GRAND RAPIDS,Mich. — This Independence Day marks a monumental achievement for 60 West Michigan residents who will be sworn in as U.S. citizens at the third annual Amway Fourth of July Family Fireworks celebration.
The naturalization ceremony will take place Thursday, July 4, preceding the family entertainment and live music at 6:00 p.m. at Ah-Nab-Awen Park, 303 Pearl St., NW, in downtown Grand Rapids. According to Ed Kettle, executive director of the annual event, the naturalization ceremony makes this year’s event even more special. “The Fourth of July is our nation’s birthday; nothing is more powerful than celebrating with 60 people who are becoming new American citizens to remind us what the day is really about,” he said.
After the ceremony concludes, these new U.S. citizens will register to vote and apply for their passports at the nearby Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum.
Schedule of events :
- The Fourth of July Parade will start at 5 p.m. in downtown Grand Rapids at Monroe and Lyon. The route continues south on Monroe to Louis, Louis to Ionia, Ionia to Monroe Center and concludes at Rosa Parks Circle.
- Following the parade, the naturalization ceremony, family entertainment and live music starts at 6 p.m. across the Grand River, at Ah-Nab-Awen Park, 303 Pearl St. NW.
- The entertainment includes Kris Hitchcock & Small Town Son, Blue Molly, The Daredevil Circus Company, Three’s a Crowd and Ultraviolet Hippopotamus.
All activities are free and open to the public.