July 4th Celebrations in St. Joseph, Michigan

St. Joseph, in the southwest corner of Michigan, on the shores of Lake Michigan is the perfect Fourth of July destination. About ninety minutes away from Chicago, and only about fifty minutes away from South Bend or Kalamazoo, it's just a one tank of gas car ride - and when you get there the parking is free! Be sure to start your visit at the St. Joe Today Welcome Center, where a warm welcome and plenty of information is on hand for the whole crew. This clean, family friendly place is easy to find on the corner of Ship and State Streets.

Then, take in this year's outdoor art display, aptly named "Boats and Beaches." Throughout the downtown area tiny tugboats, clever canoes and signature sailboats have been decorated by talented community artists. From the wild to the whimsical, you will want to inspect each of the thirty vessels closely for they are rich in detail. Another walkable art treat is the "Sculpt-tour" mainly along the bluff overlooking the lake. You can find maps for both of these tours at the Welcome Center.

New this year for the Fourth of July is a Youth Parade. The parade is scheduled to start at 10 AM, and will make its way through the downtown area on State Street. Children of all ages are encouraged to decorate their bikes, wagons or just come in costume to take part in the parade. The theme is "Lighthouses," in honor of the 100^th Anniversary of the Lighthouse on the mouth of the St. Joseph River. The parade will end at the municipal bandshell with a family friendly puppet show.

A trip to the beach is a must while visiting St. Joseph. Both Lions' Beach and Silver Beach are within walking distance from downtown. They both have the lovely silken sands that are common to the Michigan shoreline of Lake Michigan. It's the perfect place for swimming sunbathing, building sandcastles and picnicking. And after the sun goes down - fireworks will light up the sky!

But before the fireworks, which are scheduled to begin at 10:45 PM, you may want to catch the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra at the Shadowland Pavilion near the south pier. This outdoor concert is a lovely tradition that should not be missed. The lawn is as soft as a carpet, so I suggest just bring a beach blanket and lay back and relax. When the patriotic medley of tunes finishes, you will find yourself in the perfect spot to view the fireworks over the lake.

One of the best things about Independence Day this year, is that it is on a Friday. When the fireworks die down at the end of a fun packed day, you still have two more weekend days to enjoy! In St. Joseph, wake up Saturday morning with a trip to the Farmers Market and conclude your weekend visit to Antiques on the Bluff on Sunday.

The Farmer's Market is located on Broad Street and runs from 9 AM to 2 PM. Cherries should be in season at that time, along with plenty of fresh vegetables. Antiques on the Bluff are a giant outdoor market of furniture and collectibles at reasonable prices, and it is open from 10 AM to 3 PM the first Sunday of the month. For, of course, Sunday, July 6 will be the first Sunday of the month. And what a month! For the glorious three day weekend celebrating our country's independence is just the beginning. Not only are the hazy, crazy, lazy beach days of summer really here - but there's more! St Joseph in July boast two more festivals: The Krasl Art Fair (July 12 & 13) and the Venetian Festival (July 17 - 20). For more information about all these events, be sure to visit www. sjtoday.org.