Fourth of July parade

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Celebrate family fun on the Fourth of July

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The joy commences when the parade lines up at 10:30 am in the historic maritime village of Glen Haven; it builds along M-109 as children shout and wave, and it crescendos when the force of floats, classic cars, boats on trailers, and fire trucks arrive shortly after noon to delight the throngs of thousands gathered along the roadside in downtown Glen Arbor. Following the vehicles on foot is a Leelanau County version of a New Orleans Second Line Parade: a trumpeter, a kazoo corps, kids tossing newspapers, Elvis impersonators, environmental nonprofit volunteers, and activists whose handmade signs and electioneering messages remind us that the Fourth of July most certainly is a political holiday—an anniversary of a subversive, dangerous, and revolutionary act that shook the world—and whose founding document boasts a core message that seems more relevant today than ever. This year’s honorary grand marshal is Carol Worsley, a celebrated chef and owner of the Thyme Inn bed and breakfast who has lived at least of part of the year in Glen Arbor for more than 60 years. As per tradition, Worsley will ride in a convertible at the front of the parade.

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Glen Arbor prepares for Fourth of July festivities

Cherries are still delicious, Lake Michigan is still wet, Ulysses S. Grant is still buried in Grant’s Tomb, and the Glen Arbor Fourth of July parade is still happening on—you guessed it—the Fourth. That’s despite an erroneous post on the Glen Arbor Township’s Facebook page, and a false local media report, which assigned the Fourth of July parade to July 2. Nope, it’s still on the Fourth. Here’s the lineup of what other events are scheduled for Independence Day weekend in Glen Arbor and around Leelanau County.

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When ‘Anything Goes’ dries up

“Over the past 62 years, Glen Arbor’s Fourth of July parade has become well-known for its ‘anything goes’ spirit. This approach is a point of local pride for many, encouraging the patriotic participation that has transformed a small-town procession into a northern Michigan tradition unlike any other,” writes Trace St. Julian in this op-ed for the Sun. “However, in 2023, the Glen Arbor Township Board broke away from the ‘anything goes’ tradition, announcing a ‘no water’ rule that bans long-time parade hallmarks of ‘water guns, blasters, balloons, bottles, or other water items.’ Fast forward to 2025—the water ban is still in effect, and the Township Board appears more determined than ever to enforce it.”

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Keeping tradition: Ricker’s black Cadillac leads Glen Arbor Fourth of July Parade

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Ed Ricker has driven the grand marshal in Glen Arbor’s Fourth of July parade in his iconic 1976 black Cadillac for decades. This year, Glen Arbor Township has bestowed the honor of grand marshal on Ricker, himself. The owner of Glen Lodge, pride of Miami University (Ohio) and longtime fixture at Art’s Tavern, passed away under tragic circumstances last November. Ricker was 95. Former Art’s owner Tim Barr will drive the Cadillac; Ricker’s daughter, Glen Lake Chamber president Darci will ride next to him.

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Photographing the Glen Arbor Fourth of July parade

St. Louis, Missouri, resident Jacob Kurtz shared his photographs taken in Glen Haven, where the 2024 Fourth of July parade lined up before departing for Glen Arbor.

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Staying cool in Cherry Republic’s Fourth of July Parade bear suit

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Connor Ciolek considers it an honor to wear Cherry Republic’s “Boomer” bear costume in the Glen Arbor Fourth of July parade, which gathers in Glen Haven in the morning and departs for downtown around noon. The company’s mascot has been a mainstay in his life; he has a vivid memory of Boomer showing up at his older brother Jackson’s fifth birthday. This is the second year in a row Connor has volunteered to dress as Boomer for the parade. The job has its trials, though. “It’s very hot. The black costume soaks up all the sun,” said Connor, who has worked at Cherry Republic for eight years. “I wear an ice pack vest on my chest, especially when the parade (temperature) is in the mid-80s like it was last year.”

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Kazoo Corps returns to Glen Arbor Fourth of July parade

Glen Arbor’s celebrated Fourth of July parade—proudly an “anything goes” fete for 60 years—has a few rules and structure now. But not too much will change. In late founder Stan Brubaker’s absence, the Glen Arbor Township will manage the parade, which lines up in Glen Haven and leaves for Glen Arbor at noon. Water guns, cannons and water balloons won’t be allowed this year. “People have complained in the past, and we’re getting rid of things that can hurt little kids or make older people wet. Getting creamed in the head by a water balloon you weren’t expecting is no fun, especially when you’re 75 years old.” Glen Arbor’s iconic citizen kazoo corps returns to the Fourth of July parade this year, following a three-year hiatus prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Snowplows, kazoo corps, kissing Elvises. Anything goes in Glen Arbor’s Fourth of July parade

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“This has to be one of the only Fourth of July parades in America that include a snowplow,” joked the Glen Arbor parade’s unofficial organizer Stan Brubaker. “I called the Leelanau County Road Commission chairman last week and reminded him that we’re looking forward to see the snowplow there. Anything goes in our parade!” True story. Glen Arbor’s parade features antique cars and firetrucks, the Kazoo Corps and Cherry Republic bear, a team of Elvis impersonators, live music played from a flatbed trailer, and local newspapers tossed from a convertible. Anything goes.

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Glen Arbor parade returns

Antique cars, the Leelanau County sheriff and firetrucks will once again roll through downtown Glen Arbor on Independence Day. They’ll be joined by the Kazoo Corps, the Cherry Republic bear, Elvis, kids on bicycles, local newspapers tossed from a convertible, and live music on a flatbed trailer. Art’s owner Tim Barr will patrol the corner of M-22 and Lake Street with his broom to keep candy-seeking children out of the street. Our Fourth of July parade is back!

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Leonard and Sally Thoreson, Glen Arbor’s 4th of July Parade marshals

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This Independence Day, Leonard Thoreson and his wife Sally (Salome) will be the honorary parade marshals in Glen Arbor’s Fourth of July Parade. Come cheer them on. The parade starts at Glen Haven around noon and winds down M-109 and M-22 through the heart of town.

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