Looking back on Clawson’s July 4 tradition

CLAWSON — The Fourth of July in Clawson holds a special place in local history. Beginning in 1933, the event has yet to miss a year of celebration besides one year during wartime.

Featuring parades, running events, an art fair, a carnival, music, food, and of course fireworks, the event brings together the city of Clawson for a week of activities.

In the early days of the event, the activities were quite different.

In the 1930s, there was such a thing as a “fat man’s race,” including only people 200 pounds or more, according to clawson4thofjuly.com. On the other hand, the women would compete in a cracker eating contest.

“They kind of started it because of the Great Depression,” Leah Davis, curator from the Clawson Historical Museum, said. “Fat man races and cracker eating contests were done out of the fact that we were coming out of the Great Depression, so we didn’t have a lot.”

Over the years, the Fourth of July event would change significantly. Davis said change is due mostly to the resources that people had during different time periods.

“First off, technology and the newfangled things coming out,” she said. “Back then we didn’t have the current carnival with roller coasters; there is also another facet as far as political correctness.”

In the early days of the Clawson Fourth of July celebration, people would enjoy smaller events that included a 100 yard dash, the greased pole climb, a shoe race, and more, but fireworks were always on the agenda.

The event continued to grow to this day. Davis said that keeping a festival like this alive is due to consistency, and the fact that surrounding areas did not have such festivities yet.

“It (the event) was probably one of the earlier ones that started. In this area you wouldn’t have had a lot of options (of celebrations),” Davis said. “They (Clawson) kept doing it every year, they have always had a lot of activities and things too, so it’s not even just the parade.”

The 2024 Fourth of July event in Clawson lasted from June 26 to July 4, and consisted of a parade, running races, arts and crafts, a kiddie parade, carnival, and live music.

The kiddie parade on June 29 is always a popular event, according to Fourth of July Committee member Penny Luebs.

Participants in the kiddie parade are asked to decorate their bikes, which are judged and the best-decorated bike wins. Floats, costumes and best use of theme are also judged.

“It is always fun to see how kids and adults decorate their bicycles and their wagons,” Luebs said.

Luebs has been a member of the Clawson Fourth of July committee for over 20 years and said that she believes the event stays at the forefront of celebrations because of the unique fireworks show that is put on every year.

“And I think our fireworks are famous around the area because of the length of time the fireworks last and the constant firing of the fireworks on display,” she said.

Being a part of tradition has been one reason why Luebs has stayed on the committee for 20 years.

“I enjoy it because it is helping the community, and I do stay busy,” she said. “We plan all year long, so the nice part about the committee is that the members are also longtime members, so they know what they are doing and how to do it.”

Luebs said Clawsonians are known to stick around for the Fourth of July events, which help to connect with neighbors.

“We in Clawson generally don’t leave Clawson for Fourth of July activities,” she said. “That is our big day where you can walk in the city and go stop in somebody’s backyard and they are going to invite you in for food and friendship.”

Paym Weaver said that she has been attending the Clawson Fourth of July events since she was a child, and that the tradition is one she will always hold close to her heart.

“It is something people even come back to Clawson from around the country to actually come and see, and we are known for our awesome fireworks,” she said. “It is a way of uniting the city. It’s a wonderful event.”

Weaver joined the Clawson Fourth of July Committee five years ago and said that every year the fireworks are the most-favored attraction, but she has seen hot dog eating contests gaining attention over the years.

The turnout for the fireworks this year was around 12,000 people, according to Weaver, who said that the committee was pleased with the attendance.

Weaver said that without the help of the Clawson Police Department and Fire Department, none of this would have been possible.

“They are really highly respected by us and all of the work they do prepping for this, and the fact that they are with us kind of as our protectors and in preparation and breakdown of this event too,” she said.