Watersmeet celebrates July 4 with full roster of fun for kids and adults

By DAMIIAN LANG

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Watersmeet TOWNSHIP — The fireworks began early in Watersmeet, scheduled on June 29, well in advance of the July 4 holiday.

And the full-scale celebration did not occur until July 5, but it did not disappoint, starting with a vibrant bike and pet parade along the main street.

As a children’s parade, it included kids of all ages, from one through teen-age years.

Lucy Sypor, 6, of Watersmeet, was raring to go while she sat in her little, purple car with her mom, Amanda, providing encouragement.

Asked how she felt about being in the parade, Lucy replied with a definitive “Good!”

Standing out in the middle of the parade group was a golf cart decked out in an array of many colors. In the driver’s seat was Tyson Klingman, 19. Next to him was Brayden Cornelius, 13, with Romeo Poler, 14, in the back and Jaxsun White, 11, standing alongside the rig. This crew, all from Watersmeet, represented the more mature members of the Children’s Parade.

After the children’s parade, and before the main parade, several people spoke with The Globe.

“Almost my entire family is military,” said Casey Anderson of Bruce Crossing. “It means everything. They’ve done so much to have our backs.”

Teresa Pittsley, a 15-year member of Watersmeet’s First Responder’s unit, was volunteering with the rest of her crew directing traffic and providing safety.

“It’s lovely,” she said of the event. “People from out of town come. It gets people together, and we have fun.”

The main parade kicked into gear under sunny skies and was a sweet sight, filled with all the expectations of Americana, from pretty floats to tractors.

Afterward, the crowd walked maybe 150 feet to the Lac Vieux Desert Plaza pavilion for the picnic.

A large blue and white tent provided shade and good company for corn on the cob dipped in butter and/ or burgers, brats, hot dogs and more.

Included in the fun were potato sack races, a sidewalk bowling alley, tons of treats, live music, and an overall feeling of a fun-loving community.

One large table of baked goods provided funding for the local volleyball team. Another table was funding a sibling team in the mixed martial arts sport of Pankration to attend a global competition in Romania.

The Watersmeet July 4 Committee organized the activities.