As the Fourth of July holiday draws near, residents across the Upper Peninsula and visitors to the region are eagerly awaiting all the festivities that accompany it.

American’s observance of independence Day is perhaps the biggest celebration in the country, with parades, festivals, picnics and many other activities enjoyed by millions.

All these activities are usually topped off with one great event: A spectacular display of fireworks.

Several communities in our area set up large fireworks displays for the Fourth of July, including in the Marquette and Ishpeming areas.

There’s another common factor in regard to fireworks – they don’t come cheap, and they are getting more expensive every year.

In an effort to ensure July 4th celebrations will include fireworks well into the future, committees that oversee them are looking to their communities for financial assistance.

For example, the Marquette Area Fourth of July Fireworks Committee hosted a fundraiser this week at the Ore Dock Brewery. The evening was filled with good beverages, plentiful food and the always splendid music of the Flat Broke Blues Band.

Committee Chairman Tom Baldini said it’s hoped the fundraiser and some additional donations will push the committee over its fundraising goal of $50,000. Prior to the ore Dock event, the committee had $42,000.

For more information or to make a donation to the wonderful fireworks display over Marquette’s Lower Harbor, visit the website at marquettefireworks.com.

Over in Ishpeming, golfers will be hitting the Wawonowin Golf Club links Friday for a four-man scramble that is serving as a fundraiser for the fireworks over Teal Lake near Al Quaal Recreation Area, where many of Ishpeming’s Fourth of July activities are held.

The Ishpeming Fourth of July Committee reports donations are down a little this year, so it is hoped that the golf outing and additional donations will enable the committee to offer a wonderful celebration.

There still might be room for a few teams at Friday’s fundraiser, and if you’re interested send an email to committee member Steve Nelson at slnelson70@gmail.com.

Other communities across the U.P. have July 4th celebrations, as well, and we encourage residents and visitors to get involved and help honor our independence in a grandiose way.