July 4 to be celebrated with concerts, games, food, pancakes, pickles, fireworks and more!

Cheryl Morey, South Bend Tribune
·9 min read
Fireworks will cap off many events in the Michiana area this year.
Fireworks will cap off many events in the Michiana area this year.

SOUTH BEND — Concerts, games, good food, races, parades and of course fireworks! As you look for a fun way to celebrate the holiday this year, stay local. Holiday events in the region include:

INDIANA

• Elkhart — Join Elkhart Parks and Recreation for free music and fireworks. Ultrafab will perform at the Central Green stage, 300 S. Main St., at 8 p.m. July 1 followed by fireworks after dusk.

• Elkhart — Ruthmere is a participant in the Blue Star Museum program and will offer free admission to all active-duty service men and women and their families on July 2. Each visitor will receive a free flag with tour. Ruthmere is located at 302 E. Beardsley Ave. Tours are on the hours of 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Tickets: $10-$4 (ages 4 and younger, free); ruthmere.org.

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• Granger — Steve’s Big Bang Theory Fireworks presents Rock’in with Fire 10 2023 on June 30 at 53520 Fir Road. Gates open at 8 p.m., and the show will begin around 10 p.m. Park in the designated field area and bring a chair or blanket to sit near your vehicle; bug spray is recommended. Bring your own food and beverage; Kona Ice will be available for purchase. Tune to 106.9 FM radio for sound. This show is free with suggested donation of $4 per person; ojsbsi.com/rockin-with-fire-10-2023/.

• Knox — The Family Fun Day and Fireworks Show will be held July 1. The parade will begin at 1 p.m., gates at Wythogan Park, 101 W. Washington St., will open at 2 p.m. with fireworks at 9:30 p.m. (all times are CDT). Fun activities for the whole family with games, activities, food, music and a beer garden.

• Lakeville — 4th of July Parade, 10 a.m. July 4. Enjoy the fun on Michigan Street in downtown Lakeville.

• Lakeville — Newton Park 4th of July Celebration on July 4, 801 N. Michigan St. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. with a free 7:15 p.m. concert by Cook & Belle with opening act Val Ingle. End the evening with fireworks at 10 p.m. No smoking, alcohol, coolers or pets allowed. Activities include food trucks, dunk tank, corn hole, carnival games and more.

• LaPorte — Red Wine and Brew Local Heroes Benefit Concert, June 30 to July 2 at The Summit, 2110 N. 500 West. This annual benefit supports and recognizes first responders and features country musicians, beer and wine tasting, kids fun zone, food, and more. Tickets are $250-$10 and can be purchased online at bethanyevents.ticketspice.com/red-wine-and-brew-2023.

• LaPorte — Run for Riley 5K Run/Walk, held by the Kiwanis Club of LaPorte, will be July 4 before the parade. Registration will begin at 7 a.m. CDT with the race starting at 8:30 a.m. CDT. The route begins and ends in the Aldi parking lot at the intersection of Andrew Avenue and Indiana 2. Register online by July 3 at: runsignup.com/Race/IN/LaPorte/KiwanisRunforRiley. The cost is $30. All net proceeds go to Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis.

• LaPorte — 77th Annual LaPorte 4th of July Parade, hosted by the Kiwanis Club of LaPorte, 10 a.m. CDT July 4. Following the traditional route, traveling west down Lincolnway from Tipton Street to Andrew Avenue. The theme this year is “Made in America, with Hometown Pride.”

• Michigan City — Patriotic Parade on July 1. A traditional march down Franklin Street from Tenth Street to Ames Field. The parade begins at 11 a.m. CDT, and this year’s theme is “You’re A Grand Old Flag.”

• Michigan City — Fireworks will light up the sky at 10 p.m. CDT on July 4 in Washington Park Beach, 6 on the Lake.

• Mishawaka — South Bend-Elkhart Audubon Society Wildlife Sanctuary, 59395 Clover Road, will hold an Independence Day Pancake Breakfast from 7:30 to 10 a.m. Enjoy plain, blueberry and pecan pancakes, coffee, or milk. Bring your own table service. After eating, enjoy a walk along the trails. This event is free, but donations are welcome.

• Mishawaka — Fifth Annual Independence Day Celebration, 3 p.m. July 1 at Central Park, 235 E. Mishawaka Ave. Live music by Zero, kid’s games and activities, food, vendors, arts and crafts, and fireworks at dusk.

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• New Paris — Head out to the New Paris Speedway, 16806 County Road 46, for a “Night of Destruction-Celebration of Independence and Fireworks” on July 3. Pits and gates open at 2 p.m., and racing starts at 5 p.m. Tickets: $15-$5; children 5 and younger are free. Pit passes: $30.

• North Liberty — “North Liberty Americana” parade at 2 p.m. July 4 in downtown. At 5 p.m. the celebration continues at North Liberty Elementary School with games, food and a DJ. Bring lawn chairs or blankets and watch the fireworks at dusk.

• Shipshewana — Shipshewana Flea Market has an extended holiday market schedule of July 3 to 5 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The flea market is located at 345 S. Van Buren St.

Members of the cast for South Bend Civic Theatre's production of "Guys and Dolls" will perform with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra during the SBSO's "Symphony Under the Stars" concert June 30 at Howard Park.
Members of the cast for South Bend Civic Theatre's production of "Guys and Dolls" will perform with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra during the SBSO's "Symphony Under the Stars" concert June 30 at Howard Park.

• South Bend — The South Bend Symphony Orchestra presents “Symphony Under the Stars” at 8 p.m. June 30 at Howard Park, 219 S. St. Louis Blvd. Under the baton of guest conductor David Lockington, the SBSO will perform patriotic tunes, tributes to the armed forces and popular songs performed by South Bend Civic Theatre’s "Guys and Dolls" cast. Admission is free.

