71st Ludington Area Jaycees Freedom Festival takes place Thursday, Friday

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief

LUDINGTON — The Ludington Area Jaycees Freedom Festival takes place on Thursday, July 3 and on Independence Day, Friday, July 4. This is the 71st year the Jaycees, now known as JCI Ludington, presents the event.

The Freedom Festival kicks off at 6 p.m. Thursday with the Children & Pets Parade. The short parade begins at the corner of Loomis and Ferry streets, runs east to William Street then south to Waterfront Park. See below for more details.

On Friday, July 4, the Grand Parade begins at 2 p.m. at the intersection of Ludington Avenue (US 10) and Madison Street and travels west to Lakeshore Drive. The Scottville Clown Band, as it has since 1948, will end the parade.

The fireworks show over Lake Michigan begins after dusk.

The Freedom Festival is privately funded and contributions are needed. The fireworks show costs $60,000.

Those wishing to donate to the Freedom Festival may click on this link, or send checks to JCI Ludington, PO Box 411, Ludington, MI 49431. For questions, email info@jciludington.org. For more information, visit www.jciludington.org.

Since 1948 the Scottville Clown Band has been the grand finale of the Fourth of July parade.

July 4 information:

• Spot saving along the Grand Parade route is not allowed prior to 24 hours before the parade.
• Observe all “no parking” road closures.
• No parking is allowed at Loomis Street Boat Launch unless the vehicle has a trailer. The boat ramp must be cleared by 6 p.m.
• Stearns Park closes to traffic at 4 p.m. The park will remain open.
• No dogs are allowed at Stearns Park beach. They really don’t like fireworks anyway.
• Smoking is not allowed on city property during the event.
• There is limited handicap parking at Stearns Park. First come, first serve.
• Adults need to watch their children.
• Be nice! Have fun!
• Help contribute to the fireworks and parade.

July 3 Children & Pets Parade Information

To participate, just show up! The parade starts at 6 p.m. Meet at the intersection of Loomis and Ferry streets on the northwest corner of the Ludington Municipal Marina.

• Goody bags will be available for the first 200 participants.
• Judging categories include: Patriotism, Originality, and overall second and first place winners.
• No registration is required.
• The parade moves at walking speed.
• Pets are welcome but not required.
• Bikes, scooters, wagons and walkers are encouraged.

Post Fireworks Traffic:

The following is the traffic control plan for exiting the fireworks:

• US 10: Traffic along US 10 will be the main traffic route from the City of Ludington east. Eastbound and westbound traffic will be allowed.
• No traffic will be permitted north on Atkinson Drive (entrance to the hospital) in Ludington and Nelson Road in Pere Marquette Township; those roads will be unmanned but barricaded to thru traffic.
• Tinkham Avenue from Lakeshore Drive to Rath Avenue is closed to all traffic.
• Tinkham Avenue/Johnson Road will be monitored at a traffic control point at Johnson Road and Jebavy Drive. Traffic will be directed only northbound on Jebavy Drive at that intersection.
• Bryant Road will be monitored to a traffic control point at BJebavy Drive. Traffic will be directed only northbound on Jebavy Drive from that intersection.
• Jebavy Drive: No southbound traffic will be allowed from Rasmussen Road, Bryant Road, and Johnson Road. All traffic coming south on Jebavy Drive will be directed east on Rasmussen Road or allowed to continue north.
• Rasmussen Road/Hansen Road traffic will be allowed east and west. Traffic heading west on Rassmussen Road will be directed north on Jebavy Drive only. Traffic traveling east on Rassmussen Road can move freely to Dennis Road or Stiles Road and back south as the detour to US-10/31.
• Pere Marquette Highway: There will be no northbound traffic allowed from traffic control points of First Street, Sixth Street, and Iris Road. Traffic at those locations will be directed southbound only. Motorists intending to travel east can enter northbound US 31 freeway or travel to points further south such as Chauvez Road. Motorists should avoid traveling northbound on Pere Marquette Highway to the intersection of US 10, as traffic traveling east will remain constant and the priority before any other traffic.