Imagining Muskegon

I just have to tell you, Muskegon…

Christmas and pirates and America and boats ... Put 'em all together and you get shiny, happy people.

I’m proud of you (and Oceana County). Very proud of you. This past weekend, you managed to draw in people from all over the country, and when they got here, you wowed ’em. Did I have any doubt? Nah. But it’s good to see you start believing in yourself and showing the world what you’ve got to offer…

People from near and far are raving about the Electric Forest Festival in Rothbury. This is really no surprise, not only because it’s an awesome festival, but the setting is pretty darn amazing, too… Even though this area is known for its amazing beaches in the summer, the woods also blow people away. I’ve always loved the woods, but gained a whole new appreciation once I moved away…

For the locals, Muskegon RockStock and Muskegon Art in the Park provided quality, cheap entertainment and free people-watching … And for anyone who happened to make it down to the channel or anywhere on or along Muskegon Lake, the Muskegon Lake Effect Lights Boater Cruise brought the party. It also brought landlubbers and sailors together in a way that’s hard to do …

How did it do that? By parading boats decked out in lights close to the shore, dancing and waving at people along the shore – who danced and waved back – and cranking up the music and the “Love Muskegon!” chants. If you missed this, Muskegon, you’ll definitely want to check it out next year, or if it’s done again this summer … I’ll let ya know if happens again in the next few months …

I have a question for you, Muskegon: What can be better than hanging out by, or on, the water, getting to know your neighbors and feeling the highly positive vibes of people promoting your area while trying something new, all while feeling the cool breeze on a warm summer night while the sky transitions to night with brilliant colors from the setting sun? If you have an answer, please leave it in a comment, because I definitely need to experience whatever it is…

Of course, the blue-green Lake Michigan and the sparkling blue Muskegon Lake, with the gorgeous, spacious, sugar-sand beaches played their part in making the weekend spectacular, drawing colorful umbrellas, towels, and bathing suits … and oh, those sunsets. They really are one-of-a-kind amazing, each and every night…

I’ve got some good news, Muskegon: We’ve got another week of long days before us to enjoy this amazing place, with a holiday smack dab in the middle. Then, it’s another weekend…

See ya somewhere gorgeous, doing something memorable.

--Imaginer