Nik Rajkovic / news@whmi.com

Brighton’s annual Independence Day celebration kicks off early Friday morning with the Hungry Duck half-marathon, then kids’ games and Duckling Dash down Main Street.

“From 8:30 to 9:30 in front of the Mill Pond, we have community games for all families and kids. We finish with Brighton’s biggest water balloon toss. We toss water balloons down on Main Street,” says Fire Chief Mike O’Brien. “At 9:30, it’s time for our kids to sign in the Duckling Dash, sponsored by Livingston Sunrise Rotary Club. The kids get to do a 100 meter sprint down Main Street.”

The parade itself steps off at 10 am with more than 60 entries.

“It’s led by our VFW, who will be providing the colors for the parade, and always does a great job, our veterans do a great job bringing that patriotic spirit to downtown,” says O’Brien.

“Our grand marshals this year are Barb and Mark Binkley from Binkley-Cooper Jewelers in downtown Brighton. They’re just great civil servants. Right behind them is going to be Brighton’s own Miss Michigan Hannah Palmer.”

Chief O’Brien says you’ll want to stick around after the parade as well.

“VINA Dental, which is in downtown Brighton. They are auctioning off a Corvette or money. Right after that’s done, we will turn on Brighton’s biggest sprinkler. We use the ladder truck and give the kids a great opportunity to play in the water with their families. It’s always a great tradition here in Brighton.”

See the links below for more details.

Photos courtesy of Brighton Area Fire Authority.