Communities in Benzie County observe Independence Day

FROM STAFF REPORTS

BENZIE COUNTY — Residents of Benzie County will not be lacking options in terms of Fourth of July celebrations this year.

The communities of Frankfort-Elberta, Beulah and Lake Ann will offer a variety of family-friendly activities throughout Independence Day weekend.

Frankfort and Beulah will be punctuated by traditional July 4 festivities, such as a parade and fireworks display, while the Village of Lake Ann will be putting on its 21st annual Lake Ann Homecoming, which is infused with the history of the area.

Wherever residents and visitors decide to stop, they’ll be sure to find something to do this Fourth of July.

Frankfort:

Frankfort’s annual Fourth of July celebration will begin at 9 a.m. on July 1 with the posting of the first clue for the Annual Medallion Hunt.

A new clue will be posted each morning until the Medallion is found. The clues can be obtained at the Frankfort-Elberta Area Chamber of Commerce. The winner will receive a check for $150.

July 2 is opening day of the Schmidt Amusements Carnival, which will run every day through July 5.

Discount advance tickets are on sale now through the opening of the carnival on July 2 at the chamber office in downtown Frankfort. The carnival will open at 10 a.m. each day.

On July 4, the day’s activities will begin with the Decorated Bike judging in the Graceland Fruit parking lot at 9:30 a.m., leading into the parade at 10 a.m.

The chamber’s Art in the Park will be held in Mineral Springs Park from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and the Frankfort Lion’s Club will be holding their annual Chicken Barbecue starting at noon.

After the parade until 1 p.m., the First Congregational Church will hold their annual Koegel Hot Dog Sale.

To take part in the Sand Sculpture Contest on Lake Michigan Beach at noon, participants need only bring tools, sunscreen and their imaginations down to the right of the pier. Judging will be held at 3 p.m.

As always, to enhance the fireworks at dusk, 3-D glasses will be available for purchase at the chamber office and on the beach.

Also as a fundraiser, the chamber will be selling glow necklaces and glow eyeglasses. There are no glass bottles, fireworks, or pets allowed on the beach on July 4.

Benzie Bus will provide a free shuttle throughout the weekend.

For information about donating to the fireworks fund, visit: http://www.frankfort-elberta.com/index.php?option=com_civicrm&view=Contributions&Itemid=1048.

For general information, please visit the Frankfort-Elberta Area Chamber of Commerce Office at 517 Main St. downtown Frankfort, call (231) 352-7251 or go to www.frankfort-elberta.com.

Beulah:

The Crystal Lake Firecracker 5K begins the Fourth of July celebrations in Beulah. The registration fee for the event is $20 through 7 p.m. on July 2 and $25 on race day.

Pre-registration will be held at the Beach Pavilion in Beulah from 5-7 p.m. on July 3. Race day registration is in the Village Park in downtown Beulah from 6:45-7:45 a.m. The 5K starts promptly at 8 a.m. on July 4.

Custom pottery, custom glasses and medals are among the prizes awaiting the first, second and third place finishers in the various divisions of the 5K.

The walk/fun run starts at 9 a.m. Both races start and finish near the Village Park. Walk/run participants will receive a ribbon for finishing the race. The first 450 people to register will receive a free T-shirt.

Kids games and face painting in the park will begin at 10:30 a.m. Concession offerings will become available at noon.

The fun continues throughout the day with the Fourth of July parade at 1:30 p.m. in downtown Beulah, the Kids Greased Pole Climb at 2:30 p.m. in the park, a coin hunt on the beach at 3:30 p.m., and the Rubber Duck Race at

4:30 p.m. Fireworks are at dusk over Crystal Lake.

For more information about the events, visit the Benzie Chamber of Commerce Office at 826 Michigan Ave. in Benzonia, call (231) 882-5801 or visit www.benzie.org. Lodging information is also available.

For more information on the Firecracker 5K, contact Asa Kelly at (231) 930-4222 or kellya@benzieschools.net.

Lake Ann:

The community is invited to the 21st annual Lake Ann Homecoming celebration to be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in downtown Lake Ann on July 4.

Lake Ann Homecoming is a fun-filled community and family-oriented event. The opening ceremony begins at 9 a.m. in the S.S. Burnett Park in the village of Lake Ann in Benzie County, followed by an afternoon full of activities.

These include the vintage tractor parade at 11 a.m., a bake sale, the country store, a craft sale, flea market, children’s games, a cake walk, a bounce house, pony rides, live music, wagon and vintage car rides, a rifle and quilt raffle and large silent auction.

Lunch will be available in the town hall from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The Almira Historical Museum and other historical buildings will also be open for visitors.

Beginning at 10 a.m. and lasting until 1 p.m., Oscar Jaquish & Family Band will be performing. Homecoming concludes with a performance from the Betsie Bay Minstrels from 1-3 p.m.

There will be a free shuttle to and from downtown and the Almira Historical Museum, and free parking at the church parking lot downtown and vacant lot at Maple and Ann streets.

Proceeds from Homecoming benefit the Almira Historical Society, which is dedicated to preserving the heritage of Almira Township and the Village of Lake Ann.

Vendors are being sought for the craft sale and flea market. For an application, please contact Sharon at (231) 645-1186.

For more information, to volunteer to help or to donate a silent auction item, please contact Vera at (231) 275-7362 or Jean at (231) 313-1960.