City of Kentwood announces Fourth of July celebration schedule

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East Grand Rapids' 4th of July celebrations include a fireworks show over Reeds Lake.

The city of Kentwood has a full day of family-friendly activities planned for Saturday, the annual Fourth of July Celebration.

The celebration will include a pancake breakfast, 5K race, parade, carnival and live music — all leading up to a fireworks show at dusk.

The pancake breakfast will be from 7-9:30 a.m. at the Kent District Library and will have pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee. It will be $5 per person and free for kids 5 and under.

Racers will meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Kentwood City Hall parking lot for registration and packet pickup for the NN Mobile Solutions 5K Race & Fun Walk.

All participants will receive a medal.

The parade will begin at 9:30 a.m., starting at Crestwood Middle School, traveling south on Walma Avenue SE to Breton Avenue SE, turning west on 52nd St. SE and ending at Challenger Elementary School.

This year, Kentwood will honor essential workers by having them lead the parade. Spectators are encouraged to physically distance themselves from other households along the route.

From 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., there will be a carnival at city hall featuring a variety of rides that will be cleaned between riders and carnival games for all ages.

Individual tickets will cost $1 each, and wristbands will be available for $20.

Tickets and wristbands only will be available at the event, and the number of tickets required for each attraction will vary.

City hall will be the hub for the evening celebration from 4-10 p.m. that will feature community booths, a beer tent and food trucks will line the lawn behind city hall.

A variety of bands, including the BareNaked 90’s, Asamu Johnson and the Associates of the Blues and The Adams Family, will perform live music on the stage leading up to the fireworks show at dusk.

The fireworks will be viewable from city hall and surrounding areas.

A section of Walma Avenue near city hall from Fire Station #1 to the roundabout will be closed all day to allow pedestrians to safely cross the street and take part in the activities.

“We are excited about the return of Kentwood’s Fourth of July Celebration with a variety of activities community members of all ages can enjoy,” Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley said.

The city is seeking volunteers for its Fourth of July Celebration, those who are interested are encouraged to sign up online or call (616) 656-5270.

“We welcome our residents to join us as we celebrate our nation’s independence,” Kepley said.

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