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**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

**Marquette’s Fourth of July Freedom and Food Festival Kicks Off with a Bang**

**MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) –** Marquette’s Fourth of July celebrations are underway at Mattson Lower Harbor Park, with the 43rd annual Freedom and Food Festival drawing crowds and supporting local charities. Organized by the Marquette County Exchange Club, the event promises a weekend of food, fun, and fireworks, all while giving back to the community.

“We’ve raised well over a million dollars for our area charities,” said Geno Angeli, Co-Chairman of the Marquette County Exchange Club. “We have 75, maybe 80 entities throughout the community that we pass our profits out to.”

The festival, which runs through Friday afternoon from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., features local food and drink vendors, live music, and activities for children, including bouncy castles. Organizers reported a successful opening day, with strong attendance and positive feedback.

“We had a good start,” Angeli said. “A lot of people, a lot of kids, great music, great food, everything you wanted to do for the Fourth of July, we’re going to do it all.”

After a period of recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival is experiencing a resurgence in popularity. “Ever since COVID, we’re slowly working our way back and it’s coming back very nicely,” said Angeli. “We get a lot of support from the community.

The festival culminates each evening with a spectacular display. Attendees enjoyed a firework show on Thursday night. Friday evening at dusk will feature a sensory-friendly laser show. Organizers anticipate approximately 15,000 spectators for the firework show in Lower Harbor.

For a full schedule of Marquette’s Fourth of July events, visit marquettefourth.com.

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