Two events celebrating the best of Muskegon that you WON'T want to miss...

Photo courtesy of Lake Effect Boat Time.

Ya know, Muskegon, you’ve got a lot of great attributes, and many more potential attributes, but the best thing about you is and always will be the water. The world changes as you get closer to the coastline, whether it’s the big lake, one of the inland lakes, or the river … It becomes more serene and more exciting at the same time. Life slows down but life energy is renewed…

I’ve found that the one thing that can be difficult is actually feeling a part of this water-world if you don’t have a watercraft. Sure, you can swim (when the water warms up), but there’s only so far you can go … leaving you to wonder what it’s really like out there.

It’s amazing, Muskegon. I’ve met some very generous friends who have taken me out on the waters and it really is a different world – not just because you’re away from the everyday, the usual, the reality you’ve come to know, but because you feel a sense of tight-knit community. People always wave and greet each other, and if a boat is in trouble, there’s no question that passersby are going to stop and help … And you get a new view on life and your city (both literally and figuratively)…
 

Summer Sailstice

This Saturday, you can experience this for free - and I very highly recommend you do it. Torreson Marina will give out free sailboat rides with experienced sailors Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. as part of Summer Sailstice, an annual event celebrating the boating lifestyle. (You to need to call and schedule a time with Judi Shedd at (231) 759-8596.) This is the second local Summer Sailstice. The best part? You don’t need a boat – or to be on a boat – to enjoy the lifestyle. 

“If people want to veg out by the dunes at the Muskegon State Park area, there will be a cannon shoot-off at solar noon just before our noon,” said Roger Zuidema, creator of the local event. “It’s also really beautiful from the Muskegon Lake beach near Pere Marquette – that’s a really great place to view the whole scenario.”

The scenario involves dozens of boats sailing Muskegon Lake to celebrate one of the longest days of summer. Torreson, Muskegon Yacht Club, and Great Lakes Marina area all participating in the event, so there should be some impressive and colorful boats out.

“On any given Saturday, there’s about 95 boats out there – we’re hoping for not only sailboats, but a big show on the lake with the Sailstice,” Mr. Zuidema said.

The scene will most definitely be photo-worthy – and organizers of the local Summer Sailstice are holding a Facebook photo contest for anyone who wants to participate. Just tag your favorite photos to Summer Sailstice on Facebook.

If you’re looking for an affordable dining experience, Muskegon Yacht Club will hold an open house for the public with an buffet for just $7 per person. There also will be an open bar.

As evening descends, organizers are hoping for “a bunch of boats in the breakwater cove,” Mr. Zuidema said.

Parade of Lights

Speaking of evenings and boats, the event I’m most excited for this summer is coming up in 10 days: The Muskegon Lake Effects Boater Cruise. This will be a nighttime boat parade … and lighted boat parades are Amazing. Seriously amazing. Nighttime parades on land are so much better than regular parades – and nighttime water parades are even better…

Roger Zuidema is organizing this one, too, and he’s shooting for 20 boats … If you’ve got a boat, you can still join – and you should! If you don’t have a boat, there will be plenty of good viewing points, including the channel, the Muskegon Lakeshore Trail, and The Lake House Waterfront Grille/Shore Line Inn … The boats will start at the breakwater cove near Pere Marquette beach 20 minutes after sunset and continue past Muskegon Yacht Club, Balcom’s Cove, Great Lakes Marina, and Torreson Marina to end at the Shoreline Inn. A route map will be posted on the Lake Effect Boating website.

“It’s one of those things the whole community can really rally around,” Mr. Zuidema said. “It’s the Saturday night before the 4^th of july, and we’re hoping to make that a great tradition for Muskegon.”
 

It’s a popular tradition in other cities, bringing loads of people out year after year. There’s just something about the water, the lights, the breeze, the community …

See ya there, Muskegon. But first, see ya out enjoying the Summer Sailstice…

--Imaginer