Several events throughout mid-Michigan are set up for Saturday’s July 4 festivities.

In Clare, the city’s annual “Summer Fest” begins Thursday at Shamrock Park, 221 Wilcox Parkway, and continues until Saturday. Fireworks, concerts, airport plane rides and a free picnic are some of the events featured, Jennifer Heinzman, the city chamber of commerce manager, said. A city wide, weekend garage sale and a kids carnival are also happening, she said.

“We have about 45 (garage sales) already signed up,” she said.

Three concerts will continue into the night, Heinzman said. Three area gospel choirs will perform at 6 p.m., the Gateway Community Band will perform at 8 p.m., and Art Council’s Teens Acting Up will perform a play at 9 p.m.

Heinzman said money isn’t a necessity for the event.

“The whole night is free,” she said.

A fireworks show will kick off at 10 p.m. on Friday following the concerts. This is the 25th year for the city’s “Summer Fest,” Heinzman said.

In Mount Pleasant, the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort, 6800 Soaring Eagle Blvd., is hosting a weekend’s worth of festivities entitled “Red Hot, White and Blue.” On Friday, the Marshall Tucker Band and The Outlaws will perform, beginning at 8 p.m. at a new venue on the west side of the casino.

Friday fireworks will begin at dusk and are free for the community. ‘Kaptain’ Robbie Knievel and Spanky Spangler will perform their trademark daredevil stunts beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday.

A three-day carnival will also occurs from noon to 11 p.m. daily at the casino.

Traditional Native American dance classes will also be offered at the Ziibiwing Center, 6650 E. Broadway St., at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. This event is open to the public, and will be offered every Saturday this month.

In Weidman, Coldwater Lake Family Park, 1703 N. Littlefield Road, will host a July 4 bike parade beginning at 1 p.m. The event will begin with bike decorating, follow with a bike parade and close with a water balloon toss. Daily parking for the park is available for $5.

Along with many businesses adapting holiday hours and closures for the weekend, the Michigan Secretary of State’s office will also be closed on July 3, July 4 and July 6. The closure on Monday is in accordance with a state-mandated employee furlough day.

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E-mail the author: Hilary Farrell