Independence Day celebrations hosted around the central Upper Peninsula are prepared to commence this week. Gladstone, Escanaba, Bark River, Manistique, Powers, Daggett, and Hermansville all have events scheduled. With the exception of the last three communities, which are in Menominee County and therefore the Central Time Zone, all times given below are Eastern.

GLADSTONE

On Thursday — the fourth itself — Gladstone’s “Stars, Stripes and Salutes” celebration kicks off with the annual firecracker run, hosted by the Gladstone and Rapid River Kiwanis Club, starting at 8 a.m. on Ninth Street and Minneapolis Avenue (across from the State Police post). The parade begins at 11 a.m. and will roll down Delta Avenue, 13th Street, and Lake Shore Drive. The U.S. Log Rolling Open also starts at 11 a.m. in the lagoon in Van Cleve Park. Music at the ballfield bandstand and festivities in the park will be ongoing from noon, and the fireworks display from the Gladstone Pier will be at dusk.

ESCANABA

On Thursday, the Escanaba Yacht Club will host a “star-spangled breakfast” from 9 a.m. to noon at the clubhouse, located across from Sand Point lighthouse. The public is encouraged to attend, socialize and enjoy the waterfront setting. The meal is free to children 10 and under and $10 for others.

On Friday, a “Patriotic Polka Party in the Park” comes to Esky for the first time. A polka band from Wisconsin, The Mix, will set the scene for music and dancing at 6 p.m. around the Karas Bandshell in Ludington Park. Food and refreshments will also be available.

The main Independence Day celebration for the City of Escanaba will be on Saturday, July 6, with the 13th as a rain date. Centered around Ludington Park, a car show begins at 11 a.m., food vendors will be on scene from 11 a.m., Jaws of Life and K-9 demonstrations will be done at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., and live music performs at the bandshell from 7 p.m. Fireworks take place at dusk.

BARK RIVER

Bark River is celebrating on July 4, beginning with a parade at 11 a.m. Food and refreshments served by the Lions Clubs will be offered at the Bark River Sports Complex beginning at noon. The traditional Bark River-Harris softball game is again part of the day’s events, as are a pie and ice cream social, an obstacle course and bounce house for children, music by the Peltier Brothers, a fire department display and more.

MANISTIQUE

On Friday, July 5, the annual kiddie parade begins at 6 p.m. from the Post Office on Cedar Street. The following day, Saturday, Manistique’s big parade — themed “Blast from the Past” — starts at 12:30. Ensuing activities will be accompanied by vendors of food and crafts. The celebration of the 6th concludes with fireworks.

POWERS-SPALDING

Fourth of July morning brings a parade to the Powers-Spalding community at 10:30 a.m. CDT. Events at Veterans Park begin at noon and include truck pulls, kids’ games, a children’s fishing derby, a bounce house and live music.

HERMANSVILLE

On Saturday the 6th, the Hermansville parade launches a full day of activities. Kids start at 9:45 a.m. CDT, and the main parade begins at 10 a.m. CDT. In the park, food, beverages, live music, and other festivities sponsored by the William Anderson Sportsman’s Club will be between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. CDT. The annual mud runs — truck racing — begin at noon. The Rusty Nuts Car Club accepts registrations for its car and bike show between 8 a.m. and noon and holds the trophy presentation at 3 p.m. CDT. The Thomas St. Onge VVA Museum and the IXL Museum will be open during the day. Hermansville’s fireworks are at dusk on Saturday.

DAGGETT

On Friday, the Old Timers baseball game will be held in the evening at Three Angels Field along with a 50-50 raffle. While the band Rapid Transit performs, the annual street dance on the boulevard will also be Friday night as the Boulevard Bar on Railway Avenue serves refreshments.

On Saturday the 6th, the Daggett parade begins at 11 a.m. CDT. Games, a petting zoo, food trucks and music will be around the boulevard from 12:30 p.m. CDT. Duck races begin at 4 p.m. CDT. Fireworks shoot off shortly after dusk.