Tag Archives: 4th of July

City of Kentwood vehicles big and small to ‘parade’ through the city on July 4

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Many residents were colorful in their appreciation of a parade of trucks in late May. (City of Kentwood)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood announced to WKTV this week that a dozen or so city vehicles will parade throughout the community on Saturday, July 4, as a way “to celebrate Independence Day safely in lieu of its traditional celebration activities this year.”

The city did much the same as a truck tour last month in celebration of national Public Works Week. See a WKTV video of the event here.

The July 4 parade will begin at 9 a.m. on the western border of the city, near the intersection of Division Avenue and Maplelawn Street, and travel toward the eastern border the city, ending about 11 a.m. near the intersection of Burton Street and Forest Meadows Court.

A small scale map if at the bottom of this story. The full parade route and tentative timeline is available online at kentwood.us/july4. The timeline is tentative as the parading vehicles will be traveling at a faster speed on main roads and at a slower speed on residential roads, according to the city’s webpage on the event.

Residents are invited to watch the parade from the nearest street to their home on the parade route but, according to the city statement, to practice physical distancing from others when they do so.

“The City of Kentwood is pleased to be able to offer a safe, alternate way of engaging with our community on the Fourth of July,” Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley said in supplied material. “It is our hope to inspire joy and celebration for America’s independence by bringing the traditional parade to residents throughout the Kentwood community.”

In early June, the City of Kentwood decided to join other communities in canceling this year’s annual July 4 celebration.

“Due to the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and restrictions on large group gatherings, the City Commission voted against hosting the event this summer out of an abundance of caution,” according to the city statement.

The fireworks show planned for July 4 has been postponed to the Kentwood Food Truck Festival this fall.

Fido and Fifi are NOT amused — how to keep your pets safe over the 4th of July

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By WKTV Staff

 

Have a dog or few? If so, you may be dreading the impending fireworks. By now, you’ve probably already gotten a taste of how your pet reacts to loud noises — neighborhood kids like to set off fireworks a few days early.

 

Tales of dogs escaping yards abound — just ask your local Humane Society. And veterinarians say that July 3rd is usually the most trafficked day in their offices, with clients coming in to get drugs for their dogs.

 

Fireworks displays are an inevitability, but there are some things you can do to help keep your pup calm. Here are some tips for surviving the loud booms.

  • Exercise your dog earlier in the day to release pent-up energy.
  • Keep your canine indoors during fireworks and keep him company, if possible. Run the air conditioner to keep him cool.
  • Don’t take your dog with you to a fireworks display. (That’s just nuts.)
  • Make sure your dog has a safe place inside to retreat to. Dogs often feel safer in small, enclosed places if they’re scared of loud sounds. Consider crating your pup, if he’s comfortable there. Covering the crate will help.
  • Keep windows and curtains closed, if possible. Removing visual stimulation can really help.
  • Ensure that your dog wears ID tags with a collar that fits properly. That way, if he somehow escapes, there is a better chance that he’ll be returned to you.
  • Leave Fido a frozen Kong toy filled with his favorite morsels. It’s a good distraction.

For more tips, go here.

 

And take heart. It will all be over soon. (Until next year…)

 

City of Kentwood plans full day of Fourth of July celebrations

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Parades are big thing in Kentwood, so there will be one on July 4th. (WKTV)

By City of Kentwood

 

All are invited to join the City of Kentwood’s annual Fourth of July Celebration for a full day of activities, including a pancake breakfast, a 5K race and a parade, followed by an evening complete with carnival rides, games and fireworks at Crestwood Middle School.

 

“Our Fourth of July celebration offers a variety of activities for the entire family to enjoy,” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley. “We welcome our friends and neighbors to celebrate our nation’s independence with us.”

 

The pancake breakfast will be held at the Kent District Library Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch community room, located at 4950 Breton Road SE, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The $5 breakfast will include pancakes and sausage.

 

Beginning at 7:30 a.m., racers of all ages will gather at Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Road SE, for registration for the NN Mobile Solutions 5K Race & Fun Walk. The race will begin 8:30 a.m., with the start and finish line on Walma Avenue SE near City Hall.

 

Following the race will be the annual parade at 9:30 a.m. The parade route will start at Crestwood Middle School, 2674 44th St. SE, then travel south on Walma Avenue SE to Breton Road SE, turn west on 52nd Street SE and end at Challenger Elementary School.

 

The evening celebration at Crestwood Middle School will begin at 6 p.m. and feature carnival rides, giant inflatables, food vendors and food trucks. Sweet J Band will perform blues, rock and soul music leading up to the fireworks show that will begin at dusk.

 

Kentwood Parks and Recreation is seeking volunteers for the Fourth of July Celebration. Those interested are encouraged to visit kentwood.us/parks or call 616.656.5270 to sign up.

 

More information about Independence Day activities in Kentwood can be found online at kentwood.us/parks.

 

Hoist the Stars and Stripes! — and be sure to follow flag etiquette

Citizen Journalism, How-To's, , , ,

 

By Kelly Taylor, WKTV

 

Old Glory is displayed practically everywhere on Independence Day, but did you know one cannot simply hoist up the flag? There’s a certain way to do it, and there many, many rules to follow.

 

We thus take this occasion to review the rules of displaying the United States flag, under Chapter 1 of U.S. Code: Title 4 — Flag and Seal, Seat of Government, and the States. As with any U.S. Code, things can get mighty confusing, so we’ve abridged the rules here, in no particular order:

  • The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
  • It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
  • When flown at half-staff, the flag should first be hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position.
  • When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the field of stars should be in the uppermost corner and to the observer’s left.
  • No other flag or pennant should be placed above or, if on the same level, to the right of the flag of the United States of America.
  • The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all-weather flag is used.
  • When displayed on an automobile, the staff should be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender.
  • The flag should never be used as clothing, bedding or drapery.
  • The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.
  • The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled or damaged.
  • The flag should never be displayed with the field of stars down, except as a distress signal.
  • The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor or water.
  • The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.

Fun fact:

The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, a lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.

 

If you’d like to see a cool, historical progression of flag designs over the years, go here.