Yankee Doodle Day

The Grand Ledge Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Yankee Doodle Day festivities Saturday (June 17) at Jaycee Park.

The day kicks off with the 15^th annual Josh Spalsbury Memorial Comet Chase 5K, which starts at 8:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in downtown Grand Ledge. There will also be a 1-mile run for children 13 and under at 8 a.m. and a 400-meter Kids Race at 8:15 a.m. All proceeds benefit the Grand Ledge Education Foundation, a nonprofit that provides extra funding for special projects at Grand Ledge Public Schools.

The Market on the Grand is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering a host of vendors, an arts & crafts show, a beer tent and plenty of food trucks. The beer tent reopens at 5 p.m. and closes at 11 p.m.

The parade begins at 11 a.m. at the Sawdon Administration Building and travels along Bridge Street to the Fire Department. Prior to the parade, kids are invited to decorate their bikes at the Grand Ledge Area District Library.

Kids can enjoy activities such as balloon twisting, face painting, an obstacle course bounce house, putt-putt golf and pony rides from noon to 3 p.m. while Mudge’s Follies variety show performs on the Rotary Club Stage.

The Xavier DeGroat Autism Foundation will present awards at 7 p.m., and Global Village will perform from 7:30 to 10 p.m., followed by a fireworks display to cap the evening.

For more information, visit grandledgechamber.com.