Various Fourth of July activities will occur the next two weekends throughout Kosciusko County.
Winona Lake will kick off all Fourth festivities Saturday at the Winona Lake Park.
Registration for the annual Firecracker 5K will begin at 7 a.m. with the race following at 8 a.m. The “Let’s Go To The Hop” themed parade registration and line up will start at 11:15 a.m., and the parade begins at noon. Following the parade will be awards at approximately 12:45 p.m. at the center stage.
The Cutie Contest registration for children ages 4-6 will start at 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., with private interviews going on from 1 to 3 p.m. Awards will be given at 4 p.m. Car Show registration will begin at 1 p.m. and lasts until 3 p.m. with awards presented at 4:15 p.m. Door prizes will also be given out. Free blow-up activities will be available from 1 to 5 p.m., as well as a live disc jockey at the same times on the main stage. Throughout the day food vendors, craft kits and games will be available. Fireworks begin at dusk over the lake.
Manchester University will have its fireworks presentation July 4th at the university’s athletic grounds at 10 p.m. The Manchester Civic Band will open the evening, and after 9 p.m. patriotic readings will be shared by community members.
The North Manchester Rotary will serve $1 hot dogs, popcorn, peanuts, water and soda throughout the evening to benefit local community projects and reading programs. For the safety of guests, sparklers and personal fireworks will not be permitted. The rain date for this event is July 5 at the same place and time.
Syracuse will host its Summerfest July 7. A 5K run will start the day with registration at 8:30 a.m. at the old Arthur's building across from Dairy Queen. A “Celebration” parade will begin at 10 a.m. on Main Street in downtown Syracuse. Following the parade, a festival will begin at 11 a.m. located on the corner of Ind. 13 and Chicago Street.
The festival includes an art fair, food vendors, 3-on-3 basketball, a dunk tank, bouncy house face painting, corn hole and more until 7 p.m.
At 12:30 p.m Pedal Cart races will be held at MutualBank of Syracuse. The “Big Bang Boom” fireworks show will be held on Lake Wawasee at dark. Fireworks can be seen from the public boat launch area on the east side of the lake.
North Webster will have its fireworks display July 7 on Epworth Forest Island. Spectators can watch the event from the park, the grassy area by the Beach House on Wesley Drive in Epworth Forest, or by boat. The rain date for the fireworks is July 8.
Tippecanoe Lake will hold its fireworks at 10:30 p.m. July 7. Fireworks can be enjoyed around the lake or by boat.
Chapman Lake's fireworks begin over the lake at dusk July 7.
Lastly, Dewart Lake will have its fireworks display July 7 at dusk.
