and 50/50 raffle, food, games, music and refreshments. Fireworks will begin at dusk on Saturday evening.

POWERS/SPALDING

Independence celebrations in Powers/Spalding will be held on Monday, July 4, starting with a patriotic parade at 10:30 a.m. Truck pulls start at noon with registration at 10 a.m.

There will also be a kids fishing derby, bounce houses, live music, food and refreshments, raffles and more.