New Table of Contents 

• FANTASTIC FAIRS AND FESTIVALS IN WEST MICHIGAN
• COUNTY FAIR
• FANTASTIC FESTIVALS IN JULY
• ONGOING ACTIVITIES FOR SUMMER ENTERTAINMENT
• FAVORITE LINKS FOR INFORMATION ABOUT WEST MICHIGAN
• DO YOU WANNA CANOE? HOW ABOUT TUBING AND KAYAKING TOO?
• Tall Ships, Muscle Cars, Tulipmania--All Michigan
• MAKE MUSKEGON COUNTY YOUR UP NORTH DESTINATION THIS SUMMER
• LEARN MORE ABOUT MUSKEGON THROUGH THESE BOOKS
• THINK ABOUT SUMMER CAMPING NOW!
• QUAD CRASH AT SILVER LAKE SAND DUNES
• CAMPING IN WEST MICHIGAN
• CAMPING INFORMATION
• MICHIGAN CAMPING AND GARDENS
• VISIT FREDERICK MEIJER GARDENS AND SCULPTURE PARK IN GRAND RAPIDS
• Reader Feedback

FANTASTIC FAIRS AND FESTIVALS IN WEST MICHIGAN 

August is the month when things heat up in Michigan especially for fair and festival goers.

NEWAYGO COUNTY FAIR

Aug 2-9, Fairgrounds in Fremont, Horse pullin', Figure 8 races, entertainment, and lots more fun at the grandstand. Check out the animals and especially the Dairy Farmers booth with the best breakfast and cheese sandwiches ever!

KALAMZOO RIBFEST

August 7-9, Kalamazoo Ribfest not only has great food all weekend, (ribs anyone?), but lots of entertainment, famiy day, and Young Chefs Academy.

COOPERSVILLE SUMMERFEST

Aug 5-9, 10 am-6 pm Lots of activities for kids, special exhibits, and food.

UNITY CHRISTIAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

August 7, 8 & 9, 2008, Heritage Landing-Muskegon
Three days of great Christian music, family fun, food and fellowship.

NATIONAL BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL

Aug 7-10, South Haven, Arts and crafts, blueberry pie bake-off, kids carnival, entertainment and more! Yummy!!

ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR

Aug 16, Norton Shores, Arts and Crafts annual summer event

GREENVILLE DANISH FESTIVA

Aug 14-17, Greenville, Hot air balloon flights, quilt shows, stage performances, light up Baldwin Lake......weekend packed for family friendly entertainment and fun

OCEANA COUNTY FAIR

Aug 20-23, Hart, Tractor pulls, grandstand events, carnival, animals

BIG RAPIDS RIVERDAYS FESTIVAL

Aug 28-Sept 1, Big Rapids, Sock Hop & Classic Car Cruise, live entertainment, Lumberjack breakfast.....

SHORELINE SPECTACULAR

Aug 29-Sept 2, Muskegon, Arts and Crafts Fair -- Labor Day Parade -- Rides on Laura the Elephant
Carnival Games -- Free Kids Art Workshops
America's Best Frisbee Dogs -- Live Bands Every Night

NEWAYGO LOGGING FESTIVAL

Aug 29-Sept 1, Newaygo, Chainsaw Sculpture Competition and Auction, Lumberjack's Competition and Fireman's Water Battle. The Arts & Crafts Show in Brooks Park, Sidewalk Sales,

COUNTY FAIR 

FANTASTIC FESTIVALS IN JULY 

GRAND HAVEN COAST GUARD FESTIVAL

Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival,July 25-August 2
Grand Haven, 616-846-5940 Honoring those who serve in the Coast Guard with parades, ship tours, food, and fun

ONGOING ACTIVITIES FOR SUMMER ENTERTAINMENT 

Need some inexpensive entertainment for a summer day or evening? Enjoy these ongoing summer events. You may need to bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating at the summer concerts.

