Copper Country communities offer plenty of Fourth of July activities
Copper Country communities offer plenty of Fourth of July activities
By Kurt Hauglie
DMG Writer
Parades, picnics and fireworks — all the usual Fourth of July fare will be available Tuesday around the Copper Country.
Houghton County Sheriff Brian McLean is urging celebrants to be cautious when using fireworks.
In a written statement, McLean stated that Class B fireworks are the kind used for large displays put on by organizations or local governments and are for professionals only. Class C fireworks are for consumer use. Those include sparklers, fountains, snakes and smoke devices.
“If it makes a loud bang or leaves the ground, then it is illegal (for consumer use),” McLean wrote.
McLean’s guidelines for fireworks use include obeying local laws, using common sense, reading and following instructions, providing adult supervision for children’s fireworks use, and never pointing fireworks at anyone.
Activities for the 4th in the Copper Country include:
DOLLAR BAY — The first Robert D. Borsum Memorial Music Festival and Barbecue at the Sandy Bottom Beach Park from noon until 6 p.m. Monday. A snack bar and refreshment stand will open at 6:30 p.m. in the fire hall. Horse and wagon rides will begin touring Dollar Bay’s Historic District at 6:30 p.m. The rides begin at Pioneer Park and are free of charge. Children’s tickets will be distributed at 7 p.m. at the fire hall. Haischer’s Sibling Rivalry Band will perform in the park area beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, activities will get underway with the V.F.W. Members conducting Memorial Services in Veteran’s Park at 11 a.m. The service will include the dedication of a replica of a cast iron cannon, cast at a foundry in Ripley especially for a visit from Theodore Roosevelt to the area in his honor. The family of the late Chester Wetton, well-known Dollar Bay Centurion, who passed away recently, owned the cannon, which will be permanently mounted and dedicated at the park, with Wetton’s family present. The Dollar Bay/Tamarack City School’s metal shop class has made a working replica of a black powder mountain Howitzer signal cannon, to be discharged this year and every year to come to signal the commencement of Dollar Bay’s Annual Parade, scheduled to begin at noon near the High School. The refreshments and food stand will be open all day. Pasties will be available at the V.F.W. Hall beginning at 10:30 a.m. Children’s games and races will begin at 2 p.m. behind the fire hall. Dollar Bay’s famous annual chicken barbecue will be served in the ball park from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the door. The Franz Family Ministries will provide live gospel music in Pioneer Park from 2 to 5 p.m.
• HUBBELL—TAMARACK — Hubbell—Tamarack Fourth of July parade starts at 10:30 a.m. with line up at the Peninsula Copper Industries. Game tickets for the kids will be handed out at 9 a.m. at the Hubbell VFW and Tamarack Fire Hall. Games for the kids will start at 1 p.m. in the Hubbell Park and at the Tamarack Fire Hall. From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. live music featuring Over the Hill Boys will play at the Hubbell Park.
• LAKE LINDEN — The Lake Linden Volunteer Fire Department gives a cordial and warm welcome to all visitors, friends and former residents to the Annual Celebration held on Monday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 4.
On Monday there will be music in the park featuring The Edge from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. with fireworks at dusk. July 4th events include a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Lake Linden-Hubbell Elementary School, grand patriotic parade at 9:30 a.m., music by Tom Katalin in the Village Park following the parade. A Veterans Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m., races in the park begin at 1:15 p.m. and Grand Stand Contests will be at 3 p.m. in the park. A decorated bicycle parade will be at 6:30 p.m. and a street dance will begin at 6 p.m. in the Lakes Lounge.
• SOUTH RANGE — The South Range Fourth of July Committee is a group of people who have organized the South Range Independence Day Celebration. Residents, businesses and organizations represent the committee. The South Range 4th of July celebration is a fine example of what can be accomplished when dedicated individuals combine their talents and energy to honor our country’s proud heritage. It is the day our forefathers declared our sovereignty and our right to self determination and freedom.
The South Range annual event is recognized throughout the Copper Country as being special and enjoyable for all.
This year’s celebration begins with the traditional Flag Raising Ceremony at 8 a.m. and concludes with fireworks at dusk. The parade will begin at 2:30 p.m. Cash prizes will be awarded to the best parade entrants and all of the children who participate by riding bikes in the parade.
Your help is needed to make this a successful event. Without you and others this special day would not be possible. Your financial assistance is needed and will be greatly appreciated. Please send your donations to the South Range Fourth of July Committee, P.O. Box 217, South Range, MI 49963. Your business/organization is invited to participate in the parade. The parade will start at 2:30 p.m. The parade line up will begin at 1:30 p.m. along First Street and Whealkate Avenue (near the South Range Elementary School). The Sheriffs Department has requested that, in the interest of child safety, parade entrants refrain from “throwing” candy from their floats. If you wish to distribute candy, please have someone walk next to your float and hand the candy to the children.
We hope you will contribute generously with your financial support. If you were not able this year we would still like you to enter the parade for this Independence Day Celebration. We know that you will enjoy the 4th in South Range.
• TWIN LAKES — Twin Lakes may be small, but everyone celebrates with gusto. Celebration starts with the local boat parade, which is held on July 3 and everyone if finding out that the Day Use area in the park, is an ideal location to view the parade. Local residents, from Lake Roland and Lake Gerald, and campground occupants enjoy participating by decorating their pontoons and boats of all sizes. Festive lights and patriotic music adorn these floating masterpieces. Starting out with a few local residents, the tradition has continued to grow with more than two dozen prestigious crafts in 2005. A sign in sheet with an assigned number is available at Krupp’s Mini Mart. There is no entry fee, just good fun. Prizes are awarded. For more information, contact Frank Gourneau.
The following day, July 4th, Twin Lakes State Park, holds the communities annual parade on park grounds, which begins at 1 p.m. This is a fund event, especially for the children, because they are the biggest fans and participants. Bicycles, tricycles, big wheelers, strollers, wagons, children’s motorized vehicles, four-wheelers and floats all parade around the campground. After the parade, all participants will have a hot dog and pop, before the games begin for all the kids to try their luck.
So, if anyone wants to have a fun-filled family day, think about joining everyone at Twin Lakes. Those interested in participating in the annual parade, contact the park at 288-3321.
Entry forms will be made available the week before at the campground office and must be turned in by July 3 because judging will take place before the parade.
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