Here are a few ways to celebrate Independence Day this year in Calhoun County
Colorful hot air balloons, high-powered aircraft and no shortage of fireworks will be sure to fill the skies over Calhoun County in the coming days as residents celebrate Independence Day.
Field of Flight, the largest combined air show and balloon festival in North America, returns to Battle Creek Executive Airport at Kellogg Field on Wednesday and runs through Sunday with a variety of aerial displays, fireworks and live music, among other activities.
Car shows, a parade and a community barbecue are just a few of the other festivities planned to celebrate the Fourth of July in Calhoun County. Here's a look at some of the holiday offerings:
Battle Creek
Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival (July 3-7): Gates open at 4 p.m. Wednesday, with $10 parking per vehicle and free admission. A variety of food vendors will be on hand featuring ribs, chicken, steak sandwiches and ice cream, among other offerings. There will be more than 20 carnival rides and games Wednesday through July 6, courtesy of Skerbeck Entertainment Group, as well as live music in the evenings, among other entertainment offerings.
On Thursday, gates open at 10 a.m. with $5 parking and admission is $15 per person (children 3 feet and under are free). The air show runs from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team, the U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet RHINO Demo Team, U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II Demo Team and the United States Navy F-35C Lightning II Demo Team, among others. Fireworks are slated for 10:30 p.m.
Gates open at 3:30 p.m. July 5 with an air show warmup slated from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The twilight air show begins at 8:30 p.m., followed by a night show with pyrotechnics at 9:30 p.m.
Runners and walkers will line up at 7 a.m. July 6 for the Cereal City Half Marathon and 5K run through the festival grounds and airport. Gates open at 10 a.m. and the air show once again runs from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Fireworks are slated for 10:30 p.m.
Festival grounds will open for the final day of the festival at 10 a.m. July 7 with the air show beginning at 11 a.m.
For more information and a full event schedule, visit fieldofflight.com.
Goguac Lake Boat Parade: The annual Goguac Lake boat parade returns, launching in front of the former Pasche's Lakeside Restaurant at 6 p.m. Thursday. The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office will lead the parade, with dozens of boats vying for "most creative," "most patriotic," "best party boat" and a new category, people’s choice “best overall” boat. Balloons are not permitted to be used for boat decorations, per event organizers.
Albion
Red, White and Blue Cruise-In & Car Show: The Albion Downtown Development Authority is sponsoring the 24th annual cruise-in and car show "on the bricks" of Superior Street from 4 to 8 p.m. today (Friday, June 28). Registration is free and begins at 3 p.m., with a collector's dash plaque for the first 100 entries. Live music featuring the sounds of the 1950s and the 1960s will be performed by DJ BigMoe.
Fireworks at Dusk: The Greater Albion Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau is presenting the traditional fireworks at dusk on Wednesday, July 3 at Barnes Park, 400 Water St.
Marshall
Cruise at the Fountain: Marshall's annual car show kicks off at 8 a.m. Saturday with registration, vendors and a craft show at the Calhoun County Fairgrounds, 720 Fair St. Gate admission is $5 (children 12 and under enter free). Vehicles will cruise through downtown Marshall beginning at 5 p.m.
Early registration at the fairgrounds will run from 5 to 7 p.m. tonight (Friday), to be followed by a sock hop dance from 7 to 10 p.m. with contests for best dressed individual, best dressed couple, best individual dancer and best dancing pair.
For more information, visit cruisemarshall.com.
Pet, Bike & Wagon Parade: Hundreds of kids, family members and pets will once again parade around Brooks Memorial Fountain with colorfully decorated bicycles and other vehicles during the annual Pet, Bike & Wagon Parade on Thursday.
The parade will step off at 10 a.m. on Independence Day in downtown Marshall. Children 3 to 12 are encouraged to create costumes and decorations celebrating Independence Day.
Ribbons will be presented to all participants, plus first-, second- and third-place honors in each of the following categories: pets, bikes and wagons.
All bikers riding in the parade must wear helmets. Parade sponsor Oaklawn Medical Group will have a limited amount of helmets available to those who are in need.
Lineup for the parade begins at 9:40 a.m. Thursday. There is no fee to participate, but registration is required through oaklawnhospital.org/parade. Late registration will only be accepted the day of the event from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. in front of the Crary Condos building, near the National House Inn.
The parade will be followed by the annual Marshall Chicken BBQ at 10:45 a.m. Choose between barbecue chicken ($12) or the kids hot dog meal ($8). Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Choose Marshall Welcome Center, 323 W. Michigan Ave.
Contact reporter Greyson Steele at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: How Calhoun County is celebrating Independence Day