Living in Mt. Pleasant


4TH OF JULY Festivities start July 1 at the Soaring Eagle Casino with carnival rides, games and food at its 4th of July Celebration. On July 2, be there at 2 p.m. for Monster Truck Madness, where six of the country’s high-rankers will rattle, rumble and roll on a freestyle course. There will be current world freestyle champion, Jim Koehler in his bright green ‘57 Chevy Avenger and Michigan’s Chris Bergeron driving Brutus, along with the other hot shots: Amsoil Shock Therapy, Razin Kane, High Maintenance, Excaliber, War Wagon and Stinger. Tickets start at $20 for adults or $10 for kids. On July 3, enjoy a free outdoor concert with radical ‘80s covers from Jedi Mind Trip and the metal sounds of Harlet. The show starts at 5:30 p.m. The Fireworks Spectacular show starts at dusk and catch heavy-rockin’ Ronnie Montrose at 8:30 p.m. Tickets for the events can be found at soaringeaglecasino.com. Fireworks displays nearby Mt. P will be at Jaycee Park in


Breckenridge and Midland’s Chippewassee Park near the Tridge, or starting at 10:15 p.m. at Ojibway Island in Saginaw.


THE GREAT OUTDOORS Explore the Chippewa River while tubing. Cool off and spend your afternoon relaxing with your toes in the water. Tube rentals, drop-offs and pick-ups are offered by Floaters Tubing (989-400-6752). For a cheaper ride, you can by provide your own tube and transportation. Float as you please along routes that last anywhere from one to eight hours; the most popular route is a one-and-a-half hour ride from Chip-A-Waters to Island Park. If you’re in the mood to break a sweat, a canoe or kayak trip makes for a more vigorous day. Rentals, sales, shuttle services and overnight camping trips are offered by Buckley’s


Mountainside Canoes (989-772-5437) and Chippewa River Outfitters (989-772-5474). For disc golf fans, CMU’s spacious 18-hole course on


campus is a good place to practice your technique. The tar- gets are widely spread throughout an open field with little distractions – but obstacles like woodland patches, ponds and a railroad track still provide challenge. For those with more experience, the advanced 18-hole course at Deerfield Nature Park will test your skills with elevation changes, woodland terrain and water hazards. Those with a busier lifestyle can hit up local


MONSTER TRUCK MADNESS: July 2 at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort 6 | REVUEMM.COM | JULY 2011


parks for a lavish equilibrium between work and play. Stop to smell the wildflowers on flourished trails at Meridian Park, and maybe you’ll even discover your idyllic fishing retreat amongst its 154 acres of quiet wetlands. Majeske Landing is two- and-a-half acres of premier fishing opportunities on Chippewa River, but for a more intense getaway with nature, set up camp at Deerfield Nature Park – its 591 acres of scenic forest with eight miles of hiking and biking trails as well as swimming beaches and fishing on the river. Bird watchers should head to Florence Maxwell Sanctuary to see how many of the 110 species can be found on the 40-acre preserve. Island Park is the perfect place to walk your pooch, pack a picnic or barbecue with friends along with a skate park and basketball and tennis courts to play on.


by Kristyn Woll | kristyn@revuewm.com


TOAD THE WET SPROCKET: July 28 at Max & Emily’s Summer Concert Series


FESTIVALS This month, head down- town for an array of endless eclectic treasures and art- work to peruse – Art Reach starts by lining the sidewalks with Adrinock chairs, benches and writing desks that have been carved and painted to transform into works of art for the Chair Affair – find your favorite piece to bid on during a silent auction that benefits the center’s children’s pro- grams, or vote to reign it with a Peoples’ Choice title. For the rainy days between July 8-30, browse the gallery during its Chick Powers ex-


hibit, which will showcase realistic wooden human sculptures, scaled to three-fourths of a life-size version. The main events takes place from July 21-23 during the Street Festival. You’ll find unique arts and crafts for sale, art demonstrations, sand sculptures, live music, dancers and Chalk Art. Contact Art Reach at (989) 773-3689 to reserve a square to create your own masterpiece with chalk, and a chance to win prizes and certifi- cates. If that wasn’t enough, Broadway Theatre will entertain each night with a collaboration of performance pieces voluntary participants have worked to direct and star in for the One Act Play Festival, starting nightly at 7 p.m. Dig out your hole-ridden pair of jeans and unleash your


inner grunge machine for the reunion of ‘90s alt-rockers Toad and the Wet Sprocket on July 28. The show is second in Max & Emily’s Summer Concert Series. Spend July’s last weekend at Salt River Acres to relish


in summertime blues during its 33rd Annual Bluegrass Festival. Traditional authenticity is upheld with a line-up of top performers such as Mississippi Sawyers, Full House, Charlie Lawson & Oak Hill, Detour, Hardline Drive, Bluegrass 101, Lonesome Meadow, Ladies in Black and the King Family and more. Tickets can be purchased in advance online for $45, or $55 at the gate. n


SCHEDULE | SIGHTS | SOUNDS SCENE


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