Fourth of July in Clawson has been a tradition since 1933 with the exception of one year during wartime. Our signature events celebrate a week of activities prior to the parade, fair and fireworks held on the 4th (unless the 4th falls on a Sunday, the parade, fair and fireworks are held on July 5th). The Kiddie parade falls on the Saturday before the rest of the events. Music in the park (sponsored by Clawson parks and rec.), an ice cream social (sponsored by the Lions Club), Free Fun Run and 5K Run are held in June before the grand celebration on the 4th.
Early celebrations in the 1930's included a day of baseball games, family picnics, shoe race, 100-yard dash, 3-legged race, greased pole climb, cracker eating contest for women, Freedom run race, slipper kicking contest, pie eating contest, a fat man's race (200 lbs. and over) and a prize for the largest family in the park. In the 1970's we added a candy scramble, backward race, wheelbarrow race, shoe scramble, water balloon toss, donkey baseball, hot potato game and an egg toss. Other past festivities in the park included Bobo the Clown, Keystone Cops, Miss Clawson Pageant, Band shell on the football field with Variety Shows and spectators in the stands, Coney Day (sponsored by the Optimist Club, Big Wheel Race and Bingo and the Beautiful Baby contest. The Keystone Cops were known to "arrest" anyone found not wearing a 4th of July button. As the years have passed, many of the events have changed, but some have remained.
Each year, a theme is chosen and a Grand Marshall to lead the parade is picked. The 4th of July begins with a Pancake Breakfast held at Clawson United Methodist Church (sponsored by United Methodist Church) from 7am to 11am. At 9AM the Firecracker Mile starts at the corner of 14 Mile Road and Crooks followed by the fire trucks and parade, heads to Main Street, north on Main to Elmwood, left on Elmwood and ends at the Clawson City Park. You will hear the sounds of the fire trucks before you see the parade moving down the street.
Arts and crafts and the Carnival featuring Wade Shows Inc. begin at 10 am at the park. The $3 admission fee (cash only please) charged at the fair gates pays for the fabulous fireworks each year. Donations are also accepted to pay for fireworks. Last year a Hot Dog Eating Contest (sponsored by General Dogs) was a success, and along with the traditional dime toss game (sponsored by the Lions Club) is a popular event.
