Family Fun Highlights July 4 Events

Fort Mackinac, the only American Revolution-era fort remaining in Michigan, is decorated with red, white, and blue bunting in preparation for a "A Star Spangled Fourth" patriotic celebration Saturday, July 4. Historical interpreters will describe life at the fort in the 1880s and children can join in Victorian games. Fort Mackinac is Michigan's only remaining fort from the American Revolution, and it will provide both the backdrop and the setting for celebrating the Fourth of July this year on Mackinac Island. Activities are planned both downtown and at the fort, and fireworks will burst overhead at dusk.

Downtown Games Mackinac 4th of July Fun & Games runs from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Windermere Point. Children can participate in sack races, a water balloon toss, greasy pole climb, and watermelon roll. Patriotic face painting also will be offered.

Activities are open to the pubic at no charge and prizes will be awarded. They are sponsored by the city Recreation Department.

The city also sponsors the fireworks display at dusk. The bursts will be fired from a barge in front of the school, and the school grounds, boardwalk, Windermere Point, and Fort Mackinac are the best places to view them.

Fort Mackinac

Throughout the day, historical interpreters will mingle with visitors to describe daily life at Fort Mackinac. Daily staged events will include a court martial reenactment, rifle and cannon firing demonstrations, fort tours, and children's programs.

Patriotic music will begin at 2 p.m., followed by the raising of a 36-foot-long flag. A 38-gun salute will recognize the 38 states in the Union during the 1880s, the period which is now being interpreted in the fort's long history.

Beginning at 6:30 p.m., an "American Picnic" will be served by the Fort Tea Room on the parade ground, with music provided by Grand Hotel's jazz band, led by Alex Graham. The band will be playing patriotic jazz and Dixieland music.

A fee is charged for admission to the fort and for the picnic.

In the evening, historical interpreters will wander among visitors, teaching children the games of the times, and at 7:45 p.m., guests will be asked to participate in the interactive historic Rose Dance.

Guests also can watch the fireworks display from inside Fort Mackinac, which is situated on a 150-foot-high bluff overlooking Lake Huron.

Stone Skipping Tournament

Since 1969, amateurs and professionals have chosen the perfect size, shape, and weight stone to skip over the waters of Lake Huron. They again will head to the rocks Saturday, July 4, for the 40th Annual Mackinac Island Stone Skipping Tournament.

Amateur contests begin at 10 a.m. at Windermere Point and professional stone skippers will step up to the shoreline at noon.

For $3, a contestants can skip six stones or for $5 a family can participate in the event.

About 100 people compete each year, said organizer Eric Steiner.

Professionals expected at this year's event include the current Guinness Book World Record holder Russ Byar from Pennsylvania. He will compete against two former Guinness Book holders, John Kid and Kurt Steiner. Local favorites include Jeff Dupre of Mackinac Island and Glenn Loy of Traverse City.