Flushing’s SummerFest Parade travels ‘back through the decades’

Jan 16, 2024

FLUSHING, MI - People dressed up as Elvis, hippies and in other fashions from decades past, lived up to this year's Flushing SummerFest's theme of "Back Through the Decades," while handing out candy and marching in the annual parade on Wednesday, June 7.

The parade is only the beginning of SummerFest, with activities, events and a daily carnival happening from Wednesday, June 7 through Sunday, June 11.

The parade started behind Central Elementary off Coutant Street, turned onto McKinley Road and traveled down Main Street before ending on South Maple Street by Riverview Park where the Skerbeck Carnival is set up.

Lifelong Flushing residents Maria Belville and Dan Belville said they have been attending the parade their whole lives.

Related: Flushing's 2023 SummerFest goes ‘back through the decades’

"It was really good, the kids got a whole backpack full of candy," Maria Belville said. "My favorite float was the Gym for Her. They were all dressed in 1970′s outfits. It was awesome."

The Flushing City Chamber of Commerce, who organizes SummerFest, also held two best float contests -- one for business entries and one for community group entries.

In the business float entry category, the winners were Halo Hair Salon & Nail Co. in first place, Primary Prevention Physiotherapy in second place and Flushing Karate in third place.

In the community group float entry category, the winners were the Flushing Area Historical Society in first place, the Flushing AYSO Region 283 in second place and the Girl Scouts of Southwestern Michigan in third place.

For more information about all events taking place during this year's Flushing SummerFest, click here.