News Summary

East Grand Rapids hosted a festive celebration for Independence Day at Reeds Lake, featuring a lively parade, thrilling water ski performances, and a spectacular fireworks show. The event attracted a large crowd, with food trucks and kids’ activities contributing to a vibrant atmosphere. Local families enjoyed the community spirit as they celebrated together, highlighting traditions that bring residents closer. The day concluded with live music and fireworks, setting a jubilant tone for continued celebrations in the region.

East Grand Rapids Celebrates Independence Day with Classic Festivities and Fireworks

East Grand Rapids celebrated the Fourth of July on July 4, 2025, with a vibrant community event held by the scenic Reeds Lake. The day featured a traditional parade, family-friendly activities, a variety of food trucks, and an impressive water show, drawing large crowds from both the local area and beyond.

The parade showcased over 35 participating groups, including the Grand Rapids and District Pipe Band, the East Grand Rapids drumline, classic cars, city trucks, and little tractors. The parade route spanned Wealthy Street and Lakeside Drive, where residents and visitors cheered and waved American flags, creating a festive atmosphere.

Following the parade, the Grand City Show Skiers entertained the crowd with thrilling water ski acrobatics that began at 1:30 p.m. For younger attendees, inflatable bounce houses were provided, ensuring that children were engaged and active throughout the day.

Numerous food trucks lined the area, offering a range of delicious lunch options such as sandwiches, falafel, cotton candy, Kona Ice, and barbecue. Families enjoyed these treats while soaking up the lively atmosphere, which was set to continue until 3:30 p.m.

The evening festivities were scheduled to ramp up at 8 p.m. with live music from the bluegrass band Full Cord, followed by a spectacular fireworks display over Reeds Lake at dusk. This closing event was highly anticipated, with fireworks lighting up the sky as a fitting tribute to the Independence Day celebrations.

East Grand Rapids’ Parks and Recreation department, represented by its leisure supervisor Rachel Fiedler, noted the event’s popularity, attracting both residents and those from as far away as Chicago. The timing of the celebration is particularly beneficial for residents of Grand Rapids, as many have their own celebrations planned for the day after the East Grand Rapids event.

The turnout for the occasion was impressive, with many local families in attendance. For example, attendees like Debbie Nol and her daughter Payton discovered the event while attending another parade. Payton, who is currently a student at Loyola University, enjoyed the engaging activities and the fun atmosphere that the celebration offered. Another attendee, Emily Xie, originally from China, expressed appreciation for the friendly community spirit and the diverse choices in activities and food.

As the night continued with musical performances and fireworks, the events in East Grand Rapids seamlessly led into the ongoing community celebrations in Grand Rapids, where downtown fireworks are scheduled for Saturday, July 5. This back-to-back celebration of Independence Day reflects the community’s pride in its traditions and the spirit of togetherness.

For those seeking more information about future events in the area, details are available on East Grand Rapids’ official website.

Local photojournalist Chloe Trofatter covered the day’s celebrations, documenting the excitement and joy of the holiday festivities.

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Additional Resources

• MLive: East Grand Rapids Celebrates Fourth of July
• WOOD TV: 5 West Michigan Fireworks Shows
• WZZM13: Grand Rapids Fourth of July Fireworks Guide
• WOOD TV: Fourth of July Fireworks Parades in West Michigan
• GR Kids: 4th of July Parades and Fireworks
• Wikipedia: Fourth of July