July Is Exploding With Great Events!

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Summer is officially here and it’s a great time to get out and enjoy all that Mecosta County has to offer. It is hard to believe that not only is the 4th of July right around corner, but also many great summer events, celebrations and festivals.

The Big Rapids Lions Club and the Mecosta County Convention & Visitors Bureau, are excited to be bringing back the very popular and exciting Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival to the downtown Big Rapids Bandshell on Saturday, July 6, 2019.

If you haven’t purchased your tickets there’s stilltime. They are available for just $12.00 each, until July 3, at the Old Pioneer Store & Emporium, Three Girls Bakery, Quinn’s Music, Mecosta County CVB or online at Bigrapids.org/BluesFest for $13.00(includes processing fee). Tickets will be availablethe day of the event for $15.00 each. Kids 10 years and under are free. Portions of the proceeds will go to the Big Rapids Lions Club in support of the many great charities they help.

This amazing day of musical entertainment will start off with a salute to our dedicated military personnel who have, or are currently, serving in our armed forces.  A parade by the AMVETS 1941 Motorcycle Group will start the event out followed by a Flag Presentation and Dedication of the Colors made by the Big Rapids American Legion Post #98, God Bless America will be sung by Dan Terry and the National Anthem being sung by local talent Allison Leveque.

The musical lineup for the day is nothing short of spectacular. Enjoy the Ohio based Soul Men, a Blues Brothers tribute, with backup band Paradise, that will serve as the events MC’s while adding their own unique flavor of entertainment.

Popular and local musical group, the Darrell Marvel Band will be featuring and playing Bluesy renditions of your favorite classic tunes. 

Chicago Rock and Blues singer, Lauren Wolf and The Lauren Wolf Band, are everything that made pure rock artists like Janis Joplin timelessly successful. The Lauren Wolf Band were winners of the 2012 Live Nation’s National Battle of the Bands and have played to sold out crowds at famous venues such as The House of Blues in Chicago.

Rick Hicks and the Rick Hicks Blues Band from Muskegon will be providing a flavorful mix of Blues and Motown sounds perfect for dancing the afternoon away. This versatile guitarist and vocalists performs in the styles of BB King, Wes Montgomery and Albert King.  Rick and his band are a mix of high-energy Blues, Funk, Soul, Motown, Jazz and yes, a little bit of Rock and Roll.

Rounding out the evening will be the internationally known and award winning Blues performer Sharrie Williams.  Known as “The Princess of Rockin Gospel Blues”, Williams has to her credit Five Albums, performed in over 30 countries, is the recipient of the Academie du Jazz Blues Album of the year award as well as being noted as one of the greatest living voices in music such as the likes of Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Pattie LaBelle and Natalie Cole.

Of course there will be plenty of your favorite brews and BBQ to enjoy throughout the day as well. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and friends for an amazing day of musical entertainment. No coolers please.

Fourth of July celebrations are abundant in Mecosta County. Kick off the celebration of our country’s independence at the Village of Mecosta’s 4th of July Celebration on Thursday July 4 with a parade at 11:00am, lineup at 10:30am. Parade begins at S. Franklin and ends near the village hall. Fireworks will begin at dusk (apx. 10:00pm).

The Barryton Independence Day Celebration is also on the 4th with a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence at the American Legion beginning at 12:00pm with a hot dog roast to follow.

The Tri-Lakes will host a Boat Parade on the 4th at the north end of Lake Mecosta and begins at 4:00pm.

Don’t miss the 4th of July downtown Big Rapids Parade at 6:00pm, line up is at 5:00pm. The parade will begin at Big Rapids City Hall on Michigan Ave. Participation fee is just $10.00. If you are interested in participating you can register online at bryacees.com. At dusk, the Big Rapids Jaycees will present fireworks at the Mecosta County Fairgrounds. Parking opens at 6:30pm at the Fairgrounds and Roben-Hood Airport for just $5.00. The Fairgrounds will be full of great activites, events and food starting at 7:00pm.

Celebrations continue on Saturday, July 6, with the Canadian Lakes 5K Fun Run/Walk located at 10690 Pierce Road and starting at 8:30am –11:30am. Contact Lee Wolken at 231.972.7756 to register and for more details.

