Fourth of July Celebrations

It’s hard to believe the Fourth of July holiday weekend is already here, but summer is in full-swing. Although many families take off to visit cottages, nearby lakes, and travel for the holiday weekend, there are a few different local events to help you ring in Independence Day too. Midland and Sanford are both hosting firework shows, inviting families to enjoy a colorful sky spectacle. 

The City of Midland is hosting their free 4th of July celebration on Tuesday, July 4 at 8 p.m. at the west side of Dow Diamond Lawn, near the front entrance. Sponsored by Northwood University and Horizon Bank, the event features live music by Stone Street Revival, food, fun, and a fireworks show around 10 p.m.

View of the fireworks from the front lawn at Dow Diamond
Marcie Post, assistant director of public services at the City of Midland says this year’s Fourth of July celebration event includes something new. 

“A group called The Children’s Entrepreneur Market contacted us this year, and they’re going to come downtown this year. It’s basically like a farmer’s market with children’s vendors. Each little business booth’s wares are made by kids and sold by kids. That’s from 4 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday,” Post says.

A two-hour set of live music kicks off at 8 p.m. with Stone Street Revival, an eight-piece horn band playing songs from the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s. Post says the band played at The Commons a few weeks ago, and is a popular fan favorite group locally.  “They bring in a crowd, and bring such an energy, it was just the perfect fit for us,” she says. 
Food trucks gather to start the July 4th celebration in downtown Midland.
Around dusk, the fireworks show (roughly 30 minutes-long) begins. Fireworks will be launched from the St. Charles Softball Diamonds. Although some tall parking structures nearby might block the view of the fireworks, Post says the lawn has an ideal location, but there are also local places with great views too. “They don’t have to watch the show from Dow Diamond, there are other great places to see the fireworks from all over the city,” she says. “This show is pretty high, and we do that on purpose so more people can see it in the sky.”

Families are allowed to bring food, blankets, and lawn chairs to the event, but are encouraged to be respectful of the grounds. Food trucks and vendors will also be on site to provide snacks, slushes, pizza, BBQ, tacos, and sweet treats. Attendees are not allowed to bring individual fireworks, sparklers, or firecrackers to the event. For the safety of your furry friends, pets are also discouraged. 

Post estimates previous events have drawn 1,000 people on the lawn, not including spectators at surrounding parking lots and nearby complexes watching the fireworks show. Her favorite part about the annual event is seeing the community come together, with families making it a summertime tradition.

“With anything that we do, we’re always building this huge sense of community,” she says. “You come out and see all these people that you know. I see the same family year after year. They like to be the first ones in the park and they’re there, smiling and laughing. It’s great. I really love this location. In years past, we had gone to Chippewassee Park, but this is more accessible to our public.”

The Sanford Lake Association is also hosting a July 4th fireworks event at Sanford Lake Park from noon through midnight. The park is open all afternoon, welcoming the community to use the amenities. Fireworks kick off at 10 p.m.