What makes a vibrant community, Muskegon?

Marty the Musician ... One of many, many colorful characters in the Port City.

“The life of our city is rich in poetic and marvelous subjects. We are enveloped and steeped as though in an atmosphere of the marvelous; but we do not notice it.” --Charles Baudelaire

This was going to be a post about the Muskegon Lakeshore Trail, but I'll save that for tomorrow … Today I’ll start with the end. As in, what I found at the end of the path…

I found significant lines … of bicycles and people.

I found parking spots full … of motorcycles and cars.

I found bike shanties!

I found art on the sidewalks and live music outside the shops.

I found picnic tables and benches overflowing … with families, friends, and people on dates.

I found Ollie the Ox!

I found a welcoming and vibrant Muskegon neighborhood. An assortment of friends and strangers interacting as they strolled the sidewalks, ate their lunches, or grabbed some beers. Busy musicians and bike shanty drivers who stopped to talk to me about their callings and aspirations. A community that came out – and stayed out – to support its local businesses during “Spring Into Lakeside,” despite the dreary, sometimes rainy day. Kids painting their imaginations on the Port City sidewalks and adults dreaming of the future with each other.

The spirit of a dynamic Muskegon community.  The heart of Lakeside.

Imagine that, Muskegon. I didn’t even have to.

--Imaginer

Bike Time!

There's more than two kinds of bikes, you know :)

Coloring Muskegon...

Ollie the Ox of the Muskegon Lumberjacks ... He's real!