The Chippewa Lakes Lions Club will be hosting the Lions Find the Flags on the Lake - Poker Run Saturday, July 6, from 9:00am - 4:00pm on Chippewa Lake. Contact Bob Roebuck at 231.972.8885 for more details. Later that evening enjoy fireworks at dusk on the lake.

Sarns Resort in Morley will also be featuring an Independence Celebration from 7:00pm-11:00pm with Fireworks at dusk. Call 231.823.2233 with questions.

July is also everyone’s favorite time of year at the Mecosta County Free Fair. Exhibits are open on Saturday, July 6 and livestock weigh-in on Sunday, July 7. Some of the highlights include; Harness Racing, Rotary Club Chicken BBQ, Kids Pedal Pull, Truck and Tractor Pulls, Off Road and Figure 8 Racing, Super Kicker Rodeo and more!

For all the details on the 2019 Mecosta County Fair either visit them online at mecostacountyfreefair.com or pick up your free County Fair book at area businesses, including the Mecosta County CVB and Welcome Center at 127 S. State Street, Big Rapids.

Remus Heritage Days is July 19 - 21 with crafts, vendors, parade, children’s activites, truck Pulls, car Show and more. Visit their Facebook page at Remus Heritage Days for complete details on this exciting, family fun weekend.

STAGE-M presents Little Shop of Horrors at the Big Rapids High School July 25-27 with performances beginning at 7:30pm and July 28 at 2:30pm.

Seymour Krelborn is a meek and dejected assistant at a floral shop who happens upon a strange plant, which he affectionately names “Audrey II” after his crush at the shop. Little does he know that this strange and unusual plant will develop a soulful R&B voice, a potty mouth, and an unquenchable thirst for human blood. As Audrey II grows bigger and meaner, the carnivorous plant promises limitless fame and fortune to Seymour, as long as he continues providing a fresh supply of blood. Just when it’s too late, Seymour discovers Audrey II’s extra-terrestrial origins and his true drive for world domination. Tickets are just $16.00 for adults and Students for $8.00 and are available at Patterson’s Flowers, The Old Pioneer Store and Emporium, Mecosta County Convention and Visitors Bureau, by calling 231.592.8499, or online at www.stage-m.org.

It’s hard to believe, but this is just a small example of all of the great and exciting happenings occurring in Mecosta County this July. For a complete list of What’s Happening in Mecosta County be sure and visit the Mecosta County CVB website at BigRapids.org and click on our Community Events Calendar, Annual Events or Things To Do Tabs.

We hope you enjoy creating your own July adventure here in beautiful Mecosta County!

Connie Koepke – Executive Director Mecosta County Convention & Visitors Bureau – Your official tourism resource for Mecosta County

211 Maple Street • Big Rapids, MIwww.bergelinmurphy.com

July has arrived and we have until the end of the

month to pack as much summer fun as possible

into our days. August will be here soon enough,

the summer will wind down and turn into getting

ready for the kids to go back to school.

 It’s easy to find out what is going on in Mecosta

County by visiting the Mecosta County Convention

and Visitors Bureau website at BigRapids.org

where you will see literally hundreds of activities

happening in our community. It makes it easy for

you to plan family activities and get the most out

of stay-cations or summer get-a-way days.

 I would like to point out a few Band of Locals

businesses that are great places to visit and enjoy!

I encourage you to venture to these businesses as

part of your summer fun.

 The Winery at Young Farms is located at 8396

70th Avenue in Mecosta Michigan. It’s a scenic

drive to this wonderful piece of Mecosta heaven

and a great place for enjoying good wine and

ciders with friends or family. Their wine and cider

tasting room is open Wednesday-Saturday from

1:00pm-9:00pm. Every Thursday they have live

music starting at 5 pm. For your convenience here

is the list of musicians playing: June 27: Randy, Local GuitaristJuly 11: Gary and Bill, Local Guitarists

July 18: Kristen Kuiper, MusicianJuly 25: Kasey Thren, Local GuitaristAugust 1: Tony Rodgers, Local GuitaristAugust 8: Local Hammer Dulcimer Mom/Daughter

duo: Deb and Erin GorbyAugust 15: Gary and Bill, Local GuitaristsAugust 22: Kristen Kuiper, MusicianAugust 29: Kasey Thren, Local Guitarist

