Clarkston Independence Day Parade 2026

Before moving vans, there were wagons. Around 1870, countless families came to Michigan in search of farmland, opportunity, and a fresh start. After arriving by ship or rail, the final miles of their journey were often made in sturdy wagons like the Harrison wagon atop this year’s Independence Day float. The wagons were loaded with furniture, tools, treasured keepsakes, and everything they needed to begin a new life.

Clarkston itself had been established decades earlier, but by the 1870s it was a thriving rural community where new families continued to put down roots. Whether their destination was Clarkston or another Michigan town, wagons like this became symbols of hope, perseverance, and the promise of a better future. Standing beside this beautifully preserved wagon today, it’s easy to imagine the excitement—and uncertainty—of those first arrivals as they looked toward the lives they hoped to build.

It’s a wonderful reminder that every Michigan community has been shaped by generations of people willing to pack up everything they owned and head toward an unknown future.

This year, their descendants—and countless others—lined the streets of the Village of Clarkston to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our Independence as a country. Members and friends of the Clarkston Historical Society walked the route greeting spectators, handing out nostalgic penny candy and “Clarkston Passports,” a big hit with kids and adults alike.

The Clarkston Historical Society float was honored to receive the First Place ribbon!