The sight and sound of explosions in the sky and processions winding through the streets that take place this weekend can only herald one thing — the start of the Fourth of July weekend.

Residents and visitors of Dowagiac and Sister Lakes again have a pair of events to look forward to in the coming days to celebrate the long Independence Day weekend.

The Young Professionals of Greater Dowagiac are once again hosting the Dowagiac’s annual Fourth of July fireworks show Friday, while the Sister Lakes Fire Department will host the annual Big Foot Parade Saturday in the lakeside community.

The Dowagiac fireworks display will again take place at Russom Park, beginning promptly at dusk. Parking space will be available at the park as well as Dowagiac Union High School and the former AYSO soccer fields, with volunteers with the Young Professionals helping guide parking around 7 p.m., said organizer Jeremy Truitt.

Friday will mark the third year that the Dowagiac service organization has organized the fireworks show, with the display once again handled by Dowagiac’s Kirk Proshwitz. The members brought back the show in 2014 after it had been on hiatus for several years.

Last year’s show was a tremendous success, with thousands from around the community showing up to watch at the park with many more watching from their homes, Truitt said.

“We are looking forward to having another great turnout,” Truitt said. “We are hoping it will be a great family event that people will continue to make a tradition to kick off their Fourth of July weekend.”

The Little League concession stands at Russom Park will be open during the show as well, and volunteers with the service organization will be selling glow sticks. Parking will be free. People are free to donate to Young Professional volunteers, with the proceeds going next year’s firework shows, Truitt said.

The following day, members of the Sister Lakes Fire Department will be leading the annual procession through the community, as the annual Big Foot Fourth of July Parade returns. The parade steps off 5 p.m. Saturday at Lions Park, located on 95th Avenue, with the participants traveling toward County Road 690, heading toward the fire station before ending at the nearby Sister Lakes Elementary School.

Several units have already signed up for the parade, including several local fire departments and businesses, including Twistees and Ramona Roller Rink, said department board secretary Natasha Stewart.

A fire engine with the Sister Lakes station will lead this year’s procession, with several volunteers dressed as members of the Teenage Mutant Turtles joining them on the vehicle, tossing out candy to children in the crowd, Stewart said.

“We did a fundraiser with them recently and the kids loved, loved them,” Stewart said.

The parade almost always draws a great crowd, who line up along 95th and CR 690 to witness the event, Stewart said.

“We try to make this a great event for the community and to celebrate Independence Day, because that is what this is all about,” she said.

In addition to the parade, the fire department will host a fundraiser at 11 a.m. Saturday at the firehouse, with Nelson’s BBQ serving port-a-pit chicken, ribs, pork chops to visitors.

People wishing to participate in the parade can sign up at the event, with lineup beginning at 4 p.m.