• Friday-What'sUP July 3 - 03:46 pm

Small towns all across the U.P. get geared up to celebrate the 4th of July in style, starting today. Many of the festivities will include the subjects of today's photos. The first two from JoAnne Stefanac, show the fun of parades on the 4th. Finding a spot to watch the parade in Lake Linden, along with parade entries like the Bootjack Fire and Rescue advertising their delicious Chicken Barbecue (being held on July 19th this year!).

Patti Vickers reminds us of fun the kids have at parades, gathering candy that's thrown by the parade entrants. These young ladies even came prepared with bags to collect their stash in.

The kid's decorated bike parade is another favorite part of the 4th of July activities. Stanley Spruce gives us a shot from a Baraga celebration, showing a little cutie as she drives her decorated car, which is actually powered by Mom. :->

And last but not least, many towns UP North shoot off beautiful fireworks displays. This one today is from Brian Miljevich, taken during the Wakefield celebration at Sunday Lake.

No matter where or how you plan to celebrate the independence of our country, have a great time and make sure you do it safely and responsibly.

What a wonderful reminder of the Lake Linden parade. Out here, you can not throw candy to the kids for fear they'll get hit by a parade float. Stupid! Kids love running for candy. Also, nobody can park on any of the streets on the parade route. You have to walk a long way sometimes. And I sure wish I could be there for the Bootjack chicken BBQ. Those are the best! Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

A happy and safe 4th to all from lower Michigan. Parade and fireworks started last evening here in Woodhaven, also at Lake Erie Metropark this evening and then a parade tomorrow in Gibralter on the Detroit River.
Pray for the safe return of 4 fishemen that have not check in from their trip out on Lake Erie yesterday.

Now who doesn't love a good 4th of July parade? Happy 4th to all! God Bless America!

Looks like fun, were going up there in about a week, never been to Lake Linden, been to Copper Harbor. May be we will get there for the Chicken B Q. Lake Linden looks like a neat town.
See you there

I'm so honored to have my pictures on this page. Imagine my surprise when I saw them, thought they looked familiar, and then found my name mentioned! Made my day! Wish we were there for the 4th. this year. Sure do miss the UP!

Thanks for making me feel so special today.

JoAnne Stefanac
Port Orchard, WA

Happy 4th of July everyone. God's Blessings on all who helped to make this happen...all our Veterans. Past, Present and let's all pray we don't need Future!

RED, WHITE AND BLUE!

I especially like the fireworks pic. Speaking of the 4th of July, here's an Independence Day Flickr group people can sign onto:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/independanceday/

I guess I should have mentioned, these photos were taken a few years back. I noticed that the ad on the firetruck is for the Bootjack Bar-B-Q but I'm doubting it would happen to be on that exact same date this year. I don't want folks there to be mislead as to the date. Does anyone know the correct date for this year, by chance?

JoAnne Stefanac

Mary says: The Bootjack Chicken Barbecue IS July 19th this year. Your photo, JoAnne, actually had a different date on the billboard, but I "Photoshopped" it to read this years date!

JoAnne,
Check out this onlinie article from the DMG for June 17th 2009. It also says the 19th of July.
Mike

http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=313557

Does anyone remember the Lake Linden fireworks when one of them lit off the rest? It was quite a few years ago. I can still see the silouettes of the firemen ducking for cover on top of one of those stamp sand hills by the lake.