By Kim Parker
The Schoolcraft 4th of July Committee, comprised of Toni Rafferty, Kim Parker, Lori King, Doug McMillan, Alexzandria Barnsoski, Kristi Fender, Jon and Chelsea Hybels, and Schelle McMillan, has been busy planning this year’s events. The area is under a moderate drought warning, but the group hopes the fireworks will be able to go on.
New location for fireworks
The 96th Schoolcraft 4th of July Celebration has been in the planning stages since last year. Because of major construction at the schools, the group needed a new location. Fortunately, Josh Baird with the Dome Sports Center reached out and offered a location that made it possible.
The fireworks this year will not include a ground show. All fireworks will be high in the sky to make it visible to the village and visitors. No parking will be allowed at the Dome or at the cemetery. Parking on US 131 is also not permitted. Side street parking in the Village, 10th St, 12th St, 14th St. Oakland Dr, and 16th St are recommended. The Committee hopes to be back on school property next year for the Fireworks.
This year the Schoolcraft 4th of July Committee has chosen Fire Chief Tracy McMillan as the Grand Marshal of this year’s parade. McMillan graduated from Schoolcraft High School in 1972 and became an emergency medical technician in 1976. He volunteered with the Schoolcraft Ambulance Service for 18 years when it merged with Vicksburg Ambulance in 1994 to become South County EMS. He became the Operations Manager of SCEMS in 2001 and held that position until 2014. He joined the Schoolcraft Volunteer Fire Department in 1978 as a Firefighter/EMT. He climbed the ranks of the department and was elected fire chief in 1992. He continued until 1999 when they merged with Vicksburg and Wakeshma to become South Kalamazoo County Fire Authority (SKCFA). He continued as fire chief of the newly formed Fire Authority and continues to hold that position today. There are approximately 28 firefighters, both men and women, currently on staff. Tracy and his wife, Schelle, have been married for over 40 years. They have two children who followed in his footsteps and are members of the fire authority and work in serving their communities in public safety. He loves to spend time with his family, especially his grandkids.
T-shirt design winner
This year’s t-shirt design winner is Schoolcraft 4th grader Savanna. Her design was chosen from 4th- 6th graders. T-shirts are available for purchase at Schoolcraft4thofJuly.com.