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Friday, March 29

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Irisheyes1212 / July 2, 2009 7:59 AM

My boyfriend and I are heading up to Union Pier, MI tomorrow AM. We are staying at what promises to be a pretty awesome inn on the lake. We have a nice dinner planned, then will watch the fireworks at dusk. Saturday we are heading to Baroda for a wine and BBQ festival, followed by Dixieland music in Three Oaks. Sunday we have to check out at 11, so we will hit the dunes before driving back home. In between all this will be time to explore, hit a winery, fish and read. I really cannot wait!

Guy Smiley / July 2, 2009 9:48 AM

Possibly Summerfest. Definitely not anywhere near Grant Park. But that winery idea of Irisheyes sounds pretty cool.

Andrew Huff / July 2, 2009 10:42 AM

We're having some folks over for dinner on Friday, and visiting some friends with a newborn on Saturday (out in the 'burbs, unfortunately). Might partyhop a bit, though, too.

Guy Smiley / July 2, 2009 10:53 AM

Huff...don't knock the 'burbs on July 3. They have some of the best fireworks shows. Lots of space to sit out on the grass and watch the show (IF they do them on the 3rd and IF the weather is right). Or you could join about a million of your closest friends on the Chicago lakefront...

Cazadores / July 2, 2009 11:03 AM

Uncle's funeral. Mid-50s. Constant drunk. Doctors warned him for years. Never listened. Real S.O.B. too.

Andrew Huff / July 2, 2009 11:43 AM

@Guy I'll be in the suburbs on the 4th. And as much fun as the suburban fireworks displays can be, driving on one of the most notorious nights for drunk driving (along with New Years) isn't a thrilling prospect. But hanging with these dear friends is worth it.

eee / July 2, 2009 12:12 PM

I'm hitting up Six Flags tomorrow (insane, yes, but the tickets were free). For the 4th, I'll be hanging at a friend's house for the evening since fireworks can be seen from her driveway. I'm assuming there will be a cookout and lots of booze. Sunday is recovery day.

And a side note to Irisheyes: Round Barn Winery has a tasting room with Free Run Cellars in Union Pier, and next door is a St. Julien tasting room as well. If you visit the Round Barn Brewery, please let me know how it is. Also, if you don't mind the drive, I'd recommend hitting up Karma Vista Vinyard & Winery in Coloma. Beautiful location, great wine.

winediva / July 2, 2009 1:25 PM

Seems winery visits are "the thing" this holiday weekend! That warms my heart. Lynfred winery, in Roselle, IL, is open this weekend if anyone is looking for a closer to home option.

Irisheyes1212 / July 2, 2009 2:19 PM

@eee
Actually the BBQ/Wine fest on the 4th is at Round Barn! I've heard good things so I'm looking foward to checking it out. This will be my first trip into "Harbor Country" so I think it will be fun. I also found a few places of interest in Berrien Springs so we will have to check that out along with Coloma. They both appear to be about 30 mins from Union Pier!~! Thanks for the recommendation :)

eee / July 2, 2009 2:23 PM

Irisheyes, if you'll be up around Barrien Springs, then I will HIGHLY recommend Domaine Berrien Cellars‎. I went to a wine fest a few weeks ago, and theirs was the only winery with consistently GOOD wine. The people were really nice, too.

And back on topic... Go, America!

sd / July 2, 2009 2:56 PM

OHIO! Driving over to see the gf's parents. BBQ and the works.

Sweetness / July 2, 2009 3:05 PM

When I first moved to town some guys brought me to a neighborhood fireworks display somewhere around Humboldt Park/Logan Square on the 4th. The Teamsters collect at least $30,000 every year to put it on. From a small, taped-off parking lot at a busy intersection they launched huge rockets right above us for over an hour. It would show-up the legit display of many a small town. The crowd on every corner gets showered with sulphur. It's awesome.

Does anyone know exactly where and where this phenomenon takes place?

Val / July 4, 2009 12:02 PM

small town fireworks and bbq... rain or shine!

spook / July 4, 2009 5:24 PM

impromptu road trip to 2300 Jackson Street Gary Illinois! But first a quick stop to the dollar store for Candles

Carrie / July 5, 2009 3:27 PM

was planning on a couple of rooftop party funtimes, but instead got super sick and couldn't leave the house. not so much fun.

Baldeesh / July 5, 2009 10:37 PM

A friend's dad died, and I went to the wake. Kind of knocks me out of a social mood.

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