IRON COUNTY—Buy some stock in candle companies because Uncle Sam has to blow out 232 candles on his birthday cake this year.

Independence Day will be observed this Friday, and Iron County residents will be enjoying Fourth of July festivities in Iron River, Alpha and Amasa. It also marks the start of a long, busy weekend.

Iron River: The Fourth of July parade starts at 10 a.m. from the West Iron County High School parking lot, with the massed colors of area veterans’ organizations leading the way.

From the school campus, the parade passes north on Washington Avenue through old Stambaugh to Genesee Street, where it turns left (west) and continues through the downtown area to Fifth Avenue, where it disbands.

Chet Benson of Riverland Realty will be announcing the units as they pass the review stand in the downtown area.

Organizers will award prizes in the following categories: adult organizations, commercial, independent organizations or groups, youth comic group, individual decorated bikes, antique vehicles, youth organizations, adult comic group, individual horses, individual comics and saddle clubs.

Other units expected to take part in the parade include the West Iron County High School band, Boy Scout and Girl Scout units, area fire departments and local auto dealers. Everyone is invited to enter their units in the Fourth of July parade and show your patriotism.

Registration for the parade begins at 8:30 a.m. on the west side of the high school. Members of the Auxiliaries of American Legion Posts 17 (Iron River) and 21 (Stambaugh) and of VFW Post 3134 will help with the registration.

The parade will form on the south side of the high school’s parking area. The parade committee asks all units to enter the parade assembly area via Garfield Avenue, on the west side of the high school building, turning at Kermit’s Bar.

This year’s parade marshal will be Alvin “Al” Dominici of Iron River. Dominici joined the U.S. Army in November 1941 and served with the 36th Infantry Division in North Africa and Italy (Monte Cassino, Anzio and Rome). After landing in southern France, Dominici was part of the Allied drive into Germany and then Austria prior to V-E Day. He was discharged from the Army with the rank of tech sergeant.

Among his combat decorations are two Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in France. After the war, Dominici operated Al’s and Sal’s Bar in Iron River with his wife, Sally, for over 50 years. He is a member of Ottawa VFW Post 3134.

Immediately after the parade, the West Iron County Fire Department will host children’s races at the fire hall on Ninth Avenue. The volunteer firefighters will also serve free ice cream.

The annual fireworks show is scheduled for 10 p.m., under the supervision of WIC fireman Mike Henschel and his volunteer crew. In case of inclement weather, the fireworks show will be delayed until the night of July 5.

Due to the ever-increasing costs of fireworks and insurance, the veterans will ask parade spectators for donations to help them cover their costs. Donations can also be mailed to the West Side Veterans Council, P.O. Box 433, Iron River, MI 49935 or can be left with any of the veterans organizations.

• Alpha: The Alpha-Mastodon Fire Department is charge of a busy day of events in downtown Alpha.

The opening ceremony is at 9 a.m. Julie Harp is the master of ceremonies. Robert Ball will give the invocation, the Forest Park High School Marching Band will perform, and the Alpha-Mastodon firefighters will raise the flag.

Rueben Tauri is the East Side Veterans’ honoree of the day.

The parade starts at 9:30 a.m., led by the Sheriff’s Department. All children taking part in the parade will win a cash prize, and prizes will also be presented to the best costumes and the best-trimmed bicycles.

After the parade, free ice cream and Crackerjack will be distributed. The concessions stand at the pavilion will be offering brats, hot dogs, soda and beer during the day.

At 10:30, a pie social takes place in the Alpha gym, hosted by the Alpha Senior Center. A coin scramble is scheduled at 11 a.m. for children 1 to 6 years old.

From noon to 5 p.m., the Dennis Ketola Band and SHC will be performing. Also, the Alpha Museum holds an open house. The raffle drawing will be held at 3 p.m. on July 5.

Kids races begin at 1 p.m. for everyone 3 to 14 years old. There will be wheelbarrow races, sack races, three-legged races and an egg race. Cash prizes go to the winners.

The horseshoe tournament starts at 2 p.m., with registration beginning at noon. And it wouldn’t be the Fourth of July in Alpha without the egg toss game. That is scheduled for 3:30 p.m., for all those 12 and older. Cash prizes go to the best egg-tossing team. And as for the losers—well, the yolk’s on them!

The big day wraps up with Alpha’s big fireworks show at dusk, which is staged by the Alpha-Mastodon Fire Department’s trained and certified pyrotechnics team.

• Amasa: No official release has been received, but Fourth of July plans for Amasa should be familiar for area residents.

The day starts with an ecumenical hymn sing at Grace United Methodist Church, starting at 9:30 a.m.

Most of the events will take place at the Hemlock River Park. They start with the flag-raising at 10. They will be followed by the kids parade and kids races. The adults get to take the spotlight with a sawing contest.

After the contests are over, cotton candy will be given out at the Amasa Museum, while the Amasa Historical Society operates a food booth at the fire hall. On the menu: barbecues, tacos, hamburgers, hot dogs and brats.

The annual softball game takes place at the softball diamond at 2 p.m., and that is followed by a street dance in the downtown area later in the day. Details on most events are unavailable.