The 4th of July festivities in Grass Lake has been a staple and tradition in the community for as long as anyone can remember, with the festivities always taking place on the 4th, regardless of what day the 4th may fall on.
The parade draws thousands of participants as well as visitors as horses and wagons turn out for the day along with, classic antique and domestic tractors, politicians, fire departments, business establishments, clowns, entrepreneurs, churches, bands, and a host of floats all decked out in red, white and blue to celebrate Independence Day like every other community around the country. The parade typically hosts 125 to 175 entries each year and became a feature photo of the Grass Lake Area Chamber of Commerce’s “Welcome Magazine” with a taste of Americana on its front page; the picture provided by the Michigan Center for the Photographic Arts.
The parade follows a route from East Avenue in the village, west along Michigan Avenue to Lake Street in downtown Grass Lake, and flows north from there to Grass Lake County Park on the shores of Grass Lake. There, participants and visitors are greeted with a chicken broil sponsored by the Grass Lake Sportsman’s Club with a host of additional activities in the park including a flag raising ceremony and assorted music activities throughout the afternoon.
* Photo by Michigan Center for the Photograpic Arts