With the Fourth of July approaching, many people in Flint & Genesee are planning ways to celebrate the holiday. From boat days to barbeques, there are plenty of ways to celebrate Independence Day in the area.
Here are some events you can attend to celebrate the Fourth of July.
2023 Fenton Freedom Festival
On Tuesday, July 4, the Fenton Freedom Festival Committee will be sponsoring the Fenton Freedom Festival in downtown Fenton. The Freedom Festival Parade will begin at 10 a.m. rain or shine. The parade route is approximately 1.9 miles from Owen Road and Industrial Way heading east along West Shiawassee to Leroy Street, then north on Leroy Street to Caroline Street, and finally going west on Caroline to West Street. Other activities during the festival include a pancake breakfast at the American Legion #38, a 5k Race & Fun Run, free children's games & a cardboard city painting sponsored by Kiwanis Club, snow cones and crafts by the Fenton United Methodist Church, food and refreshments available by Hungry Howie's, and a Rubber Ducky Regatta sponsored by the Rotary Club following the parade.
Independence Day Celebration
Spend the day with some old-fashioned fun at Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad. There will be games and prizes for the kids, card making for veterans, and at 2 p.m. join the park for its annual Crossroads Ice Cream Social as they celebrate our Nation’s 245th year of Independence. Twisting Smiles will offer free balloon art for kids and Craig Wise will entertain the crowd with his amazing stilt walking skills.
Flint Water Festival
On Saturday, July 1 and Sunday, July 2 the 8th Annual Flint Water Festival celebrates H2O and the City of Flint in support of rectification and global water awareness. During the event, there will be an opening reception and book signing at Comma Book Store & Social Hub with New York Times Best-Selling Author and award-winning actor Hill Harper. Then on Sunday, the JaVale McGee Flint City Pro-Am Game Ft. Pistons Extreme Team + Hooper the Mascot will happen from 3-5 p.m. at International Academy of Flint then FIM Sounds of Summer Ft. Drippie Water Drive, 360 Photo Booth, and water bar will happen from 7-10:30 p.m. at the Rutherford Parking Garage Top Deck.
Here are other ways to have fun on the holiday:
Head to a splash pad
Flint & Genesee has multiple fun splash pads that are perfect for kids and families. In Grand Blanc, Physicians Park offers a splash pad where children can run and play. Davison’s Lake Callis and Flint’s Bluebell Beach also have splash pads to enjoy.
Get on the water
Whether it's by boat, canoe, kayak, or just swimming, cooling off at one of Flint & Genesee's many lakes is a great way to spend a relaxing holiday. Genesee County Parks & Recreation has three swimming beaches in Flint & Genesee including Bluebell Beach in Flint, Buttercup Beach in Columbiaville, and Clover Beach at Linden County Park. Boaters can take advantage of public access throughout the county. This includes Lake Ponemah and Lake Fenton in Fenton, Lobdell Lake in Linden, and Otter Lake near the border of Genesee County. Finally, there are plenty of places to float on the water. That includes C.S. Mott Lake in Flint and the Shiawassee River in Fenton and Linden.
