Fireworks, food trucks and live music in Grand Rapids, MI for July 4th celebration

Grand Rapids, Mich. (APN) — The fourth of July will be lit all across west Michigan.

Cities and towns from areas like Ada and downtown Grand Rapids are holding their very own fireworks celebrations.

“We are excited. We have the Grand Rapids fireworks presented by Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort and that will start at 6 p.m. at Ah-Nab-Awen Park and we'll start out with the national anthem," Russ Hines, CEO of Riverbank Events and Media, said.

"And then at 7 o'clock a great local band, Hank and the Hawk Tones, will be playing and then at 8:15 p.m. the Green Bridge band will be playing.”

Hines added that the fireworks will start right at 10:30 p.m. Saturday night.

“So everybody can enjoy their local community fireworks, whether you live in Hudsonville, Caledonia, Rockford, or wherever it may be," Hines said.

"(It) just gives everybody a chance to come downtown and take advantage of the big show in downtown Grand Rapids and hopefully visit the restaurants downtown, take advantage of the shops that are open, and visit some of the museums.”

The downtown Grand Rapids Fourth of July festivities are family-friendly.

The social district will be closed. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited, no dangerous weapons or pets will be allowed, also to help everyone feel welcome and comfortable.

“We welcome everyone to get as close as they possibly can to the downtown area to be able to see the fireworks," Hines said.

"We will close both the Pearl Street bridge and the Michigan Street bridge at approximately 8:15 a.m. or 8:30 a.m. (or) something like that, so that folks can start using those, as people use those areas as well. The Blue Bridge is available, 6th Street Park is available (and) obviously, Ah-Nab-Awen Park is there.”

A quick note to keep in mind for the drive into Grand Rapids: the north part of the Pearl Street bridge is closed for construction.

People are encouraged to bring water, a small cooler and anything else they may need, but it will be subject to searches by security or the Grand Rapids Police Department.

People are encouraged to come hungry as food trucks will be on site.

"I have three or four different food trucks down there and there will be a variety of different foods there, of course, you know the common elephant ears, pizza slices, ice cream and things like that, but there will be lots of different choices there.”

It is all made possible by several community partners.

"Number one is Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort and the fire department; this event could not happen without them,” Hines said.

The Grand Rapids 4th of July Independence Day Celebration is also supposed to have a special guest at around 10:45 p.m.