Celebrate the Fourth of July with concerts, parades, fireworks and more

Looking for family-friendly activities this holiday season? Enjoy a concert, play some games, eat lots of food, run a race, watch a parade and, of course, end your Independence Day celebration with fireworks. Holiday events in the South Bend region include:

INDIANA

• Culver — Enjoy fireworks over Lake Maxinkuckee from 10 to 10:30 p.m. July 6. Fireworks are visible from any shore on the lake or from a boat.

• Elkhart — Elkhart’s Independence Day Celebration featuring Unfinished Business and The Incredible Johnsons will starts at 5 p.m. July 5 at the Central Green stage, 300 S. Main St. Purchase dinner from a food truck, dance to the bands and cap the night off at 10 p.m. with a fireworks display. Bring lawn chairs or blankets to this free event.

• Elkhart — Ruthmere is a participant in the Blue Star Museum program and will offer free admission to all active-duty service men and women and their families on July 3. Each visitor will receive a free flag with tour. Ruthmere is at 302 E. Beardsley Ave. Tours are on the hour at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets: $10-$4 (ages 4 and younger, free); www.Ruthmere.org.

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• Goshen — Celebrate July 4 with Fairview Grange 2177, 22482 County Road 45, from 4 p.m. to dusk. Live music, DJ, food and fireworks. Cost: adults, $15; children (ages 5 to 12), $8; children 4 and under, free. Inside cooling station and restroom facilities available. Bring your own chairs or blankets. Proceeds benefit the construction of a new stage onsite.

• Knox — The Family Fun Day and Fireworks Show will be held July 6. The parade will begin at 1 p.m., gates at Wythogan Park, 101 W. Washington St., will open at 2 p.m. with fireworks at 9:30 p.m. (all times are Central). Fun activities for the whole family with games, activities, food, music featuring Half Track from 6 to 9 p.m., and a beer garden.

• Lakeville — The 4th of July parade will begin at 10 a.m. July 4. Enjoy the fun on Michigan Street in downtown Lakeville.

• Lakeville — Newton Park 4th of July Celebration on July 4, 801 N. Michigan St. Gates open at 6 p.m. with a free concert by Cook & Belle. End the evening with fireworks around 10 p.m. No smoking, alcohol, coolers or pets allowed. Activities include food trucks, activity area for kids and adults, interactive sports games, and an inflatable obstacle course. Purchase an American Flag for $5 to place around the perimeter of the park. Flags may be purchased online at newtonpark.org or at one of the park’s concession stands. Purchase by June 30 and be entered to win a Family Event Package.

• LaPorte — Red Wine and Brew Local Heroes Benefit Concert, June 28 to June 30 at The Summit, 2110 N. 500 West. This annual benefit supports and recognizes first responders and features country musicians, beer and wine tasting, a kid’s fun zone, food, and more. Tickets are general admission $60-$30 and can be purchased online at redwineandbrewfest.com/entertainment. Headliners include Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry on Friday; The Cadillac Three on Saturday; and Craig Morgan on Sunday.

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• LaPorte — The LaPorte Independence Celebration Fireworks Show will be held at dusk on July 3 over Clear Lake. Prior to the fireworks, the LaPorte City Band performs a patriotic concert at 7 p.m. CDT at Dennis F. Smith Amphitheater in Fox Memorial Park on Truesdell Avenue.

• LaPorte — Run for Riley 5K Run/Walk, held by the Kiwanis Club of LaPorte, will be July 4 before the parade. Registration will begin at 7 a.m. CDT with the race starting at 8:30 a.m. CDT. The route begins and ends in the Dollar Store parking lot at the intersection of Andrew Avenue and Indiana 2. Register online by July 3 at: runsignup.com/Race/IN/LaPorte/KiwanisRunforRiley. The cost is $30. All net proceeds go to Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis.

• LaPorte — The 78th Annual LaPorte 4th of July Parade, hosted by The Kiwanis Club of LaPorte, will begin at 10 a.m. CDT July 4. The parade route runs approximately two miles from east to west along Lincolnway. The theme this year is “Hoosiers — Calling You Home.”

• Michigan City — Patriotic Parade on June 29. A traditional march down Franklin Street from Tenth Street to Ames Field. The parade begins at 11 a.m. CDT, and this year’s theme is “Proud to be an American.”

• Mishawaka — Annual Independence Day Celebration at 3 p.m. June 29 at Central Park, 235 E. Mishawaka Ave. Live music, kid’s games and activities, food, vendors, arts and crafts, and fireworks at dusk.

• Mishawaka — South Bend-Elkhart Audubon Society Wildlife Sanctuary, 59395 Clover Road, will hold an Independence Day Pancake Breakfast from 7:30 to 10 a.m. July 4. Enjoy all-you-can-eat buttermilk pancakes plain or with blueberries or pecans, coffee, water, tea, or milk. Please bring your own table service (plate, cup, cutlery). This event is free, but donations are welcome to help cover costs and upkeep of the Sanctuary.

• New Paris — Head out to the New Paris Speedway, 16806 County Road 46, for a “Night of Destruction-Celebration of Independence and Fireworks” on July 3. Pits and gates open at 2 p.m., and racing starts at 6 p.m. Tickets: adults, $15; children (ages 6-12), $5; children (5 and under), free. Pit passes: $30.

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• North Liberty — “North Liberty Americana” parade at 2 p.m. July 4 in downtown. At 5 p.m. the celebration continues at North Liberty Elementary School with games, food and a DJ. Bring lawn chairs or blankets and watch the fireworks at dusk.

