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Parades and the Fourth of July go hand-in-hand.Those who want to celebrate our nation’s heritage on Saturday may want to get up early to do so.
That’s because Fourth of July festivities kick off at 7:30 a.m. in downtown Plymouth with the annual Good Morning USA parade.
“It’s the earliest parade in the state, and maybe the whole nation,” said parade organizer Fred Hill.
That was by design, he said. He made the change when he took on the parade duties 13 years ago.
“It’s really nice at that time of day,” he said, “and there’s absolutely no traffic. Besides, people can look around when the parade is over at 9 a.m. and say: Wow, I still have my whole day ahead of me.”
The parade travels along Main Street in downtown Plymouth. Those sitting or standing in one spot will be entertained for about an hour-that’s how long the parade takes to go by.
Hill said there are a number of different attractions, from floats to balloons, to bands and, of course, the nationally-known Fred Hill Briefcase Brigade Drill Team.
“We’re known for the variety of entries in the parade,” he said. “It’s not just a collection of bands driving by.”
New this year are Chris Badynee, who will travel the parade route on a flatbed truck, playing the Bogdon Box Base he invented.
“It’s kind of unique,” Hill said.
The Plymouth Marketing partners will be marching en masse-complete with shopping carts, too.
Hill said traditional entries always get loud applause, too, such as the Special Olympians and the World War II Veterans.
“There are a lot of goose bumps when the veterans ride by,” said Hill.
Plymouth Township will be hosting holiday events, too, starting with a fireworks display on Friday night.
The spectacular Plymouth Community Fireworks show starts at about 10:15 pm at Plymouth Township Park (rain date July 5). The park is located on Ann Arbor Trail at McClumpha Road. and gates open at 7:30 p.m. Overflow parking will be at the vacant triangle of property at Beck Road and Powell Road.
Saturday, the park will host the annual Fourth of July picnic, too. Festivities begin at 11 a.m. and will end around 3:30 p.m.
There will be games and prizes, plus hot dogs, chips, soda and ice cream for a nickel each, a bike decorating contest and a fishing contest.
Northville
Paws from the Detroit Tigers, Shooter from the Whalers, Maggie Moo and more than 100 other patriotic groups will strut down Main Street during the annual Northville Independence Day Parade Saturday.
According to Shari Peters, executive director of the Northville Community Foundation, who organizes the parade each year, the event is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever.
“This will be our 11th year, and we have Dr. Bill Demray and Lisa Barry from WNIC-110.3 again as emcees,” Peter said. “They were great last year.”
The theme this year, Show Your Red, White and Blue, will encompass the floats, marching bands, clowns, children’s characters, vintage and classic cars.
“And the children’s bike parade is always something to see,” Peters said. “The kids decorate their bikes or wagons and the winners get new bikes from Meijer.” There is no entry fee, or registration and the decorated bikes and riders need only show up at Northville Downs prior to 9:45 a.m. when the judging takes place.
“This is just something wonderful for the kids,” Peters said.
The traditional pet parade will take place, and the Plymouth Fife and Drum Corps, bagpipers, the Northville High School Marching Band and a band from as far away as Canada will entertain the crowds, estimated at more than 20,000 each year.
“This really is hometown, Norman Rockwell, all America parade,” Peters said. “People love it.
“We are so grateful to our sponsor, St. Mary Mercy Hospital of Livonia. They do so much to make this event happen,” she added.
The parade will begin at 10 a.m. after participants line up at Northville Downs and proceeds down Main Street and through town back to the track. Prior to the parade, the Sweet Adelines, sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, will perform patriotic songs prior to the singing of the national anthem, which signals the start of the event.
“And everyone in the parade will be thanking Sam’s Club and Kroger who donated bottled water for the marchers,” Peters said.
For more information, phone (248) 374-0200.
Westland
The celebration started in Westland last Saturday with the choosing of Miss Westland Summer Pageant Caitlin Burns and the traditional parade down Wayne Road last night.
And the fun will continue through Sunday July 5 when the fireworks display is planned at about 10:15 p.m.
Meanwhile, there is live entertainment every night including country music star Tony Phillips tonight, Hits of Motown tomorrow and Marty Viers on Saturday. The Viers show features Roger Walker performing the hits of Johnny Cash and David James performing Neil Diamond favorites.
This year, parents will have no trouble finding entertainment for youngsters during the festival, organizers said.
Squeals of delight will surely follow the return of Robinson’s Racing Pigs. The entertaining porkers will be on hand until July 5 although show times for the races will vary, according to Festival Committee Member Diane Fritz.
The Westland Jaycees will have games and activities to keep children under 12 years of age busy between 2-6 p.m. July 4 and 5. Prizes will be awarded and all the games are free of charge.
The petting farm will return, as will the pony rides, Fritz said.
The farm and rides will be located directly across from the fire department along Cliff Orr Drive. Admission to the petting farm is $2 per person and there will be food for the animals on sale.
There is no time limit on visiting with the animals, Fritz said.
“Children will be allowed to interact, hug, feed, brush and love the animals,” Fritz said. The pony rides will cost $4 and be available from 5 p.m. until dark on July 1. Rides will be available from noon until dark through July 5.
Also sure to attract crowds of youngsters this year is Premier Animal Attractions. The exhibit features rare and unique exotic animals including a 3-pound fox and a 600-pound tiger, expected to be on display.
Staff members will allow visitors closer access to the animals than at the zoo, Fritz said, and answer questions about the animals and their behavior.
The carnival midway has rides and games and there is a Vegas Tent for adults and a beer tent, too.
The child ID program, which is free, will be open from noon until 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
The festival opens at 4:30 today, and at noon tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday.
For information on events, call (734) 335-7943 or visit www.westlandfestival.org.
