MARQUETTE — As light continues to shine at the end of a dark pandemic tunnel, what better way to celebrate than with fireworks?

The Marquette Area Fourth of July Committee announced Tuesday that its traditional Independence Day festivities will return to Ellwood A. Mattson Lower Harbor Park in Marquette this summer, just days after the state of Michigan is scheduled to lift all COVID-19 gathering and face mask restrictions.

The committee made the announcement on its Facebook page, stating that the annual Food Fest, coordinated by the Marquette Exchange Club, will run for two days this year on July 3-4 from noon until dusk. The festival will feature local food vendors, a beer tent, entertainment and activities for kids. The annual boat parade will take place in the lower harbor on July 4 ahead of the fireworks display at dusk. A rain date for the fireworks display is scheduled for July 5.

The committee is asking the public for donations to support the fireworks display, as well as volunteers for Food Fest and fireworks logistics.

Donations can be made online at www.marquettefireworks.com or by mailing a check to the Marquette Area Fourth of July Committee at P.O. Box 782, Marquette, MI 49855.

The committee is also encouraging local businesses to step up and volunteer to host a change jar to support the fireworks display. Businesses can email mqtfireworks@gmail.com to request a jug for the fundraising effort. The jugs will be out from June 15 to July 6, and a list of participating businesses will be announced at a later date.

Food Fest volunteers are needed for setup on July 2, beer tent on July 3-4 and cleanup/tear-down on July 5. If you’re interested in volunteering for any of these time slots, call Geno Angeli at 906-249-1595 or 906-360-6926.

Fireworks logistics volunteers are needed for the afternoon of July 1, all day on July 2 and July 5 from 8 a.m. to noon. Volunteers must be able to lift 50-plus pounds repetitively, as the position entails transporting racks of fireworks to and from storage.

Additional details will be announced closer to the event dates.

No plans for an Independence Day parade have been announced. The parade is traditionally held along Washington Street in Marquette.

Marquette is the latest to announce the return of Fourth of July festivities. The city of Ishpeming’s Independence Day events were approved with a COVID-19 safety plan in place at the Ishpeming City Council meeting held on May 5. Ishpeming will hold its parade on July 3 beginning at 10:30 a.m., with a community picnic and fireworks at Al Quaal Recreation Area to follow in the evening.

Negaunee’s Pioneer Days plans to go ahead this year as well, with a parade scheduled for Saturday, July 10, beginning at 11 a.m. and a fireworks display over Teal Lake in the evening.

For more information about the Marquette Area Fourth of July Committee, visit www.marquettefireworks.com.

Aspirus Health, U.P. Regional Blood Center in need of blood donations

Aspirus Health and the Upper Peninsula Regional Blood Center will host a blood drive at the Calumet Colosseum on Monday, June 7, saying that “donations are critically needed” due to the pandemic’s impact on health care.

“The need for donations is extremely high,” said Christina Asiala, regional director of lab services for Aspirus, in a news release. “There is always a need for blood. If you are healthy, and feeling well, we hope you’ll consider donating.”

Blood donations are used in common lifesaving procedures such as heart surgeries and organ transplants. Aspirus says donors who have fully recovered from COVID-19 may also have antibodies in their blood plasma, which could help seriously ill COVID-19 patients.

“There is no evidence COVID-19 can be spread by blood transfusion,” the release states. “Blood centers are taking extra steps to protect donors and staff from the virus.”

The blood drive will take place from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. June 7 at the Calumet Colosseum, located at 110 Red Jacket Road. Donors must be at least 17 years of age and have no illness or fever at the time of donation. Those ages 16 and under can also donate with parental consent.

During your appointment, you’ll be asked about your health and travel history, and your blood pressure, pulse and temperature will be checked. Drawing blood generally takes less than 10 minutes.

Officials are also asking vaccinated donors to bring their proof of vaccination.

“With many of our community members being vaccinated for COVID-19, it’s important to know that you’ll need to provide the manufacturers’ name when you come to donate,” said Rachel Heath, coordinator of blood collections for the U.P. Regional Blood Center, in the release. “Upon receiving your vaccination, you should have received a card with information regarding what COVID-19 vaccine you received, and we encourage you to bring that card with you when donating.”

Aspirus Keweenaw is one of 13 U.P. hospitals that receives blood from the U.P. Regional Blood Center.

Both walk-ins and appointments are welcome at the blood drive. For more information or to schedule an appointment ahead of time, call the U.P. Regional Blood Center at 906-449-1450. Refreshments will be on hand for donors, and a photo ID and face mask will be required to donate.

For more information on Aspirus Health, visit www.aspirus.org.

For the latest statewide COVID-19 data and information, visit www.Michigan.gov/coronavirus or www.Michigan.gov/COVIDVaccine.