Traverse City has the Film Festival, Isle Royale has moose and wolves, but Elk Rapids has Harbor Days. I was over there yesterday taking pictures of the preparations and talking to the crew from Arnold Amusements. It’s astonishing really how much work goes into setting up a midway. It’s like moving a whole town from place to place, a caravan of RVs and trucks loaded with rainbows.
How can you resist the rides? Especially the chubby dragons. Those dragons just knock me out.
For that matter, how can you resist the elephant ears and the roasted corn and the lemonade and the Elk Rapids Rotary Club Chicken BBQ? (Some years ago I was a Rotary volunteer myself, up to my elbows in carryout containers and secret sauce. If you bought a dinner back then, your money went to very good causes, including the installation of nice public restrooms at Veterans Memorial Park. Never underestimate the importance of that sort of amenity in a resort community. I digress.)
You can download the 2011 Harbor Days Schedule of Events here, and go explore. Do some shopping on River Street. Have breakfast with the Masons. Stop in at Stuff ‘n’ Such and say hello to Louan. Listen to Syzygy. Try Zumba in the park. Watch the Sand Castle Competition. Take bets on whether Norm Veliquette will walk on his hands along the parade route. OOOh and AAAh during the fireworks over the Bay. I don’t see how you can go wrong.
I’m sure you will measure up.
Torch Lake Views 
P.j. grath
August 4, 2011
Thanks for taking us backstage, Gerry. I know kids of all ages will have a blast at Harbor Days.
Fee
August 4, 2011
Looks like a lot of fun. Wish the commute was a bit shorter I may have to pass this year (maybe next year, when I’ve won gazillions on the lottery!).
Dawn
August 4, 2011
We had the exact same chubby dragons at our county fair! LOL!
Dawn
August 4, 2011
Loved the “caravan of trucks loaded with rainbows…
Margaret Muench Learner
August 5, 2011
I think that last little elephant butt is too cute! 🙂
Gerry
August 6, 2011
As you can tell, I am way, way behind on answering comments. I am going to do it all in one, with a promise to do better soon. PJ, it’s always fun to take you along–Fee, I wish you a lucky lottery–Dawn, I suspected the chubby dragons got around–Margaret, I thought the elephants were darned cute too. And thank you all for dropping by!
Beth Toner
August 15, 2011
Vi and I ran the 5K on Saturday at Harbor Days — soooo fun! We are coming back next year for two weeks. Honcho Rest is da bomb, BTW. And hopefully — back in 2013 to stay. 🙂 We met with a realtor last week.
Gerry
August 15, 2011
All part of the devious plan. Heh heh.
Maybe you will find that dream B&B. That lovely Victorian in Bellaire is for sale, and I think Patti and Jack Findlay are pondering the sale of the Pink Lady in Alden. Of course, people are always thinking of selling at the end of the busy season. We all need a nap.