Gregory Fourth of July: The little town that makes a big splash
by Mary Jo David
Every year the little town of Gregory pulls out all the stops for its Fourth of July celebration. This year, for its 48th official celebration, onlookers came from far and near to take in the local parade. Two of the onlookers stopped to view the parade while passing through on their Lake-to-Lake Trail bicycle trek from South Haven to Port Huron! This year’s Parade Grand Marshals were Gregory’s Bob and Teresa Wallo and their son Greg. Following along in the parade were kids on decorated bikes, a Brownie troop, Stockbridge Softball, 30+ tractors of all shapes and sizes, vintage cars, just plain “cool” cars, the Mount Rockmore Band, and area emergency vehicles—to name a few.
The parade is really just the start. During and after, attendees support the Unadilla Township Fire Department buying hot dogs and other refreshments, including a bake sale. Throughout the entire day, and in the evening leading up to the fireworks, crowds assemble over at the local playground across from the Unadilla Township Hall and in the ballfield where activities and refreshment trucks are set up.
The Gregory Fourth of July Committee sponsors activities all year long, including on the day of the event, to raise money to help pay for the festivities. Boyer the Magic Guy entertained the kids and sent many off with balloon animals. And this year, the Stockbridge Community Schools Support Staff joined in the day’s fun by sponsoring rock painting and a watermelon-eating contest for the kids.
Later in the day, as cars assembled in the ballfield in anticipation of the celebratory fireworks, the playground continued to fill up with little ones enjoying the new playscape. Others were content to mingle with one another and enjoy some rock ‘n’ roll complements of the Leaky Tiki Band under the big tent. When the fireworks ended, attendees headed home; some after spending the whole day in Gregory, enjoying their time in a little town that made a big splash!
Click the links below to take a look at some of the highlights—in pictures—from this year’s celebration:
Beyond the Parade: Other Fourth of July Highlights in Gregory
Photos by Mary Jo David
Mary Jo David
Mary Jo David is a longtime writer and editor who moved to Gregory in 2018. She and her husband, Gary Hicks, are enjoying life in the country, including the Stockbridge Community News.