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Sleeping Bear Surf is proud to announce the return of Beryl Days, a heart-forward grassroots celebration honoring the spirit of freshwater, community, and joy at the doorstep of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. This unique event, held from Friday, June 20, through Sunday, June 22, in the village of Empire, invites locals and visitors alike to gather for three days of connection, education, and fun. Beryl Days (pronounced “barrel”—yes, like a barreling wave!) honors the legacy of Beryl Skrocki, founder of Sleeping Bear Surf and beloved mother, trailblazer, activist, and community leader. Beryl Days is more than an event; it’s a vibrant reminder of the power of community and our shared responsibility to protect and cherish the Great Lakes environment that fuels so much of our joy and culture.

Sleeping Bear Surf family and friends celebrated the inaugural Beryl Days on June 28 with a paddleout from the Empire lighthouse. Some carried flowers in their teeth and in their hair. The event honored Beryl Skrocki, who passed in October 2022. Photo by Beth Price

Sleeping Bear Surf & Kayak, the beloved shop in Empire, will celebrate its 20th birthday this weekend, June 28-30, with “Beryl Days”—an homage to co-founder Beryl Skrocki, who passed away in October 2022 at age 61. The business is run by her husband Frank and their children, Ella, Reiss and Annabel. Click here for the full Beryl Days lineup. And read family friend Jim Lively’s reflections on Beryl, which the Sun published in 2022.