STEPHEN F. WESSLING OBSERVATORY, Fremont, Michigan Call for dates for open houses so you can be entranced by the starry summer skies. Located north of Fremont at Kropscott Farm Environmental Center, 6523 Baseline. $3 adult admission and $2. for youths 5-17 years old. 231-924-2420, ext. 5

TUESDAYS FREE SUMMER CONCERTS,, June 10 - August 12
Bandshell on White Lake, 231-893-2524

TUESDAYS PICK'N IN THE PARK, Pentwater, Michigan, at the Band Shell on the Village Green, Pentwater, 7-9 pm.

TUESDAY SCOTTVILE CLOWN BAND SHELL, U.S. 10, Scottville, Michigan Entertainment every Tuesday at 7:30 pm

TUESDAYS AT THE PARK, Central Park, downtown Grand Haven 7-8:30 pm thru Aug 26.

TUESDAY White Lake Arts council Summer Series, Montague Band Shell 7:30 pm. 231-893-2787

WEDNESDAY BIG BAND DANCES, Waterfront Stadium, downtown Grand Haven, 7-9 pm. $2. admission includes a 15 minute dance lesson.

THURSDAY AND SATURDAY FARMERS' MARKET, Fremont Marketplace Pavilion, Downtown Fremont, Michigan--3:30-6:30 pm Aug and Sept Thursdays and 7:30 am-12:30 pm Saturdays July 5-Oct.11 Locally grown vegetables and fruits, Amish bakery, plants

THURSDAYS AT THE POINT Mill Point Park, Spring Lake Village 7-8:30 pm

THURSDAY Concerts in the Park, Walker Park between the Walker Community Hall and City hall, North Muksegon 7-9 pm

THURSDAY Summer Concert in the Park Series, Veterans Memorial Park, downtown Fremont, 7 pm 231-924-0770

FRIDAY PARTY IN THE PARK, downtown Muskegon, 5-9:30 pm. Entertainment and refreshments 231-737-5665

FRIDAY FARMERS' MARKET, downtown Newaygo, Michigan, 2-7 pm Locally grown vegetables and fruits and more

FRIDAY Parties in the Park, Hackley Park, Muskegon 5-9:30 pm

ONGOING BLUE LAKE FINE ARTS CAMP, Twin Lake, Michigan, reknowned for its top-drawer musical performances and theatrical presentations. Call for information 231-894-1966

SATURDAY Maranatha Bible and Missionary Conference, 4759 Lake Harbor, Norton Shores, 7 pm 2231-798-2161

FAVORITE LINKS FOR INFORMATION ABOUT WEST MICHIGAN 

MUSKEGON

Find out what is happenin' at the new Up North destination, Muskegon.

SOUTH HAVEN

Beaches, sunsets, wineries, shopping and dining in South Haven

PETOSKEY-HARBOR SPRINGS-BOYNE CITY

Resort communities offering lakeside beauty, unique shopping and world class golf.

GREATER LANSING

Lansing is the Capitol of Michigan, but also offers great activities for summer fun.

HOLLAND, MICHIGAN

Preserving the Dutch heritage--windmills, wooden shoes, quaint downtown, and summer concerts.

LUDINGTON

Great state park for camping, tubing, world class sport fishing, golfing and lighthouses--dee-licious ice cream too.

CAMPING AND RV TRAVEL GUIDE

This site is packed with information for campers on Michigan campgrounds, places to visit, RV shows and articles on camping.

MICHIGAN CANOEING

Planning a canoe trip? Check out the info on this site.

NEWAYGO

Great fishing, camping, antiques, small town atmosphere, festivals

FREMONT

National Baby Food Festival in July, summer concert series, harvest festival, lakeside resorts, and camping.

NEWAYGO COUNTY

Escape to beautiful Newaygo County for fishing in blue ribbon streams, kayaking/canoeing rivers and streams, camping along the river or lakes, shopping, and festivals.

LOWELL, MICHIGAN

Quaint city famous for the Showboat Concert Productions on a docked showboat.

DO YOU WANNA CANOE? HOW ABOUT TUBING AND KAYAKING TOO? 

