July is full of events and festivals. And one of the first big one goes through the weekend in Gaylord, AlpenFest. There are also numerous art fairs to help you get a jump start on your Christmas shopping (yes I said that!). And one of the most exciting boat events of the year, Boyne Thunder is this weekend too. Summer flies by fast, so enjoy every day!
Find your lederhosen and head to Gaylord for the last few days of AlpenFest. Friday starts off with a pancake breakfast at 9am, the pet parade at 11am, Alpine Idol Finals at 1pm, line dancing class at 3pm and the Family Tradition Band at 8pm. And Saturday, it’s a full day with the Farmers Market at 8am, Alpenfest Run at 7:30am, Grand Parade at noon, Petoskey Steel Drum Band at 1:30, the Katy Perry Experience at 7pm. There are other events happening too, get the complete schedule at GaylordAlpenFest.com
If you love art fairs, this weekend includes the 55th Annual Charlevoix Arts and Craft Show, July 13 10a-6pm and July 14 10a-4pm at East Park. This show is a great mix of fine art and hobby crafts. If you’re looking more for crafts, the Emmet County Craft Fair is Saturday, July 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 at the Emmet County Fairgrounds. And the Elk Rapids Craft Show is Saturday from 10-4pm. With over 70 vendors displaying their art and wares in the village on River Street.
History comes alive this weekend at Shay Days in Harbor Springs. The Harbor Springs Area Historical Society puts on its 26th annual Shay Days celebration of Ephraim Shay, famous for his patented, geared locomotive. You’ll get to see live model steam trains, historic toys and games, logging demonstrations, interactive electric train layouts, and more! Visit Shay Park and the History Museum between 10am-3pm each day.
If you’d like to take a trip back in time to the 1960’s, check out the Gentlemen of Motown, a tribute to the Temptations and the Four Tops. The show is full of songs you’ll sing a long with from Pappa Was a Rolling Stone and My Girl to Can’t Help Myself and Bernadette. The show is Friday night at the City Opera House. Get tickets at cityoperahouse.org
And the boats are back, it’s Boyne Thunder weekend. See the boats Friday night at the marina in Boyne City and watch the power as they leave Boyne City, pass through the channel in Charlevoix, then out into Lake Michigan for the poker run. Then they come back through Charlevoix, ending in Boyne City again. The boats are beautiful, colorful and loud. It’s a sight to see for sure! Get more info at BoyneThunder.com
