Greatest 4th in the North
Photo by Da Yuppers
Greatest 4th in the North 2009
The 2009 Celebration will begin Tuesday, June 30 and end on Sunday, July 5. The theme this year is "Discover Hidden Treasures at the Greatest 4th in the North". (Think Pirates!) 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. If the 4th falls on a Sunday, then the parade would be on Saturday the 3rd. So, hopefully everyone now knows when the fireworks and parade will be every year!
Click to get info/applications to be an exhibitor
Click Here to View the Program for 2009
We hope that the Grand Parade and Fireworks aren't the only reasonsyou want to come to the Greatest 4th in the North, because we have a lot of great events that take place, including lots of FREE entertaiment. Every evening, beginning on Wednesday night, July 1, you can find a professional entertainment show on the City Park Free Stage, and the reason it is always free for you and your family to go is because of our wonderful sponsors. So if you catch the main stage acts, or maybe a clown, or a juggler, be sure to thank our sponsors if you see them. Better yet, we encourage you to go visit their business and thank them, because if it wasn't for their support you would not see any of the entertainers! And just so you know who those people are, read on further. This year we also included the names and web sites of our entertainers, so that if you didn't know who they are, you can preview them on the web. We hope you pick up a program with a complete schedule of events (or download the 2008 program here ). They are also free, because of our advertisers and sponsors. You will always find them in the Michigan Welcome Centers, other Chamber's, area businesses, the main stage area, in the City Park Information booth and of course at the Chamber office. We hope to see you here in 2009! Below were some highlights.
Tuesday, June 30 - Carnival Opens for the Week + Business After 5 at the Town Pump Saloon from 5-7 p.m.
Wednesday, July 1 - "Battle of the Bands" plus the new merchandise vendors open up behind the downtown City Park for the week.
Thursday, July 2 - Karaoke Contests - Children's Contest (ages 5-18) in the afternoon who will be awarded trophies, then on to the the last opportunity to get into the adult finals in the late afternoon. That evening will be the final competition with $1000 as grand prize, $200 for second place and $100 for third place. Come help cheer on your favorites.
Friday, July 3- The two day Arts & Crafts show opens up across from the carnival grounds. Sound Productions will take the stage and keep entertainment on the stage all day and evening with our emcee Bill Conn. Rosco the Clown will be here along with juggler Tom Bartholomew. This is also the day for our Children's Parade and entertainment. This year the Amazing Clark will be on stage to entertain the children. Lot's of contests and fun will be on stage throughout the day. At 6:30-8 p.m. you will find the Pub Runners on stage (Irish music) followed by Midnight Special (Classic 70's Rock) so you can dance the night away!
Saturday, July 4 - The Athletic Boosters host the 2K, 5K, and 10 K beginning with 7 a.m. registration. The Arts & Crafts show will continue for it's final day and the Grand Parade begins at 10 a.m. If you are near the judges be sure to listen for elmoTHUMM's rendition of the National Anthem when the color guard arrives. Following the parade will be the Ox Roast and Strawberry Festival. Sound Productions will take the stage and assist with the Pie Eating Contest, a show by Shae Laurel and performances by Tom Bartholomew and Rosco The Clown. There will also be a Pizza Eating Contest, Bubble Gum Contest, and more! ElmoTHUMM, the national award winning a'capella group will take the stage at 6:30 p.m. for their final performance at our festival. This is their 10th year as a group and they are no longer going to be performing after 2009, so be sure to see their farewell performance. They will be followed by The System, A Bob Seger Tribute, from 8-10:15 p.m. Then it is time to win that new vehicle! Hope you bought your raffle ticket because the winner will be announced on the City Park Free Stage at 10:15 p.m. At 10:30 p.m. you can watch the fireworks. This year, for the first time, they will be set off on barges approx., 750 feet west of downtown Miltner Beach, across from the new tennis courts.
Sunday, July 6 - Many special activities sponsored by the churches - check out the schedule of events for more details.
ENTERTAINERS: (click on websites for more info)
Amazing Clark - www.amazingclark.com
The Pub Runners - www.pubrunners.net
Midnight Special - www.midnightspeciallive.com
Shae Laurel - www.ShaeLaurel.com
elmoTHUMM - www.elmoTHUMM.com
The System, A Bob Seger Tribute - www.SegerRocks.com
STROLLING ENTERTAINERS:
Rosco the Clown - roscotheclown.com
Juggler Tom Bartholomew - www.tomBtom.com
2009 GREATEST FOURTH IN THE NORTH SPONSORS:
Diamond Sponsor - Classic Ford & Chevrolet
Platinum Sponsors - CenturyTel, Susan L. Vignola, D.D.S., Bear Claw Brewery & Grille
Gold Sponsors - Chemical Bank, Foster's Super Market, Pine Tech, The Hollywood Bar, Tasty Treat, Town Pump Saloon, Wexford Community Credit Union
Silver Sponsors - Food Factory & Pub, Lake City Dairy Queen, Mercy Hospital, Coffe Cup Restaurant, A & L Trading Post, Auto Value of Lake City, Voelker Implement Sales, U.S. Rehab
Bronze Sponsors - A-One Insurance, Cadillac News, Dean Root Drywall, Fifth Third Bank, Lerg Contracting, Norman's Well Drilling, Northern Auto Lab, Northern Michigan Harvestore, RE/MAX Professionals, Smithville Landing, Terry Coaster State Farm Insurance, VanDrie Home Furnishings,
Parade Sponsor - Cadillac Insurance
Official Accommodations - Hampton Inn of Cadillac
Advertising Partner - WUPS 98.5 & The Twister 92.1
MORE QUESTIONS? EMAIL OR CALL US AT:
lcacc@centurytel.net or (231) 839-4969.