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The annual festival, which began sometime in the 1800s, is known far and wide for its hour-long Fourth of July parade down Huron Street. Theme for this year's parade is "A Military Tribute."

Local businesses, politicians, farmers driving their tractors, four Shriner groups, and many others will be included in the parade.

"We usually have over 100 entrants," said Mary Oliver, manager at North Branch Meadows and chairperson for the festival.

There is a $5 entry fee ($25 for politicians), which goes towards the cost of the festival and the firework display.

"It's like free advertising," said Dawn Light, a full-time teller at Independent Bank and treasurer for the North Branch Days Committee. "We would love to have people from other areas participate. The parade helps them get their name out there."

Parade participants will be included in a judging contest based on eight categories: best auto, best farm, best church, best horse, best commercial or merchant, best service organization, most unusual, and most theme-oriented. Winners will receive ribbons and will have their name announced in the local newspaper.

Even though the registration deadline is June 30, people may still enter the day of the parade. As long as participants enter before 10:30 a.m. July 4, they will be given a number and will be a part of the judging contest. Those who do not enter by that time will be put at the end of the procession and will not be included in the judging contest.

Oliver said her biggest concern is finding volunteers to help with the parade, as well as the entire festival.

"We need to get word out there that everything is done by the volunteers, not just in North Branch, but in all the towns. Our goal is to make people more aware so they will step up and help," Oliver said. "Sometimes there just aren't enough volunteers."

Light said because of the shortage of volunteers this year, it has taken all she has to help with the parade. A few volunteers usually step forward at the last minute, she commented. If necessary, the committee will sometimes fall back on people who have helped in previous years.

"No matter what, at 11 a.m. everything comes together and we have a nice parade," Light commented. "No one even notices if we make a mistake."

In an effort to raise money for North Branch Days, the committee has canisters displayed at various businesses in town to promote a pie-in-the-face contest. Eight people will be part of the contest, including village president Kelly Martin and Fire Chief Ken Jentzen. Winners will be determined by the amount of pennies donated in their name; for each dollar, 100 pennies will be deducted from the total. Four of the eight contestants will receive a pie-in-the-face thrown by a member of the NB Days Committee following the parade on July 4.

Also, before the fireworks begin, members of the committee will stand with canisters at various "hot spots" in town to collect donations.

"It wasn't until they asked if I wanted to be a part of the committee that I realized everything is 100% donations," stated Light. "North Branch is filled with a lot of good people, and I just wish everyone would step up to help. Getting people to volunteer is so hard."

The festival will commence on July 3 with games and a truck & tractor pull.

On July 4, people will enjoy a breakfast, auction, parade, family entertainment, children's games, face painting, horseshoe tournament, beef and pork dinner, demolition derby, and a firework display.

A 5K walk/run will start the day on July 5, followed by children's games, a children's parade, chalk drawing contest, children's pedal pull, battle of the bands, a performance by an up-and-coming heavy metal band, a bump and run, and a BMX bike race. A beer tent and live music will be provided on July 3, 4, and 5. The festival will conclude on July 6 with a breakfast and a car show.

For a complete list of activities and locations, or to become a volunteer, contact Mary Oliver at (810) 688-7400 or Dawn Light at (810) 688-2987, or visit the village Web site at www.northbranchvillage.org