How to Have the Perfect 4th of July in Petoskey
The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays. The warm weather, festive atmosphere, and anticipation of fireworks give the whole day a sense of celebration and fun. After seventeen summers spent in Petoskey, my family has mastered the formula for a perfect holiday. With these tips and tricks, your Fourth of July can be just as foolproof.
Here is how to have the perfect 4th of July in Petoskey:
What should you pack?
– Food and water are monumental for keeping everyone in your party satisfied throughout the festivities. Many restaurants are open, but the wait can get pretty long. Bringing easy foods like sandwiches, cheese and crackers, chips and salsa, and fruits and veggies will give you simple snacks to munch on while waiting for fireworks. Some people even bring a grill out and have burgers and hot dogs by the bay.
– Bring bug spray and sun screen. Nobody wants to wake up after a fun day to a sun burn and bug bites. If you aren’t a fan of the smell of bug spray, Grandpa Shorter’s sells bug-repelling blankets and bandanna’s downstairs in Trapper’s Cabin.
– Nights in Northern Michigan can get fairly chilly, so sweatshirts and blankets are always a good idea.
– Especially if you have kids, bringing a ball or Frisbee can provide hours of entertainment. Grandpa Shorter’s has Beamo Flying Hoops and Skylight Rockets for sale that would add more variety than a soccer ball or playground ball. When it gets dark, Sparklers and Glow Sticks are a lot of fun for everyone.
What should you do?
– Watch the parade. The parade starts at Petoskey High School at 6pm and winds its way through downtown to Pennsylvania Park. Make sure to find a place to sit or stand early so that you can get a good view. If you have kids, having a baggie to collect candy and other goodies is always a good idea.
– Check out the entertainment. Tommy Tropic and Friends’ Busker Mania will be in Pennsylvania Park from 4pm-6pm as pre-parade entertainment. Later, Yankee Station will be playing on the promenade, and Natural Reaction will be playing at Festival Place, which is behind the fire station.
– Watch the vintage baseball game at 7:30pm at Ed White Field, the baseball diamond right at the waterfront.
– Watch the sunset over the bay. Petoskey is known for its Million Dollar Sunsets and around 9:30, a spot by the water is sure to have a beautiful view of the setting sun.
– Find the perfect spot for watching fireworks. Bay Front Park is a popular spot for firework watching, as you can see the firework shows from Petoskey and Harbor Springs at the same time. My family has made a tradition of watching from the outfield of Ed White Field.
With that, I wish you a safe, happy, and fun Fourth of July.
