Get A Front Row Seat For 4th Of July Fireworks

The 4th of July will be hear before we know it.  Do you have anything planned?

Hopefully, you're planning activities with your family, a cookout, golf, swimming, boating, whatever takes you outside.

But, after all of that is finished, it has to be fireworks.  What's the 4th without fireworks?  And, the most spectacular show would have to be in downtown Grand Rapids, over the Grand River.  It's always a "knock your socks off" show.

The good thing, or bad thing is there will be upwards of 100,000 people doing the same thing you'll be doing, watching the big show.

Here is a way to make it really cool, more relaxing and fun.  Go to the Public Museum.  They always have a great party going on, and this year is no different.  For a small price, you and your family/friends will enjoy the wonders of the Museum for a few hours while awaiting the night’s big attraction, the city’s annual patriotic, pyrotechnic blast.

Tickets are on sale for ($15/ adults and $7.50/children 3-17).  Members may purchase tickets for $10/adults and $5/children.  Kids under 3 are free.  Limited guaranteed Museum ramp parking passes are available in conjunction with ticket purchases for $10.  Proceeds from this event support programs of the Grand Rapids Public Museum.

It all begins at 7 pm on Wednesday, July 4 at the Museum on the southeast corner of Front and Pearl Streets downtown, and runs through the fireworks finale around 11 pm.  Inside the Museum you'll enjoy pre-dusk carousel rides, planetarium shows and organ concerts.  The Café will serve $5 pulled pork, pizza and hot dog meal specials, drinks and ice cream novelties.  A cash bar will be open as will the Curiosity Shop.  As darkness falls, visitors can stay inside in air-conditioned comfort or head outside to the carousel walkway or the enclosed lawn seating area.  Either option provides an amazing view of the fireworks as they explode over the Grand River.

Here is another cool thing.  Ticket purchasers may sponsor a child with a $10 event/meal ticket donation.  Museum staff is once again working with Bethany Christian Services, Lutheran Social Services and D.A. Blodgett - St. John’s to bring downtown to the event kids who might otherwise not be able to enjoy the festivities.

How do I buy tickets, you say?  Easy, just call 616.456.3977, stop by the Museum front desk or go to grmuseum.org.  This event will take place regardless of weather, and there are no refunds or rain dates.  For information, call 616.456.3977 or go to grmuseum.org.