Beaver Island
Chamber of Commerce

P.O. Box 5
Beaver Island, MI 49782
231 - 448 - 2505

Transportation Accommodations Restaurants Recreation Camping Health Care Shops & Stores Real Estate Financial Services & Insurance Builders & Suppliers Professional Services Publications, Printing, Advertising Public Services Questions?   Other Island Links Take a scenic Tour of Beaver Island Learn about Island History Get a Beaver Island Map   Beaver Island Tour Calendar of Events Other Points of Interest   Contact the Chamber of Commerce - Ask Us Questions

UPDATE: The Chamber of Commerce can confirm a July 4th flyover by two F-16 jets from the 107th Squadron of the Michigan Air National Guard. The flight will come from the direction of Cross Village between 2:10 and 2:15.

The parade will start right after the jets depart.

Island Airways will follow with a missing man formation flyover.
 
The fighter jets will turn north of the island and fly over a second time heading south returning to Selfridge Air base. The flight commander has advised Chamber of Commerce Director Steve West that they will do a high performance climb on the departure pass if they have sufficient fuel. A lightly loaded F-16 is capable of a vertical climb from 1000 feet to out of sight in just a few seconds.
 

"America's Freedom is Forever Precious" was selected as the theme for this year's parade.

Floats, marching groups, and all those riding in the parade should be lined up ready to go no later than 1:30 pm, beginning in front of the Emerald Isle Hotel on Friday July 4th.

The parade will begin at 2:00 pm.

Prior to the parade, the Beaver Island Community Choir will be singing patriotic songs downtown starting at 1:30 pm.  During the parade, Island Airways aircraft will perform a missing man formation flyover. This year's plans also include Lisa Gillespie acting as emcee and providing the crowd with commentary about each marching unit or float.

Don't forget to check in with parade Marshal Lisa Gillespie to provide information about your float or marching unit.

An even bigger bang than last year is in store for the crowd when John Works Jr. fires his Civil War cannon. The Chamber of Commerce board voted to help defray some of the black powder costs. According to Works, the result will be "more and louder!"

The carnival will follow the parade and fireworks over the harbor will be held at dusk.

If you have any questions about the 4th of July Parade, Carnival, or Fireworks, contact Lisa Gillespie at (231) 448-2235 or the Chamber of Commerce office at (231) 448-2505 or email us: chamber@beaverisland.org