Ludington/ Big Sable Point Lighthouse 4th of July Events
Named in 2024 as the #1 Best Historic Small Towns’ in America (By USA Today), Ludington is THE Place to be on July 4th if you want an old-fashioned Americana-type Independence Day experience. The Freedom Festival Grand Parade kicks off at 2:00 p.m. on the 4th. The downtown streets are alive with color - flowers, flags, streamers - and lots of happy people eating ice cream. And nothing beats fireworks over beautiful Lake Michigan, so head on over to Stearns Park Beach for great viewing and warm sand between your toes. If you're lucky you’ll get to view the legendary S.S. Badger steaming down the channel for a nighttime cruise. But that’s not all -the fun goes on for several days - so be sure and check out the Ludington events calendar for all sorts of festivities, ranging from concerts to horse shows, yard sales to art and craft fairs, airplane rides for kids, and here’s a twist….. beach photos with Santa!. There is something special going on at Big Sable Point Lighthouse - Making accessibility a priority, they offer multiple bus days where visitors can ride a bus out to Big Sable Lighthouse and skip the 2-mile walk!
Muskegon 4th of July and the S.S. Milwaukee Clipper 4th of July Party - 6- 11 p.m.
Muskegon will be sizzling with their 4th of July Fireworks over the water at approx 10:20 p.m. and the best views are along Shoreline Dr. Bring your festive spirit, your lawnchair, or a blanket and get ready to enjoy the ooh and aah’s under the stars. But you can also enjoy fireworks with a spectacular view from the decks of the historic S.S. Milwaukee Clipper. Their annual 4th of July Party fundraiser will be loads of fun featuring classic Americana hot dogs from local G & L, movies in the theater, dancing and a real party atmosphere for only $ 10.00. The party begins at 6;00 p.m. and goes until 11:00 p.m. Tickets are sold shipside and remember, tours are available at other times - Thursday thru Sunday from 1 - 5 p.m.
Country Dairy Ice Cream Social, July 6, 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Who doesn’t love ice cream? Especially when it’s free!! You’re invited to visit Country Dairy, in New Era, on July 6th, for a family day of good ol’ summer fun - anytime between 11am and 6pm. Come for the delicious Ice Cream, for sure - but stay for the horse and wagon rides, the fun kids activities, live music, and free samples in the Farm store. You can rent bikes at Country Dairy and enjoy a family ride on the many trails or order homemade baked goods, snacks or lunch from their Cafe. Enjoy this beautiful dairy, where everything is fresh from their farm, Michigan-made, and produced without growth hormones or GMO’s. And while the day's events and the ice cream are free, there is a suggested $ 5.00 per person or $ 20.00 per family donation, which will go to support four local charities.
This year’s West Michigan Photo Contest will be kicking off this Monday, July 1st, and you’re invited to enter your best West Michigan photos for a chance to win some great prizes - 2 passes to tube or kayak down the Platte River from Riverside Canoe Trips in Honor and a free nights stay plus a round of golf for 2 at Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire! Your photo could also be published in the 2025 Carefree Travel Guide! You can enter photos that you’ve taken from anywhere in West Michigan, from the southern border, all the way up to Mackinac Island and into the UP. You can find all the prizes and rules on WMTA’s website, and be sure to send your photos in by July 29th in order to be entered!
