More than 100 community organizations, clubs, businesses and other groups are set to march in this year’s Clarkston Fourth of July Parade, 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 4.
The parade, with the theme “American Made Parade,” kicks off a full day of Fourth of July fun.
Following the parade is the Festival of Fun and Fireworks, with carnival games, inflatables, food, live music, arts and crafts show, K-9 Toss and Fetch Competition, and spray park, at Clintonwood Park, 6000 Clarkston Road, starting at 11 a.m.
The Independence Day Veterans? Celebration also starts at 11 a.m., in and around the Carriage House.
Activities include Military Museum and vehicle displays until 3 p.m., Thank you to Veterans Ceremony, 12:30 p.m., and Meet and Greet at 2:30 p.m.
Fireworks start around 10 p.m., launched from Everest Academy property on Clarkston Road.
The fireworks launch site was moved last year from Clintonwood Park to higher ground behind the academy to increase visibility.
This is the second of a three-year trial, said Ken Elwert, director of Independence Township Parks and Recreation.
‘We heard from community members last year about the move and the majority said they liked it as good or better, but a large minority were disappointed or couldn’t see them at all,? Elwert said. ‘We’ve ramped up our information gathering this year to collect better data. We’ll be handing out postcard surveys at the park and an online survey will be available for two weeks after the fireworks.?
Find the survey at www.ITPR.org, or directly at www.surveymonkey.com/s/CommunityFireworks.
Parade lineup begins at 7 a.m. at St. Dan’s church. For more information on the parade, call Rob Whitcomb, Clarkston Lions Club, at 248-462-0268.
For more information on the festival, call Independence Township Parks and Rec, 248-625-8223.
Parking is available at Clintonwood Park, Everest Academy, Clarkston High School and Clarkston Community Church. Clintonwood parking before 6 p.m is $5, $10 after 6 p.m.
Oakland County Sheriff’s deputies will direct traffic following the fireworks, at about 10:30 p.m. There will be no westbound traffic allowed onto Clarkston Road from Sashabaw Road. Traffic must stay on Sashabaw or go east on Clarkston Road.
All cars parked in the Everest Academy Parking lots will exit the east entrance onto Clarkston Road and will only be able to turn right, east, towards Sashabaw Road.
Cars exiting from Clintonwood Park will only be able to turn right, west, onto Clarkston Road, towards M-15. Later in the evening, a second exit lane may be opened to allow traffice to turn left, east.
All cars parked in the Clarkston High School lot directly in front of the main office will be directed to the far east exit onto Flemings Lake Road and will only be able to turn right, east, towards Walters.
Cars parked in the student parking lots, closest to the baseball fields, will also only be able to turn right, east, towards Walters. The Event Lot will be closed for Fireworks. There will be no traffic allowed to turn from Flemings onto Clarkston Road.
All cars parked in the Clarkston Community Church parking lots will be directed to the exit closest to M-15. All cars will turn right, west, onto Clarkston Road towards M-15.
The parking lot exit closest to Clintonwood Park will be closed.
No parking will be allowed on side streets, especially where signage is posted. Subdivisions will be barricaded and residents only will be allowed to pass through. There will be no parking along Clarkston Road nor Flemings Lake Road. Violators will be ticketed.