Great places to float in West Michigan.

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Tall Ships, Muscle Cars, Tulipmania--All Michigan 

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MAKE MUSKEGON COUNTY YOUR UP NORTH DESTINATION THIS SUMMER 

Pere Marquette Beach

A great beach for kids and grown ups. Want to just sun worship or let the kids play in the waves and on the play equipment. Nice bath house for changing and concession area.

Port City Princess Cruises

Cruise Lake Michigan and Muskegon Lake in this comfortable ship. Day or evening cruises.

Lake Express Ferry

Board the ferry in Muskegon and 2.5 hours later you will be stepping off in Milwaukee, WI.

Bike Trails

Enjoy biking these three bike trails in Muskegon County--The City of Muskegon Lakeshore Trail, The Musketawa Trail on the east side of the county and the Hart-Montague Trail State Park in the northern section of Muskegon County.

Camping in Muskegon County

Click for a list of camping opportunities. Whether you prefer the water or the woods, there will be a place for you to set up your campsite in Muskegon County.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MUSKEGON THROUGH THESE BOOKS 

The Muskegon: The Majesty And Tragedy of Michigan's Rarest River

by Jeff Alexander

Amazon Price: $18.21 (as of 07/26/2008)

Michigan's Lumbertowns: Lumbermen and Laborers in Saginaw, Bay City, and Muskegon, 1870-1905 (Great Lakes Books)

by Jeremy W. Kilar

Amazon Price: $27.95 (as of 07/26/2008)

Muskegon's Hockey History and Heroes

by Jay VandeVoorde

Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 07/26/2008)

THINK ABOUT SUMMER CAMPING NOW! 

MICHIGAN CAMPGROUND DIRECTORY

The 2008 Michigan Campground Directory, published by ARVC - Michigan, is now available. You can plan now for a great summer camping trip. The West Michigan area provides abundant streams, rivers, inland lakes, and the Great Lake Michigan with wide, sandy beaches for all your favorite water activities and fishing trips. The forests with a diverse growth of trees is a mecca for hikers. Oh yes, and lots of shopping opportunitie

MICHIGAN STATE PARKS

Michigan State Parks at this site include great camping and trail facilities. Make your reservations early!

QUAD CRASH AT SILVER LAKE SAND DUNES 

CAMPING IN WEST MICHIGAN 

Camping in West Michigan is a delight for the rustic tent camper or the RV'er. This area is a haven for natural beauty including the expansive beaches of Lake Michigan shores, peaceful surrounds of the many inland lakes, the hiking and biking trails through dense forests or open prairies, and the opportunities to see wildlife and bird watching in the nature preserves.

Some of my favorite little known West Michigan campgrounds are:

FREMONT LAKE PARK, Fremont, Michigan 231-924-5227
Located on an all sports inland lake, small town atmosphere

HENNING COUNTY PARK, Newaygo, Michigan 231-652-1202 Located on the mighty Muskegon River for great fishing, boating and tubing

BACK FORTY RANCH AT DOUBLE JJ RESORT, Rothbury, MI www.doublejj.com
This cowboy themed resort is full of activities including rodeo, horseback riding, water park, great dining with lots of entertainment for young and old

If you are looking for gorgeous sunsets and the best sand beaches, then camp at these Michigan State Parks. For more information on each park, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr

LUDINGTON STATE PARK, Ludington, Michigan Lazily tube down the little river that connects Hamlin Lake to Lake Michigan. Visit the lighthouse nearby.

CHARLES MEARS STATE PARK, Pentwater, Michigan Not only does this park have a great beach, but the small village of Pentwater is a great get-away from all the big box stores and franchises. It's a fun shopping area along the waterfront.

SILVER LAKE STATE PARK, Mears, Michigan Rev up those dune buggies for the most spectacular sites from atop the jaw dropping sand dunes. This is a great vacation spot.

MUSKEGON STATE PARK, North Muskegon, Michigan Spend your days and nights on this gorgeous beach which has been ranked among the most beautiful in the world.