• South Bend — Celebrate July 4 at Four Winds Field at Coveleski Stadium, 501 W. South St., watching the Cubs play the Peoria Chiefs at 7:05 p.m. and fireworks after. Tickets: $16-$14.

Fireworks closed out the South Bend Cubs vs. Lansing Lugnuts game on June 8 . Celebrate July 4 at Four Winds Field at Coveleski Stadium with fireworks after the Cubs vs. Peoria Chiefs game.
Fireworks closed out the South Bend Cubs vs. Lansing Lugnuts game on June 8 . Celebrate July 4 at Four Winds Field at Coveleski Stadium with fireworks after the Cubs vs. Peoria Chiefs game.

• Syracuse — Patriotic Pops Concert – The Tradition Continues, featuring the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, will be held from 7:30 to 9 p.m. today, June 25, on the Oakwood Resort lawn, 702 E. Lake View Road. Come early and enjoy a balloon artist and face painter. This concert is free. Bring a chair or blanket, or anchor your boat near the beach.

• Syracuse — Lake Wawasee Fireworks at 10:15 p.m. July 1. Fireworks from the center of the lake, view from the shoreline or from a boat. Tune to Willie 103.5 FM for synchronized music.

• Walkerton — “Small Town America” parade at 7 p.m. July 4. Begins at Urey Middle School and ends at John Glenn High School, 201 John Glenn Drive, where fireworks will begin at dusk. Concessions available.

• Winamac — The 100th anniversary of the Memorial Swinging Bridge at Winamac Park, 262 E. Old Indiana 14, will be held from 4 to 10 p.m. July 3. The rededication of the footbridge will mirror aspects of the original dedication ceremony. A central theme will be to honor the county’s veterans and current service men and women. Military members are encouraged to wear uniforms, memorabilia or caps that commemorate their service. Members of the public are invited to wear period costume from 100 years ago (the “Roaring ’20s’) or other historical clothing or patriotic wear. The rededication ceremony will be from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., but food vendors, local bands, youth baseball and softball games, and the illumination of the 100-year-old Memorial Swinging Bridge will be included during the event.

• Winona Lake — The Wagon Wheel Symphony of the Lakes will give a free patriotic concert at 8 p.m. July 1, at the Miller Sunset Pavilion, 705 Park Ave. Participants should bring a lawn chair or blanket. The program’s theme “Salute to America Road Trip” will take listeners on a musical trip across America. Fireworks over the lake will begin about 10 p.m. For more information visit wagonwheelcenter.org/programs/symphony-of-the-lakes.

Wagon Wheel Symphony of the Lakes, under the direction of Maestro Jason Thompson, will perform a patriotic concert at the Miller Sunset Pavilion in Winona Lake.
Wagon Wheel Symphony of the Lakes, under the direction of Maestro Jason Thompson, will perform a patriotic concert at the Miller Sunset Pavilion in Winona Lake.

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MICHIGAN

• Baroda — The Beer Garden at the Public House, 9151 First St., will celebrate America’s birthday with music by Memphis Underground from 7 to 10 p.m., drinks, food, and more at the annual Baroda Fireworks celebration starting at 5 p.m. July 3. Must be 21 or older; $5 cover charge. No pets.

• Baroda — The American Legion Post 345, 9214 First St., will celebrate Independence Day from 7 to 11:30 p.m. on July 3 with food, fun, drinks, live music from Dart Board Compromise and fireworks.

• Berrien Springs — July 4 Pickle Festival on the grounds of the History Center at Courthouse Square, 313 N. Cass St. Enjoy a pickle tasting room, games, a pickle fling, pickle decorating contest, dunk tank, vendors and more. The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In this file photo, an American flag waves in the wind near the Veterans Memorial at the cemetery before the Fourth of July parade in North Liberty on July 4, 2017.
In this file photo, an American flag waves in the wind near the Veterans Memorial at the cemetery before the Fourth of July parade in North Liberty on July 4, 2017.

• Cassopolis — Diamond Lake Fireworks, 10 to 11:05 p.m. July 1 (wind/rain delay date will be July 2).

• Dowagiac — Freedom Fireworks Annual Event, 9:30 to 11 p.m. June 30. Sponsored by Young Professionals of Greater Dowagiac. Fireworks will be set off at Dowagiac Municipal Airport, with public viewing from Russom Park and surrounding areas. Bring blankets and chairs to enjoy this free family fun event.

• Galien — July 4 activities: Pancake breakfast at Galien American Legion, 402 N. Cleveland Ave., from 8 to 10:30 a.m. The parade will begin at 11 a.m. A car show at the Legion will begin after the parade with trophies awarded for best in show. Lunch concessions available during the car show.

• New Buffalo — Independence Day fireworks over Lake Michigan from 9:30 to 10:30 p.m. July 3 in the harbor.

• Niles — Fireworks will begin at dusk, around 9:30 p.m. July 3, at the Apple Festival Grounds, 1740 Lake St.

• St. Joseph — Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra will present its annual Independence Day Concert and firework display on July 3 at Shadowland Pavilion, Silver Beach County Park, 101 Broad St. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Concessions available (cash only). No food or drink may be brought into the park. Rain location will be in the St. Joseph High School auditorium, 2521 Stadium Drive. Gates open at 7:30 p.m., performance at 8:30 p.m. Purchase tickets at smso.org, by calling the SMSO office at 269-982-4030 or the night of the concert at the gate. Cost: $35-$5 (children 5 and under, free).

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Fourth of July celebrations include parades, concerts, and fireworks