Escanaba Fourth of July events in thw WORKS

By Audrey LaFave - alafave@daiypress.com

ESCANABA - Local residents will have the chance to enjoy a full slate of family activities at the Fourth of July celebration in Ludington Park in Escanaba Saturday.

The Independence Day Weekend Celebration at Ludington Park coincides with the Escanaba Exchange Club's Family Day in the Park activities. According to Escanaba Recreation Director Tom Penegore, Saturday's events will include children's games such as tug of war, water balloon toss, sack races, golf putting games, prizes and free American flags give-always from 1-5 p.m. The fireworks show will begin at dusk.

"The 2009 Escanaba Fireworks display promises to be one of the largest fireworks shows in the Upper Peninsula," Penegore said in a press release. "Many local businesses, organizations and individuals have contributed significant funding toward improving the quality and quantity of the Escanaba fireworks program."

Abracadabra will be on hand with an inflatable climbing wall, moonwalk and slide from 1 p.m. until dusk.

Penegore said Escanaba Public Safety will have a fire truck on display as well as jaws of life and police dog demonstrations at 2 and 4 p.m.

Summer foods will also be available at the event, including Depidy Dawg ice cream, Delta Astronomical Society lemonade, caramel apples, Sayklly's fudge, Papa Murphy's Pizza, Norm's Famous French Fries, Sully's Submarine Sandwiches, Sticky Fingers Cotton Candy, Moraski's Hawaiian shaved ice, Ramido's steak sandwiches, Mr. Tom Dog House hot dogs and the Flashers flashing jewelry will also be for sale.

Adventures In Sound will provide music from 1 to 5 p.m. at the park, and the Blue Lakes Fine Arts Concert Band will be featured from 3 to 4 p.m at the Karas Memorial Band Shell.

Penegore said the celebration will continue into the evening hours at Ludington Park, with the Escanaba City Band performing at 8:30 p.m., featuring patriotic tunes and marches until dusk.

"Saturday's activities will conclude with the area's largest fireworks display, scheduled to begin at dusk, approximately 10:15 p.m.," said Penegore.

MIX106 will again this year be hosting a live broadcast and patriotic music during the fireworks display. In the event of inclement weather, the fireworks will be rescheduled for Sunday at dusk.