For more than 40 years, Joe Paquette and Sonny Putvin were the driving force behind Munising’s beloved Fourth of July celebration — a community tradition rooted in volunteerism, patriotism and small-town heart.

As the World War II and Korean War generations of the American Legion began stepping back, Paquette and Putvin — both Vietnam veterans and members of Post 131 — took it upon themselves to keep the tradition alive, expanding it into the full-scale event locals and visitors know today.

Putvin, who became the post’s first Vietnam-era commander, and Paquette guided the celebration through decades of growth while keeping its family-friendly spirit intact.

When Sean Hayes stepped up to take the reins in 2022, it wasn’t to reinvent what they’d built. His role was to preserve it, evolve it and invite the next generation to take ownership of the event’s future.

“Sonny and Joe laid the foundation for everything this celebration is,” said Hayes, who now serves as president of the Munising Fourth of July nonprofit. “They did it the right way for so long. I just want to carry that forward — and make sure we’re doing right by them and the town.”

Hayes brings decades of engineering and operations experience to the role, skills he honed during his time as a senior executive in the telecommunications industry and now applies as the owner of Hayes Enterprises.

Under his leadership, the event has grown a more robust digital presence, including an official website (munising4thofjuly. com), online apparel sales and mobile-friendly ways to donate to the fireworks.

Organizers also launched digital registration for the fun run and added online forms for volunteers to sign up in advance.

But the job, Hayes said, is far bigger than he expected.

“I don’t think most people realize how much work this takes,” he said. “We’re managing vendors, permits, permits, porta-potties, bands, permits again … it’s a production. And it only works because of volunteers.”

That call for community help is central to Hayes’ vision: “We need more people in their 20s, 30s, 40s stepping in and saying, ‘How can I help?’ This can’t just be something we show up for. It’s something we all have to build.”

Paquette agrees. Affectionately known as “Mr. Fourth of July,” he passed the torch after mentoring Hayes during the transition.

“Sean’s done an outstanding job,” Paquette said. “He took it seriously. He asked questions. He wanted to understand how everything worked — and then he brought in his own skills to take it even further.”

One of those additions is a more dialed-in — and, thanks to Eric Cromell’s self-professed OCD, meticulously organized — sound setup.

Cromell, who works for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources by day and moonlights as a longtime local musician and sound enthusiast, has volunteered his time and technical skills to help Hayes elevate the audio experience for the park’s live music schedule, which now runs from 2 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

“Sean turned this into a real production,” Cromell said. “It’s not just someone plugging in a speaker and calling it a day. He’s got a schedule, a plan, real sound equipment — it’s professional.”

Beyond the fireworks and stage, the Fourth of July in Munising has always been about homecoming.

“People come back every year for this,” said Cori-Ann Cearley, executive director of the Munising Visitors Bureau. “It’s the No. 1 event in our area — hands down. It kicks off the summer season. Every hotel is booked, every restaurant is packed. But it’s also about locals reconnecting. You see people you haven’t seen in 10, 20 years.”

The Visitors Bureau is one of the event’s most consistent supporters. Cearley said they’ve covered expenses from fireworks launch tubes to porta-john rentals.

“Anything they’ve needed, we’ve tried to help with,” she said, “because this celebration matters. It’s part of who we are.”

That sentiment is echoed by Katherine Reynolds, executive director of the Munising Downtown Development Authority.

“This is a huge day for our businesses,” Reynolds said. “It’s nonstop traffic. But it’s also about placemaking. Events like this remind people why they want to live here, raise families here, stay connected to this place.”

Reynolds noted that the DDA’s support isn’t just about money — it’s about ensuring the downtown area looks welcoming and vibrant when visitors arrive.

“From the planters and benches to the public art and banners — we try to create a space that matches the energy of the day,” she said.

That energy starts at 8:30 a.m. with the Fun Run and doesn’t stop until fireworks light up the sky.

This year’s event includes yoga in the park, the annual parade at noon, watermelon-eating and egg-throwing contests, live music, food vendors and the ever- popular grease pole contest on the dock.

Families can enjoy carnival rides and games for kids from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., and the Munising Volunteer Fire Department will host a water fight at 4:30 p.m.

Hayes said bringing back a bigger kids zone was a priority this year, and he credits his daughter Abbie for spearheading the effort.

“Abbie’s been amazing,” he said. “She’s taken the lead on making sure there’s something fun and engaging for every age group.”

To keep that momentum going, Hayes said organizers are looking for volunteers to help run the kids games and support other family-friendly activities.

“We’re asking people to give just an hour or two of their day,” he said. “You don’t have to plan the whole event — just show up and lend a hand.”

“It’s always been about the volunteers,” Paquette said. “That’s how we did it all those years. No one person can pull this off alone. It’s the whole town coming together.”

Hayes hopes all of it — the fun, the chaos, the community moments — adds up to something people feel proud of.

“We’re not trying to make it bigger just for the sake of it,” he said. “We want it to feel like Munising. But we also want to make sure it survives, and that won’t happen if it’s always the same people doing the heavy lifting. This thing only lasts if new folks step in.”

To donate, volunteer or buy official Fourth of July gear, visit munising4thofjuly.com or text MUNISING to 53555.

The fireworks show, sponsored entirely by community donations, begins at dusk.

“This is your Fourth of July,” Hayes said. “We just get to help make it happen.”