Munising, Michigan – 4th of July Events Schedule

• At 8:30 am, Fun Run
• 10:00 am, Flag Raising at Veterans Memorial
• 12:30 am, Independence Day Parade with We The People theme, (Route: Visit www.munisingjuly4th.com)
• 1:45 pm, Watermelon Eating Contest
• 3:30 pm, Pet Parade
• 4:30 pm, Water Fight at Munising Volunteer Fire Department on Elm Avenue
• 5:30 pm, Grease Pole at City Pier
• 8:00 pm, Egg Toss
• 10:30 pm (Dark), Fireworks

Food and entertainment all day at Bay Shore Park where most of above events will be held.

Ishpeming 4th of July Schedule

• 9:00 a.m. – Flag Raising Ceremony with 21 Gun Salute 9:30am  at Memorial Park by the Post Office
• 10:00 a.m. -  Kids Parade from the Mather Inn,  south on Main Street from Canada to Division, and ends with balloon launch and goody bags.
• 10:30 a.m. -  4th of July Parade
• 11:15 a.m. – After parade, Veterans Reception at Ishpeming VFW Post 4573 (310 Bank Street).
• Noon – Community Picnic with food vendors, kids games, inflatable slides, ponies and entertainment by Slamtones, Shotgun Kelli and State 51.
• 9:00 p.m. -  Blue Notes Concert  at Al Quaal Recreation Area
• 10:00 p.m. (dusk) - Fireworks

Marquette 4th of July – Independence Day Schedule

Marquette - Monday July 4th, 2011

Events start 8:00 am with  Sunrise Dog Dash at Picnic Rocks, rain or shine.

8:00 am the American Legion Post 44 (700 West Bluff Street) hosts the Volunteer Breakfast.

At 10:00 am the American Legion Baseball Game will be held at Legion Field

Decorated Bike Rodeo/Contest, 10:00 am,  takes place at Lakeview Arena

Honoring Veterans,  11:00 am,  Veterans’ Memorial Re-Dedication at Harlow Park

1:00 pm, Texaco Country Showdown at the International Food Festival in Lower Harbor Park – Learn More @ http://wfxd.com/featured/showdown/4022/win-1000-00-singing-upper-peninsula-texaco-country-showdowns/ and http://wfxd.com/category/featured/showdown/

2:00 pm, Marquette 4th of July  Parade, starting at McClellan & Washington St., proceeds down Washington Street, and ends at 3rd Steet and Baraga  Avenue (route: http://marquettejuly4th.org/paradedetails.htm)

Fireman’s Competition kicks off in  Lower Harbor park at 4:30 pm.

At 9:30 pm, at dusk, local boat line up in Lower Harbor for the annual Boat Parade.

10:00 pm, or dark, Marquette Fireworks at Lower Harbor.  5th July set as Rain Date.

Courtesy of WFXD.com

Doug Kozeluh and Manny Rhoades fight the strong currents.

Windy and miserable for a journalist. Perfect for a surfer. These guys had been waiting all winter for the ice to melt.

I caught up with Manny Rhoades and Doug Kozeluh before they waded out into the bitterly cold waters of Lake Superior. Ready to tackle great waves caused by the windy weather, they were stoked to finally be out on their first surf of the year.

The ice has melted away from the shoreline and there were waves to be conquered. But Manny and Doug had to forfeit their attempt at one beach due to strong currents, so I followed them to another area.

The "smoother" side of Lake Superior

Plenty of surfers were already lined up to catch a wave as Manny and Doug navigated through the more forgiving waters. I could tell these surfers would be out in that bitter cold as long as their 7mm wetsuit would allow. Following them from one beach to the next, I compared them to tornado chasers: eager to dive head-first into danger with a thrill and a smile as the prize.

With winter on its way out, it’s great to see the lake filled with people again. But there’s something about Great Lakes surfers that always draws my attention. Maybe it’s because I never thought surfing existed on the Lakes until a few friends of mine picked up the sport. Or, I think it’s really because surfing the Great Lakes is like living on Hermosa Beach without all of the California lifestyle.

Surfing Lake Superior is a U.P. thing. Rarely will a tourist make the trip through hundreds of miles of state forest just to get the opportunity to freeze your face off and battle the currents of Lake Superior. These surfers are the real deal.

So, one of these windy days as you drive down Lakeshore, take a glance out on the lake. You’ll probably see Manny, Doug or any of their fellow surfers riding a Superior wave. And not just riding it, but enjoying every minute of it.

Written by Brian Downing
Brian Downing is an employee of Great Lakes Radio, Inc. Click Here for more info.

What a time everyone had at the 2011 Trenary Outhouse Classic! With live updates on AM 1400 WQXO, even people who couldn’t make it to Trenary were updated with news and interviews. Check below for our photos and video of the 2011 Trenary Outhouse Classic!

The winners for the adult categories are as follows:

Stinkers (Age: 21-35):  1st) The Skandia Boys | 2nd) Yooper Energy Drink | 3rd) The Troll Hole Turd-Cutter

Da Dab Its (36-49): 1st) Wallace Pub | 2nd) Handyman Paul | 3rd) It Fell Off the Truck

Old Farts (50+): 1st) Crappy Old Ice Agers | 2nd) Frankfart Toilet Tanker | 3rd) The Big House

The $500 drawing winner: John Davis

The People’s Choice: Da Fishin’ Hole

Furthest Travel: Fartin’ Spartans (San Diego, CA)

Here are the photos taken at the 2011 Trenary Outhouse Classic:

Photo Gallery!