Hot air balloons, fireworks, car shows: How Calhoun County is celebrating Independence Day
Colorful hot air balloons, high-powered aircraft and a plethora of fireworks will fill the skies over Calhoun County this weekend as residents celebrate Independence Day.
Field of Flight, the largest combined air show and balloon festival in North America, returned to Battle Creek Executive Airport at Kellogg Field Thursday and runs through July 4 with a variety of aerial displays, fireworks and live music, among other activities.
Additional holiday festivities are planned this weekend in Marshall and Albion.
Here's a look at some of what Calhoun County has to offer for Independence Day weekend:
Battle Creek
Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival: Gates opened at 4 p.m. Thursday, with $10 parking per vehicle and free admission. There will be food vendors and more than 20 rides and games through Skerbeck Entertainment Group. Victoria Circus First Class Entertainment, featuring motorcycles in the globe, high wire performances and more, will have several weekend performances. There will be live music each day of the event in the evenings.
On Friday, gates open at 3 p.m. with $5 parking and admission is $13 per person (children 3 feet and under are free). From 4 to 5:30 p.m., there will be an air show warmup. The twilight air show begins at 8:30 p.m., followed by a night show with pyrotechnics at 10 p.m.
Runners and walkers will line up at 7 a.m. Saturday 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 runs from noon to 5:30 p.m., featuring the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demo Team, the U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet RHINO Demo Team, the U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt Heritage Flight and civilian performers. Fireworks are slated for 10:30 p.m.
Festival grounds will open at 10 a.m. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, with air shows beginning at noon. The festival will come to a close with an Independence Day fireworks display at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday.
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. 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.
City fireworks ordinance: Fireworks are permitted on private property between 11 a.m. and 11:45 p.m. from June 29 through July 4. Violations can be reported by calling the non-emergency line at (269) 781-0911 and can result in a $1,000 fine. Residents can also report violations online, including photos and video footage, at battlecreekmi.gov/police.
"Fireworks holidays can be a challenge for veterans, pets, and others," city officials said in a Wednesday release. "We ask neighbors to respect those around them and only use fireworks at home when they are allowed by law."
Though the city's open burn ban has been lifted, fire department officials still urge residents to exercise caution while celebrating the holiday and not light fireworks on dry grass or in wooded areas.
Albion
Red, White and Blue Cruise-In & Car Show: The Albion Downtown Development Authority is sponsoring the 23rd annual cruise-in and car show "on the bricks" of Superior Street from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday. 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 Big Mo.
Fireworks at Dusk: The Greater Albion Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau is presenting the traditional fireworks at dusk on Monday, July 3 at Barnes Park, 400 Water St.; rain date is Wednesday, July 5.
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.
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 Tuesday, July 4.
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.
All cyclists riding in the parade are required to wear a helmet. As a result of grant funding, parade sponsor Oaklawn Medical Group is making a limited number of helmets available at no cost for those who don't bring them.
Lineup for the parade begins at 9:40 a.m. Tuesday. 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 Condominiums building, near the National House Inn.
At 11 a.m., a lunch featuring barbecued chicken, hotdogs and ice cream will get under way, sponsored by the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance, along with a performance by the Marshall Rotary Community Band.
Contact reporter Greyson Steele at gsteele@battlecreekenquirer.com
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: How Calhoun County is celebrating the Fourth of July
