Enhanced A250 Grand Rapids Fireworks Celebration set for Saturday, July 4 at new temporary location

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., June 8, 2026 – The Grand Rapids Fireworks, presented by Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, will deliver an enhanced, expanded fireworks spectacular on Saturday, July 4 in honor of America’s 250th Anniversary. This year’s show will launch from a new temporary location on the Fulton Street Bridge, selected to accommodate ongoing river restoration work and the temporary closure of Ah-Nab-Awen Park.

The 2026 celebration is made possible through the generous support of Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, the event’s title sponsor. Meijer serves as the presenting sponsor of the amplified A250 finale and host of the Meijer Family Fun Zone.

This year’s Independence Day event is free and open to the public, offering an unforgettable experience for families across West Michigan. Riverbank Events and Media—producers of the Amway River Bank Run and Gentex Santa Parade—will coordinate live entertainment beginning at 6 p.m. at the Amway Hotel Employee Parking Lot (51 Market Ave SW), located at the corner of Fulton Street and Market Avenue. The viewing area will include the Meijer Family Fun Zone, food vendors, and exhibitor booths. Family activities will continue until 10:30 p.m., leading into the enhanced A250 fireworks display.

With Ah-Nab-Awen Park temporarily closed for the river restoration project, organizers needed a new launch and viewing area for 2026. The Amway Hotel Corporation stepped forward to offer its employee parking area as the primary viewing and family activity site. The City’s Office of Special Events, along with the Grand Rapids Police and Fire Departments, collaborated to ensure the community can safely celebrate this milestone year.

This year’s celebration—featuring an expanded fireworks finale in honor of America’s 250th birthday—continues Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort’s tradition of supporting events that highlight family, freedom, and community.

“The Grand Rapids Fireworks is a great way for us to focus on the things that are important to us as an organization, while showing our commitment to Grand Rapids and all of West Michigan,” said Raul Venegas, executive director of marketing, entertainment and sales for Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort. “We’re excited to provide another great event for the West Michigan community and to present a fireworks display with an amazing A250 finish.”

“The City of Grand Rapids is proud to once again support the annual fireworks event downtown,” said City Manager Mark Washington. “Community events like this add to our city’s vibrancy. We’re excited to be part of a celebration that is free, accessible and fun for all — especially in this milestone year.”

Russ Hines, CEO of Riverbank Events and Media, emphasized the significance of this year’s enhanced celebration:

“It’s exciting to bring all of West Michigan together in downtown Grand Rapids to celebrate our nation’s independence and its 250th birthday,” Hines said. “This year’s enhanced show will be something special.”

In addition to Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort and Riverbank Events and Media, event sponsors and partners include: City of Grand Rapids, Experience Grand Rapids, Meijer, Kendall Group, Amway Hotel Corporation, Red Water Collection, LiveSpace, Gentex, Lake Michigan Credit Union, and the Amway River Bank Run.

For more information about the 2026 Grand Rapids Fireworks presented by Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, visit the event:

Web:               4thOfJulyGR.com

Facebook:        facebook.com/4thofjulygr

Twitter:           @GR4thofJuly

About Riverbank Events and Media

Riverbank Events and Media is a locally owned company producing events, creating marketing strategies and driving commerce in West Michigan. Events include, the Amway River Bank Run, Grand Rapids Fireworks, presented by Soaring Eagle Casino, Gentex Santa Parade with additional events and campaigns being added annually. 

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort: Tanya Bardy, (989) 621-8613, tbardy@sagchip.org

Riverbank Events and Media: Steve Morrow, (616) 901-3220, steve@amwayriverbankrun.com

Riverbank Events and Media: Russ Hines, (616) 890-1595, Hines.Russ@gmail.com

City of Grand Rapids:  Steve Guitar, (616) 456-3773, sguitar@grcity.us