 If this isn’t enough to peak your interest they also

have Food Truck Friday every Friday night! Below is

a list of the different food venues they will have on

site for each date. I would like to remind you that

Friday evenings there will be no wine tasting, only

by the glass from 5:00pm-9:00pm.June 28: Dog CentralJuly 5: John Reynolds, Brick Oven PizzaJuly 12: Maxon’s Blue Country BBQJuly 19: John Reynolds, Brick Oven PizzaJuly 26: Cruisin’ ChefAugust 2: Hearty HarvestAugust 9: John Reynolds, Brick Oven PizzaAugust 16: Maxon’s Blue Country BBQAugust 23: John Reynolds, Brick Oven PizzaAugust 30: Cruisin’ Chef

 To give you a little idea about the food trucks that

are featured at Young Farms Winery. We want to

share with you a few of the food truck vendors and

what they are about. Maxon’s Blue Country BBQ

was a hit at first bite last year and they are back

again serving anything from tacos to sandwiches

to ribs! Cruisin Chef is here for the first time and

they are known for their great burgers and street

fare menu. John Reynolds, Pizza Brick Oven was

an amazing hit last year as well. If you were lucky

enough to taste his pizza last year, you know why

they invited him back this year!

 Another wonderful winery to visit and enjoy is

Heavenly Vineyards located at 15946 Jefferson

Road, Morley. This family owned boutique winery

produces and bottles their wine on site. Their

Summer and Fall tasting hours are Wednesday-

Saturday from 1:00am-5:15pm and Sunday

12:00pm -5:15pm. Heavenly Vineyards offers a

large variety of wines and ciders. Some of the

varieties that you may enjoy include: Tart Cherry

Wine, Rhubarb Wine, Lemon Wine, Jase, and

dozens of other unique, wonderful wines. The

hard ciders are offered in refillable Growlers and

include flavors such as Mixed Berry, Strawberry

Pear, Spiced Apple, and Cherry. There are bound to

be flavors you’ll enjoy of either beverage choice!

 A neat place to take the family to camp and fish

is at Shooltz’s Landing and Campground at 16621

65th Avenue in Mecosta, MI. You can call them to

make reservations at 989-382-5596. They offer

weekly and daily camping rates as well as pontoon

rentals. Overall, a wonderful place to get away and

enjoy nature with your family.

 Before I finish this July article I want to remind

you that our local Mecosta County Fair is Monday,

July 8th through Saturday, July 13th. You will see

a lot of BOL’s vendors and community members

working and helping as it is a wonderful event

that all of us look forward to every year.

Don’t forget to mark your calendar for the Blues,

Brews & BBQ Festival that will be held at the

Bandshell at Hemlock Park on Saturday, July 6,

from 1:00pm-10:00 pm. The Big Rapids Lions Club

and the Mecosta County Convention and Visitors

Bureau are hosting this exciting event that will

feature an amazing day and evening of musical

entertainment from local artists to Chicago Rock

and Blues singers. There will be plenty of local

food and beverages so don’t forget to pick up your

tickets before they are all sold! Contact 231-796-

7640 for more information.

 And one other thing to note, it’s the 150th All

Class Reunion Block Party on Saturday, August

3rd and it’s going to be held downtown on

Michigan Avenue with food, beer and live

entertainment. The schedule is a cash bar that

opens at 5:00 pm. and the barbecue dinner is

served by the Blue Cow, the cost for this is $20.00

and you must purchase ahead of time by going on

line to brhsalumni.com or contacting Pat Currie. If

you choose not to have dinner, the entertainment

is free and you are welcome to come and enjoy.

At 7:00 pm we will be honoring the distinguished

Alumni Award to Rick Steinke, Class of ’74 and

at 7:30pm-11:00pm live music and dancing will

begin.

 Summer’s Short! Ready…Set….GO!

Carlleen Rose-President of The Band of Locals. Owner of Kilwins Chocolates, Fudge and Ice Cream of Big Rapids And The Old Pioneer Store and Emporium

WHAT’S HAPPENING July

Downtown Big Rapids 231-796-5881 SchubergAgency.com

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• Club Closed July 4th.• Golf outing 8/17 at Clear Lake Golf Course, pre-registration and payment required,

sign up at the club, $65.00/per player with steak dinner at Eagles at 4 pm.• Casino bus trip September 28-29, $160.00 based on double occupancy, $80.00

deposit at time of sign up, remainder due 9/4/19• AED/First Aid/CPR day training on 8/10, $60/person, pre-registration required