Freedom Festival kicks off Friday, celebrates Independence weekend.

LUDINGTON — The Ludington Area Jaycees Freedom Festival kicks off Friday at 6 p.m. with the Children & Pet Parade. The parade will begin at the corner of Ferry and Loomis streets and will proceed east on Loomis, south on William Street and will end at Waterfront Park. There is no entry fee to participate in the parade. The parade will not be rescheduled in the case of inclement weather.

The Freedom Festival Grand Parade will begin at 2 p.m. on July 4. The parade begins at the corner of Ludington Avenue and Madison Street and proceeds west to Lakeshore Drive.

Motorists are reminded that Madison Street from Ludington Avenue south to Melendy Street will be closed beginning at 11:30 a.m. until after the Grand Parade to allow parade participants to line up in that area. All motorists, including homeowners in the area, should seek alternative travel routes during that time. In addition, motorists are advised that Ludington Avenue from Staffon Street to Lakeshore Drive will be closed to all traffic beginning at 1:15 p.m. until after the Grand Parade.

The parade will not be rescheduled in the case of inclement weather.

The Ludington Area Jaycees will be selling bottled water and commemorative 2015 Freedom Festival t-shirts along the parade route during the parade; t-shirts cost $10 each. All proceeds benefit the Freedom Festival Fund. Donations will also be accepted.

Freedom Festival t-shirts are also currently available at the Ludington Area Jaycees’ Mini Golf Course at Stearns’ Park Beach, WMOM Radio Station, and the Ludington & Scottville Chamber of Commerce office.

The Freedom Festival Fireworks Display will be held on Saturday, July 4 at dusk at Stearns Park in Ludington. The Ludington Area Jaycees will be selling glow-in-the-dark necklaces, bracelets, and other novelties at Stearns Park during the fireworks display. In the event of inclement weather, the Fireworks Display will be held on Sunday, July 5, 2015.

Ludington Area Jaycees will also be sponsoring another Charity Monday Mini Golf Fundraiser to benefit the Freedom Festival Fund. The mini golf fundraiser will take place on Monday, July 6, 2015, from noon to 9 p.m., at the Ludington Area Jaycees’ Mini Golf Course at Stearns Park. Thirty percent of all sales at the Jaycees’ Mini Golf Course on that day will be donated to the Freedom Festival Fund. Cost to play is $5 for adults, $4 for children ages 6 to 12 and free for children ages 5 and under. Senior citizens are $4 and service personnel (including military, police, fire) are free with identification.

For more information, please contact Ludington Area Jaycees Community Development Vice-President Jamie Spore at (231) 233-0230 or e-mail freedomfestival2015@hotmail.com.