Kentwood’s Annual Fourth of July Celebration Announced

News Summary

Kentwood’s annual Fourth of July celebration will take place with a variety of community activities, including a pancake breakfast, patriotic parade, carnival, and a fireworks display. The event aims to foster community spirit and national pride, culminating in an evening of live music and food trucks. Road closures and cashless transactions will enhance safety and convenience for attendees.

Kentwood’s Annual Fourth of July Celebration Scheduled for July 4

Kentwood will celebrate its annual Fourth of July event on Friday, July 4, featuring a variety of activities aimed at fostering community spirit and patriotism. The day-long celebration includes food, fitness events, family-friendly entertainment, and concludes with a spectacular fireworks display.

Activities kick off with a pancake breakfast at Kentwood Fire Station 1, located at 4775 Walma Ave. SE, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Participants can enjoy a hearty breakfast for $5 per person, while children aged three and under can dine for free. Following the breakfast, residents are invited to participate in a 5K race and fun walk, which begins at 8 a.m. from Kentwood City Hall at 4900 Breton Road SE. The race will wind through local neighborhoods and a portion of the East West Trail, with all finishers receiving a medal. For safety reasons, roller skates, dogs, and bikes are not permitted during the race.

The day’s festivities will continue with a festive patriotic parade set to commence at 9:30 a.m. from Crestwood Middle School, located at 2674 44th St. SE. The parade will traverse designated streets and is expected to draw a large crowd of participants and spectators alike.

At 10:30 a.m., the carnival at City Hall grounds will open and remain operational until 2:30 p.m. The carnival will feature rides, games, and the chance to win prizes, with tickets available for $1 each. Attendees may also purchase wristbands for $20, which grant unlimited rides and can be obtained on-site or at designated locations leading up to the event on July 2 and 3.

The evening segment of the celebration will take place on the City Hall lawn from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. This will include community booths, a beer tent, food trucks, and live music performances by local artists such as Signal Trip, Simply in Time, and Par-llo Connection. The festivities will culminate with a stunning fireworks display at dusk, which will be visible from City Hall and surrounding areas.

For the convenience of attendees, the event is completely cashless—participants are encouraged to bring their debit or credit cards. To enhance safety, road closures will be implemented; Walma Avenue will be closed to pedestrian traffic for the entire day, and a portion of Breton Avenue will close shortly before the fireworks, reopening approximately 30 minutes thereafter. Kentwood Police officers, along with volunteers, will be present to assist with directions and overall safety during the event.

The annual Fourth of July celebration is made possible through the support of various sponsors, with Macatawa Bank serving as the diamond sponsor. Organizers are still welcoming participants for the 5K race, parade entries, and volunteers to support the event. For additional information or to sign up, residents can visit kentwood.us/4thofJuly.

This Fourth of July celebration not only marks a significant occasion for the community but also embodies the spirit of togetherness and national pride that residents of Kentwood cherish.

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Additional Resources

• GR Mag: Kentwood to Celebrate Fourth with Pancakes, Parades, Fireworks
• MLive: Kentwood’s Annual Fourth of July Parade Filled with Fun, Patriotism
• WZZM13: Fourth of July Fireworks Displays 2024
• WOOD TV: List of Fourth of July Fireworks & Parades in West Michigan 2024
• Kent Reporter: Kent’s Fourth of July Splash to Feature Fireworks Display, Music, Food
• Wikipedia: Independence Day (United States)