American 250 Hometown Block Party
In honor of our nation’s 250th birthday, organizers are planning a two-evening Fourth of July celebration in the community of Petoskey. Festivities include a new America 250 Hometown Block Party on Friday, July 3, from 5–8 p.m. in Pennsylvania Park, followed by the community’s traditional Fourth of July celebration on Saturday, July 4, which begins with the parade at 6 p.m., following a street concert by the Petoskey Steel Drum Band, live entertainment at the waterfront, and spectacular fireworks over Little Traverse Bay.
“This is just too big to do it in one night,” said Carlin Smith, Chair of the Fourth of July STAFF, a committee of Sunrise Rotary of Petoskey. Sunrise Rotary is the lead organization coordinating the holiday’s festivities. The new America 250 Hometown Block Party is designed to capture the spirit of old-fashioned Fourth of July celebrations of Petoskey’s past. “We really want to capture a neighbor-seeing-neighbor, old-fashioned hometown celebration,” Smith said.
Smith said they collaborated with Renee Tanner of Greenwood Cemetery who researched historical newspaper articles to learn how the town traditionally observed Independence Day. Events will include a community picnic, live music, street performers, and fun family activities. While details are still being finalized for the Hometown Block Party the committee has worked to put together a fun, family-friendly, community celebration.
Michelle Horn of the Crooked Tree Arts Center leads the Hometown Block Party subcommittee. “This is planned as a one-time event to acknowledge our nation’s semi-quincentennial (250),” Horn said. “We felt we couldn’t let this milestone for our country pass by without doing something a little special,” she added.
Community organizations are invited to be a part of the America 250 Hometown Block Party. Horn encourages clubs, businesses, churches and non-profit organizations to come and assist with some of the events or bring their own ideas for a fun activity. To be a part of the event, reach out to Horn at michelle@crookedtree.org.
Fundraising is underway to support all Petoskey Fourth of July festivities. Smith said the Fourth of July STAFF enhanced the entertainment budget for 2026, and they have new expenses associated with the Hometown Block Party. “The Fourth of July is very expensive and funded solely through donations, so we need contributions from the community to make this all happen,” Smith said. Donations can be made through the website at www.petoskeyfourth.org or mailed to Sunrise Rotary Charities, P.O. Box 812, Petoskey, MI 49770.
Several local organizations have already stepped forward to support the celebration. Craig Ryan Fine Clothing will once again sponsor the fireworks, and Odawa Casino will serve as the lead sponsor of the Hometown Block Party. Early supporters also include Sunrise Rotary of Petoskey, the Rotary Club of Petoskey, the Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau, Stafford’s Bay View Inn and Perry Hotel, Comfort Keepers, Fletch’s GMC Buick Audi, Bayview Association, Drost Landscaping, NCMC, Dave Kring, Petoskey Downtown Management. and Hueston Family Dentistry.
Together, organizers hope the two-night celebration will give the community an opportunity to gather, celebrate, and honor the nation’s special 250-year milestone.