The 2013 Celebration begins Tuesday, July 2 and ends on Sunday, July 7th. The theme this year is "Racing to the Greatest 4th in the North." The most commonly asked questions concerning the festival are: "When are the fireworks and when is the Grand Parade?" To answer these questions, the fireworks are ALWAYS on July 4 and the Grand Parade is also always on July 4, EXCEPT…when the 4th falls on a Sunday, which it does not this year, so the Grand Parade will be Wednesday, July 4 at 10:00 a.m.  The 2013 programs are now available here at the Chamber office, area businesses & Michigan Welcome Centers.

Click here to view the
Greatest 4th in the North 2013 Program

Click here to get info/applications to be an exhibitor

Click for the karaoke contest rules.

The Food Vendors will be opening up at 11 a.m. and the rest of the vendors will open at 3 p.m. Business After 5 will be at the Town Pump Saloon from 5-7 p.m. The public is welcome to this kick off! The Battle of the Bands stage will get warmed up with Larry Bouza & Terry Dunn from 5-6 p.m. and then the competition begins at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Karaoke Contests - Jr. Contest (ages 5-18) begins at 11 a.m. and three winners are awarded cash prizes and trophies, then on to the the last opportunity to get into the Sr. finals at 2 p.m., at our last preliminary. That evening at 7 p.m. we have the final competition with $700 as grand prize, $200 for second place and $100 for third place. the winner of the Jr. contest will also perform for you at the Senior Competition. The two day craft show begins at 10 a.m. at it's new location in the United Methodist Church parking lot, walking distance from down town. Also new this year, Schmidt Amusements carnival will open up at noon with special arm band prices of only $12!

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

The Grand Parade will begin at 10 a.m. and the Athletic Boosters host the 2K, 5K, and 10K beginning with 6:30 a.m. registration. Following the parade will be the traditional Ox Roast and Strawberry Festival. Sound Productions will take the stage right after the parade and keep entertainment on the stage all day and evening. On Stage from 1-2:30 P.M. you can catch the Petoskey Steel Drum Band, followed by Rosco the Clown, a Pizza Eating Contest, Hulla-Hoop Competitions, the amazing Alan Kazam and more! The evening brings Brian Nolf to the stage from 7-8 p.m. and finally the amazing talent of The Monkey Grinders from 8-10 p.m. It will be the second and last day of the Arts & Crafts show at it's new location in the parking lot of the United Methodist Church. At 10:30 p.m. the fireworks will light up the sky just off of Miltner Beach(M-66) on beautiful Lake Missaukee.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

You will find the free stage full of entertainment throughout the day and the evening brings back some familiar faces in THUMMp (formally elmoTHUMM) the amazing a capella group, followed by Detour who you will find on top of the charts on bluegrass radio stations! The Venetian Parade should be floating by about 9 p.m. If you want to join in on the fun with your boat call Bob or Lori Larsen at 839-7779, lots of fun especially for the participants!

Friday, July 5, 2013

Saturday Beach Volleyball starts out the day at the Missaukee County Park at 9 a.m. New this year is Race Cars on Display from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.  Check out the local race cars and meet the drivers on Prospect & Main St.  Marimbamania will be in concert from 1-2 p.m. A xylophone wizard of many hats! Also many contests at the free stage, then Rion Taiko in Concert with their amazing Japanese drums, followed by one of our favorites Brian Lorente & the Usual Suspects in concert from 8-10 p.m.! At 10:15 we will be drawing the winners of the car raffle and giving away a 2013 Chevrolet Camaro! At the same time we invite everyone to light a sky lantern anywhere around Lake Missaukee!

Saturday, July 6, 2013