• Michigan is launching events to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary through the America 250MI initiative
• Celebrations across the state include fireworks, historical tours, museum exhibits, concerts and family events
• About 60 Michigan communities will hold synchronized readings of the Declaration of Independence on July 8

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From public readings of the Declaration of Independence in seven languages to historical reenactments, fireworks and museum exhibits, communities across Michigan are kicking off celebrations leading up to the nation’s 250th birthday. 

To mark the semiquincentennial anniversary, the America 250MI committee provided $2 million in grants to local museums and historical societies. Around 60 Michigan communities are also planning coordinated readings of the Declaration of Independence in seven or more languages.

Robert Doran-Brockway, project director of America 250MI, is spearheading an effort to read the Declaration of Independence in locations across Michigan at the same time on July 8, which is the 250th anniversary of when the document was first read to the public. 

“We’re bringing back the spirit of America through this simple act of reading the Declaration of Independence, that all men are created equal, with life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” he told Bridge Michigan.

Michigan’s readings will be among more than 600 across the country and the globe, all beginning at 6 p.m., the time when the document was first read. Click here to see a full list of reading locations.

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Below, you can read about other America 250MI events and Independence Day celebrations happening across Michigan over the next two weeks.

Declarations of Independence 

• Sharing the Spirit of America. The public reading of the Declaration of Independence at various locations across the state – July 8 
• Signing of the Giant Declaration of Independence at the Frankenmuth Historical Museum – July 2-4
• The All-American Market: Celebrating America 250 and the 4th of July at the Farmington Farmer & Artisan Market – July 4 
• America’s 250 in Downtown Midland at Dow Diamond – July 4 
• A Star Spangled Fourth of July at Ft. Mackinac – July 4
• Annotated Reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Grace A. Dow Library – July 8 

Fireworks 

• Nature’s Firework Discovery Hike on Mackinac Island – July 2
• Salute of America Fireworks at Greenfield Village – July 2
• Crystal Mountain Fireworks and Fun at Crystal Mountain – July 2
• Bay City Fireworks Festival at Veterans Memorial Park – July 2-4 
• Saugatuck Douglas 3rd of July Fireworks at Wick’s Park Gazebo – July 3 
• Marquette’s Fourth of July Fireworks at Ellwood A Mattson Lower Harbor Park – July 3 
• Cilo Fireworks & Family Fun Day in the City of Cilo – July 3 
• South Haven: Light Up the Lake Fireworks at Riverfront Park- July 3 
• Grand Haven 4th of July: Fountain & Fireworks Spectacular at Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium – July 4 
• 4th of July Fireworks in Downtown Munising at Binsfield Bayshore Park and Marina – July 4 
• 4th of July Fireworks on Mackinac Island – July 4 
• Cadillac Freedom Fest Fireworks in Cadillac – July 4
• Battle Creek Fireworks Galore at the Battle Creek Executive Airport – July 4 
• Grand Rapids 4th of July Fireworks at Ah-Nab-Awen Park – July 4 
• Traverse City National Cherry Festival: 4th of July Fireworks at Open Space Park – July 4 

Historical Tours and performances 

• Drive Arenac 205 Tour at Arenac County Historical Society – July 1-8 
• The Revolution and  Michilimackinac at Colonial Michilimackinac – July 1 
• America 250MI History Grant Recipient Exhibition at Marquette Maritime Museum – July 2 
• Joey’s Field Trip to Detroit, a New World at Motor City Youth Theatre – July 3-4 and July 10-11
• Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra: A Salute to America at the Shadowland Pavilion – July 3 
• Fire at Night at Colonial Michilimackinac – July 3 
• Launch of the 3rd Ward Legacy tour at the Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives – July 4 
• 96th Annual Ypsilanti 4th of July Parade at the Ypsilanti Water Tower – July 4
• Echoes of Sanilac: Exploring the History of Michigan’s Thumb at Port Austin History Center- July 9-12, July 14-16 and July 18-19
• Freedom Plane National Tour: Documents That Forged a Nation at the Henry Ford – July 9-26 
• A Brief History of American Music at Brighton District Library – July 9 

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