• Shipshewana — Shipshewana Flea Market has an extended holiday market schedule from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 2–4. The flea market is open rain or shine and is located at 345 S. Van Buren St. There are food courts, a sit-down restaurant and rest areas throughout the market. General parking is $5 per vehicle.

• South Bend — The South Bend Symphony Orchestra celebrates our country’s independence with the Shein Trust Community Series “Salute to Freedom” concert at 7:30 p.m. July 3 at the Morris Performing Arts Center, 211 N. Michigan St. Featured soloist is South Bend’s Danny Lerman. This family-friendly concert is free, but registration is required at southbendsymphony.org/events/salute-to-freedom/.

• South Bend — Celebrate July 2 and 3 at Four Winds Field, 501 W. South St., watching the Cubs play the Peoria Chiefs at 7:05 p.m. on July 2 with post-game fireworks. The game begins at 5:45 p.m. on July 3 and will include a post-game concert by Seventh Day Slumber and fireworks. Tickets: $17-$15.

• South Bend — The History Museum, 897 Thomas St., offers free admission to U.S. military personnel and their families from May 19 to Sept. 2, 2024, as part of the Blue Star Museums program. A military ID is required. The museum is open on July 4. Admission to the museum includes visits to all exhibits and guided tours of the Oliver Mansion. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.

• Syracuse — “Ask Ben Franklin: In His Own Words,” part of Chautauqua’s Patriotic Speaker Series, will feature professional actor Barry Stevens as Benjamin Franklin. Attendees should come with questions to “Ask Ben,” which allows Stevens to share historical information and anecdotes. The performance is from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. June 30 at the Wawasee High School auditorium, 1 Warrior Path. The program is free to attend.

• Syracuse — Patriotic Pops at Oakwood Resort featuring the Fort Wayne Philharmonic will be held from 7:30 to 9 p.m. June 30, on the Oakwood Resort lawn, 702 E. Lake View Road. This concert is free. Bring a chair or blanket, or anchor your boat near the beach.

• Syracuse — Lake Wawasee Fireworks at 10:15 p.m. July 6. Fireworks from the center of the lake, viewable from the shoreline or from a boat. Tune to Willie 103.5 FM for synchronized music.

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• Winamac — An Evening at the Bridge will be from 5:30 to 10 p.m. July 3 at Veterans’ Memorial Park at the corner of U.S. Highway 35 and Washington. There will be a burial and dedication of the vault and marker that will enshrine the 100-year history of Memorial Swing Bridge. Bring lawn chairs, a picnic, drinks of your choice and relax. Music by Hidden In Plain Sight. Desserts available from The Mobile Sweet Tooth.

• Winona Lake — The village will host a free, family-friendly Independence Day celebration on June 29. Festivities start at 8 p.m. with the Symphony of the Lakes concert “Salute to America” at the Miller Sunset Pavilion, 705 Park Ave. and conclude at 10 p.m. with fireworks over Winona Lake. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Check out local shops and eateries while you wait.

MICHIGAN

• Baroda — The Beer Garden at the Public House, 9151 First St., will celebrate America’s birthday from 5 to 10:30 p.m. with music, drinks, classic BBQ food and more at the annual Baroda Fireworks celebration on July 3. Must be 21 or older; $5 cover charge. No pets.

• Baroda — The American Legion Post 345, 9214 First St., will celebrate Independence Day from 7 to 11 p.m. July 3 with activities, drinks, live music from Dart Board Compromise and fireworks. No cover charge. Must be 21+ with valid ID to drink.

• Berrien Springs — July 4 Pickle Festival on the grounds of the History Center at Courthouse Square, 313 N. Cass St. Enjoy a pickle tasting room, games, a pickle fling, pickle decorating contest, dunk tank, vendors and more. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Cassopolis — Diamond Lake Fireworks, 10 p.m. July 6 (wind/rain delay date will be July 13).

• Dowagiac — Dowagiac Connected will launch the annual fireworks show from 9:30 to 11 p.m. June 28 at Dowagiac Municipal Airport, with public viewing from Russom Park and surrounding areas. Bring blankets and chairs to enjoy this free family event.

• New Buffalo — Independence Day fireworks over Lake Michigan from 10 to 11 p.m. July 3 in Lions Park, 612 Marquette Drive.

• Niles — Fireworks will begin at dusk, July 4, at the Apple Festival Grounds, 1740 Lake St. Rain date is July 5.

• St. Joseph — Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra will present its annual Independence Day Concert and firework display on July 3 at Shadowland Pavilion, Silver Beach County Park, 101 Broad St. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Concessions available (cash only). No food or drink may be brought into the park. Gates open at 7:30 p.m., performance at 8:30 p.m. Purchase tickets at smso.org. Cost: $40-$10.

• St. Joseph — Independence Day fireworks will launch from the south pier on Silver Beach, 700 Broad St. at 10 p.m. July 3. Portions of Silver Beach, Tiscornia Beach, and north and south piers will be closed.

• Watervliet — Watervliet will celebrate the holiday with a festival from July 5 to July 7. There will be a carnival, parades, tractor pulls, pancake breakfasts, car show, a splash zone, steak fry, Mudd Run, music and more. For more information, go to swmichigan.org/events or Facebook.com and search Watervliet Business Association.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Where to celebrate the Fourth of July across South Bend region