Lots of fun on tap for the 4th of July

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor.

OCEANA COUNTY — There are fun events going on all over the county this week in celebration of the Fourth of July.

Fireworks will be shot off in Pentwater Thursday night; and Silver Lake and Hesperia Friday night. There will also be a Fourth of July parade in Hesperia Friday at 11 a.m.

Thursday, July 3:

– Hesperia Family Fun Fest, July 3–5. Join the family fun in Hesperia. Activities include: garden tractor pull, bingo, music, horseshoe tournament, pedal pulls, contests, parade Friday  at 11 a.m., beer tent, Texas Hold’em, inflatable midway, water battle, horse pulls, fireworks Friday at 10 p.m., art fair, 4-H petting zoo, barbecue, softball beach volleyball, three-on-three basketball tournament, and a Kids’ Panther Prowl. See event calendar at http://www.webdesignfiles.com/HespChamber/pics/2014FunFestSchedule.pdf

– Miller Scholarship Pie Contest, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pentwater Village Green, anyone is welcome to enter. There is a pie baking contest, pie auction, lemonade stand, hot dog stand, raffle table items from local merchants, pie eating contests, buy-a-slice, $500 college scholarship drawing Sunday, July 5, at noon. All donations go toward providing scholarships. Sponsors cover the event expenses. Contact the Pentwater Chamber of Commerce for more information at 231-869-4150

– Fireworks in Pentwater, dusk Charles Mears State Park Pentwater, fireworks will be shot off over Lake Michigan.

Friday, July 4:

– Independence Day Bike Parade, 10 a.m., Charles Mears State Park in Pentwater, decorate your bike and join the fun.

– Fireworks in Silver Lake, dusk at Silver Lake Sand Dunes.

Saturday, July 5:

– Annual Ice Cream Social, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Country Dairy, at 3476 S. 80th  Ave., New Era, enjoy delicious ice cream, as well as tours, petting calves and cows, wagon rides and kids’ activities.

– LASSI (Local Animal Shelter Support Inc.) Loop 5K Race, 8 a.m., Charles Mears State Park. Pentwater. Proceeds benefit the Oceana County Animal Shelter.

– Beer Tent & Bands, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., at Golden Sands Golf & Bucket Bar, 2501 Wilson Rd., Silver Lake.

Sunday, July 6:

– Marine VFW Pancake Breakfast, 8 a.m. to noon, Pentwater VFW Hall, $7 for adults, $3 for children ages 5-12, kids under 5 are free. Proceeds go to Marines Helping Marines.

– Pig Roast at Walkerville Wesleyan Church, 2 p.m., Walkverville Wesleyan Church, 144 S. Hamon St., inaugural event, bring a dish to pass and table service. The meat, coffee and tea are provided. A free-will offering will be accepted.

– Oceana Grange Picnic and Awards, 55 W. Scout Rd., Hart, for more information, contact Mary at mnsloan@voyager.net.