The Glen Arbor Fourth of July parade, which next Thursday will celebrate half a century of annual patriotic celebrations, has come a long way since fire trucks were wrapped in primitive, spray-painted bedsheets. This year’s parade leaves Glen Haven at noon and typically arrives in Glen Arbor around 12:30. Spectators are encouraged to stake out a spot by mid-morning, as this event attracts hordes of people.
The National Park Service at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will host a book signing with Anna Egan Smucker, author of the children’s book To Keep The South Manitou Light, at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center on Tuesday, July 2 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Homestead Resort invites you to settle in for four evenings of spectacular entertainment and unparalleled views during its summer 2013 Mountain Top Concert series. Guitarist and composer Ron Getz kicks off the series on Thursday, June 27. He has performed with a variety of jazz greats, including Arthur Blythe, Billy Hart, John Scofield, Steve Grossman, Bill Evans, Branford Marsalis and Marvin “Smitty” Smith (from the Jay Leno Tonight Show Band).
Chicago-based graphic artist David Westerfield says he “paints what I like.” And what he likes is Leelanau County’s stunning landscapes, rustic buildings and historic places. An exhibition of Westerfield’s many likes opens June 28 at Center Gallery, 6023 S. Lake St., Glen Arbor.
The 50th annual Glen Arbor Fourth of July Parade will be here soon, and the Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce reports that volunteers are needed to help on the parade route. Duties include making sure kids stay off the course, as well as sweeping candy to the sides of the road. The parade starts around noon and travels from Glen Haven through Glen Arbor. It should last about an hour. If you are able to volunteer, please stop by the Art’s Tavern “Annex” (which sells t-shirts & Art’s products) to pick up your course marshal t-shirt.
The Empire Area Community Emergency Fund has gone into overdrive. Instead of the usual Sunday afternoon concert at a local venue, organizers Gerry Shiffman and Chris Skellenger have planned a day-long Summer Solstice Celebration for this Sunday, June 23, from noon until 9 p.m. at Empire’s Johnson Park. Two stages will feature continuous live music performed by 29 talented local musicians who have volunteered to support this effort.
The Leelanau Summer Music Festival opens its 2013 season at the intimate Sala Koncertowa concert hall in Holy Rosary School 2.5 miles north of Cedar with the renowned Verdehr Trio, which will perform on Wednesday, June 19, at 8 p.m.
On the Summer Solstice, Friday, June 21 at 7 p.m., the Cuban salsa band Grupo Aye will perform on the banks of the Crystal River at the Leelanau School, north of Glen Arbor. After entertaining an enthusiastic crowd of all ages there last June, Grupo Aye will return this year to “Rock the River”.
Endurance Evolution, the local marathon facilitator spearheaded by high school buddies Joel Gaff and Eric Houghton, will hold two races in Leelanau County this month to benefit good causes. On Saturday, June 15, athletes can run the Glen Arbor Solstice Half Marathon and 5K before the town’s BBQ and Brew festival, to benefit the Glen Arbor Park Commission.
The Summer Singers, sponsored by the Glen Arbor Art Association, are looking for new singers to join the group. The choir of 60 plus singers under the direction of Northport resident, Patrick Kuhl, rehearses every Tuesday beginning June 18 from 7-9 p.m. at the Glen Lake Reformed Church in Burdickville. A concert, part of the Manitou Music Festival, will be held Tuesday, August 13. There are no auditions. All are welcome. For more information, call Karen at (231) 334-3730.