By Gari Voss
Visitors to Allegan during the weekend of July 27-30, 2023, participated in a variety of activities. Thursday – Saturday, local businesses held Sidewalk Sales that included special deals and events. Armed with a Passport to collect stamps from Allegan Businesses and a Scavenger Hunt sheet from Tantrick Brewing, residents and visitors alike come garner points toward prizes.
On Friday, as Rollin’ on the River filled the Riverfront, the participants in the Allegan Community Players’ Theater Camp were doing their final presentation for parents, friends and the community members. After beginning with “Pure Imagination” from Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, the students did a slightly different version of “The Three Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf.” Once the wolf was brought into line by momma pig, scenes from Goosebumps, the Musical were presented with lovely vocals. The audience clapped and sheered as curtain call was done to “Rainbow Connection”. This was ACP’s first theater camp in many years, and all involved found it to be a success for the campers, a learning experience for staff, and a delight for the audience.
As Full Cord completed their Friday sets on Main Stage during Rollin’ on the River, dusk melted into darkness and the Splash Pad came to life with Tantrick’s Fire Dancers. With the Second Street Bridge in the background, the ladies moved the dancing flames through pattern after pattern.
Saturday brought some serious shopping and several special opportunities.
Not all the Saturday action was in Downtown Allegan or on the Riverfront. The Allegan County Fairground hosted the Michigan Ponies Of America Club Team Tournament, while antique vendors were preparing for Sunday’s Antique Show.
As late afternoon arrived, bands began tuning up to share music with the visitors on the Riverfront. Plein art painters began putting away their easels and pallets. It would be a full evening of vibrations as instruments and vocals melded together in harmonies and rhythms, family and friends relaxed to the sounds, and the sparkling of the sun on the Kalamazoo River turned to a deep blue as darkness approached.
The weekend activities did not end with the Saturday night performances. On Sunday, the winners of Tantrick’s Scavenger Hunt were drawn at 3pm with prizes donated by Downtown businesses, then Kevin Henry returned to Tantrick Brewing to put the icing on the weekend birthday celebrations.
The streets were packed with visitors headed to then returning from the Antique Show at the Fairgrounds while the POA competition came to its conclusion. The Garden at Allegan Event found patrons enjoying Beer and BBQ while Jed Noble played and sang.
Tantrick co-owner Tanya Westover shared that many residents and visitors had sought them out to wish them the very best and thank them for their work in the community of Allegan. Other visitors voiced their kudos for the wonderful activities Allegan provides. Many just moved freely from store to store to food establishment to participating watering holes where Allegan Social District beverages could be purchased.
It was a busy weekend in Allegan with more to come next weekend.