The Fourth of July in Grass Lake isn't just a holiday — it's a homecoming. Families who grew up here bring their own kids now. People drive in from across Jackson County. Lawn chairs line the route by 9 a.m. And for one Saturday every summer, this little town of 3,500 feels like the center of the world.
This year is something extra special. July 4th, 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States of America — a Semiquincentennial celebration that only comes around once in a lifetime. There's no better place to mark it than right here, small town USA, Grass Lake, Michigan.
Here's everything you need to know.
The Parade
The main event. Floats begin forming at Grass Lake High School at 8:00 a.m., and the parade steps off at 10:00 a.m. sharp, running from the high school all the way down to the county park.
Want to be in it? Register your float, vehicle, or entry by emailing jducey.4thjuly@gmail.com — include your name, contact info, entry type, and responsible person.
The parade is brought to you by the Grass Lake Sportsman's Club, the Village of Grass Lake, and Grass Lake Township — the same community institutions that have kept this tradition alive for generations.
Looking for a Grand Marshall recommendation? Email jducey.4thjuly@gmail.com or call 734-395-7212.
Full Schedule — Saturday, July 4th
- 8:00 a.m. — Parade forms at Grass Lake High School
- 10:00 a.m. — Parade steps off, runs to the county park
- After the parade — Chicken BBQ at the park (DJ Ghost Rider on the ones and twos)
- 12:45 p.m. — Cardboard Boat Race registration opens
- 1:30 p.m. — Cardboard Boat Races begin (sponsored by the Grass Lake Lions Club)
- ~3:00 p.m. — Corn Hole Competition kicks off
Chicken BBQ at the Park
Right after the parade, head to the park for a classic chicken BBQ. It's a Grass Lake 4th tradition and it does not disappoint.
- $14.00 per meal (cash)
- $15.00 per meal (credit card)
And keeping the energy going all afternoon — Joe Deboe of Ghost Rider DJ will be spinning at the park through the BBQ and boat races. Come hungry, stay for the music.
Cardboard Boat Races
Every year the Grass Lake Lions Club puts on one of the most entertaining spectacles of the summer — the Cardboard Boat Races. Teams build their own boats out of cardboard and hit the water. Some float. Some don't. All of them are unforgettable.
- Registration: 12:45 p.m.
- Races start: 1:30 p.m.
- Questions? Contact Cindy Popovich at 989-413-8178 or Tom Denig at 517-879-8810
Corn Hole Competition
Stick around after the boats — Corn Hole gets going at approximately 3:00 p.m. Bring your A-game.
A Tradition Generations Deep
The Grass Lake Fourth of July parade has been a cornerstone of this community for decades. People who moved away still come back every year. Grandparents sit in the same spot they sat as kids. It's one of those rare small-town constants — the kind of thing you don't fully appreciate until you've lived somewhere without it.
This year, with America turning 250, it hits a little different. Wave those flags a little harder. Cheer a little louder. Pull the kids close and tell them what makes a place like Grass Lake worth celebrating.
Here's a look back at what this parade has meant — a glimpse from 2025, 2017, and all the way back to 1973:
Grass Lake 4th of July — 2025 (CJMK Photography)
Grass Lake 4th of July Parade — 2017 (Michigan Media House)
Grass Lake 4th of July Parade — 1973
Over 50 years of this. Same road. Same flags. Same small town showing up for itself.
We'll See You Out There
The Grass Lake Times will be out in full force this year — capturing the parade, the faces, the floats, the boats, and all the moments that make the 4th in Grass Lake what it is. If you see our cameras, give us a wave. We want to see you in the video.
Happy 250th, America. And happy Fourth of July, Grass Lake. 🇺🇸
Questions about the parade? Email jducey.4thjuly@gmail.com or call 734-395-7212. Cardboard Boat Races info: Cindy Popovich 989-413-8178 or Tom Denig 517-879-8810.