HOFFMASTER STATE PARK, Muskegon, Michigan Climb the boardwalk over the sand dunes for amazing views of the spectacular Lake Michigan. Visit the Gillette Nature Center well know for its exhibits and nature programs.

You will have a great time staying at these campgrounds.

For tips and information on camping, visit Camping Links

CAMPING INFORMATION 

Michigan State Parks

Find a list of all the great State Parks in Michigan

MICHIGAN CAMPING AND GARDENS 

So many activities in Michigan as well as beaches and abundant fruits and vegetables

Check out these Michigan based titles.

The Unofficial Guide to the Best RV and Tent Campgrounds in the Great Lakes States: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin

by Jackie Sheckler Finch

Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)

The Midwest Fruit and Vegetable Book: Michigan

by James A. Fizzell

Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)

Michigan's West Coast: Explore the Shore Guide: A Journey to 500 Public Parks and Points of Access Along the Lake Michigan Shoreline

by Brian Hutchins

Amazon Price: $24.95 (as of 07/26/2008)

Country Roads of Michigan: Drives, Day Trips, and Weekend Excursions

by D. Scharfenberg

Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)

Short Bike Rides in Michigan, 2nd (Short Bike Rides Series)

by Pamela Stovall

Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)

VISIT FREDERICK MEIJER GARDENS AND SCULPTURE PARK IN GRAND RAPIDS 

Whether you are a gardener or not, you will enjoy a visit to the Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. The immense conservatory filled with collections of arid plants, tropical beauties, carnivorous garden is the landmark for finding the gardens. Walk through the conservatory and then outdoors to experience the walkways that wind through the 30+ acres of the most comprehensive collection of outdoor sculputres in the MidWest. My favorite is the behemoth bronze sculpture of The American Horse based on Leonard da Vinci's Horse sculpture. The powerful horse. although stationery, gives the impression he could race the wind and win with his strong legs and body. There are 30 pieces of sculpture at this writing with area available for 80. Great artists such as Rodin and Maillol are on display in the peaceful setting.

The Lena Meijer Children's Garden is a fantastic place to escape with your kids, big and little. The centerpiece of the garden is the Great Lakes display filled with water where children can float boats and splash. The five lakes are built to scale so you can understand the relationship of the lakes to each other and to the states surrounding them. The tree house and story telling area and fossil gardens are all fun for kids. Your little ones will learn about gardening, wildlife and nature in the Great Lakes area and not even realize they are learning by playing in this beautiful area.

Don't leave without seeing the Michigan Farm Garden. This 1930's family farm includes a replica of an 1880's farmhouse, 100 year old barn, animal pens with bronze sculptures of the animals such as a pig, goat, sheep and horse, and an heirloom plant vegetable garden. Sitting in a rocker on the front porch of the house is one of the most peaceful experiences you will remember. And don't forget to sniff all the roses in the rose garden.

Plan to spend at least 4 hours touring the gardens and more depending on your interests.

Concerts are held in the Amphitheater Garden during the summer. Check the website for the schedule.

Reader Feedback 

Auduhomes This is a great lens! One of the best I've seen about Michigan. I just started on Squidoo this week. You've done a great job of promoting our communities. If you're out & about, I'd appreciate your thoughts on: http://www.squidoo.com/grandrapidsrealestate. Thanks Posted March 01, 2008

Vanderstelt Nice lens, Janet, I just started a new travel Michigan website and ran across your lens, want to come and work for me. You could help drive trafic with your knowledge. Posted February 06, 2008

jtpratt very nice lens - I give it 5 stars! please visit my lens and let me know what you think as well: Designer Handbag Whores Posted November 30, 2007

jeffwend Great lens, I live in West Michigan too. I grew up in metro Detroit, moved to the West side for School and I haven't turned back. I really prefer the pace of life here in West Mi. Posted November 20, 2007

LisaLogan Great lens, Janet! Thanks for posting the link on the Muse Online Writer's Conference! Posted October 14, 2007

 

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