Want to be more than a bystander at either of the county's Fourth of July parades?

It's not too late to celebrate our country's independence by marching in either parade in which nearly "anything goes."

The theme for this year’s July 4th parade in Leland is “Let Freedom Ring” and all are encourage to enter a float, costumed group, decorate a vehicle or just be themselves in the “land of delight”.

Eloise Lund is grand marshal for the 3 p.m. parade, which begins at Christmas Tree Corner (Reynolds and Main streets) and travels north on Main, ending at the Village Green on the north end of the unincorporated village.

Beth Grosvenor, Connie Nelson and Deb Simpson are judges for this year’s event. they will award prizes for entries judged as most unique, most humorous, and best business, antique automobile, musical group, costume (child and adult), theme and overall “best in parade.”

Entries will be judged on workmanship, originality, participation of many hands, and reflection of the theme “Let Freedom Ring.”

What do the awards confer?

“Bragging rights until next year,” said David “Chauncey” Shiflett, who is helping to organize the event.

Children’s bikes are always a big part of the Leland Parade. At 1 p.m., children’s bike decorating will begin on the lawn. All entries begin to assemble about 2 p.m. at Christmas Tree Corner for the 3 p.m. start.

Although registration is encourage prior to the event to help organizers assign numbers for judging purposes, it is not required.

“If someone wants to walk in the parade, we’ll slide them in,” Shiflett said. “It just becomes more difficult when it comes to identifying them for the judges.”

In Glen Arbor, there’s no need to plan ahead to parade down Western Avenue in observance of July 4th.

Gilbert and Elsie Warnes, former owners of the gift shop at the Dune Climb and Warnes Grocery in Glen Arbor, will serve as grand marshals.

Parade entries often include old and new cars, trucks, trailers, and just about anything else that will keep up with the parade from Glen Haven to Glen Arbor. Walkers, bicycles, horses, baby buggies, bands and other “slowpokes” — often decked out in red, white and blue — will join the parade at the corner of Day Forest Road and M-109.

Motorized or by foot, “parade officials” will be on hand to help assemble entries at 11:30 a.m. The parade begins at noon from Glen Haven, arrives at Glen Arbor about 12:45 to 1 p.m. and will be disbanded at Egeler Street on the north end of the village.

Later in the day, the second consecutive boat parade is slated for 3:30 p.m. in front of the Glen Lake Yacht Club.

The grand marshal and lead boat in the parade is last year’s winner, the Schmid family. Participants are encouraged — but not required — to decorate their boat and themselves. They will gather on the west side of Big Glen in single file. Late-comers are asked to take up the rear.

The parade will proceed along the west (M-22) side of the lake; under the bridge and through to the dunes.

If you miss out marching on the Fourth, you can still get in as part of the Polka Fest Parade Saturday. Participants should be at the Solon Township Hall at 11:30 a.m. to line up for the parade, which begins at noon.

In the event of inclement weather, the parade will be held at 12:30 p.m. Sunday.