Pioneer Days Negaunee Michigan

It's Pioneer Days in Negaunee, Michigan this week July 3-10. Festivities include an Olde Town Festival held on July 3rd with music, lots of food and drinks, and games for the kids. Wednesday was the kids bike parade down Iron St. in Negaunee with a Kids Day after the parade at the Negaunee Ice Arena, offering games, food, and raffles. Other festivities for Wednesday included several high school reunions, a car cruise and sock hop, wine and cheese tasting, and the farmer's market at Jackson Mine Park. Thursday the festivities continue with more high school reunions, a cookout at Super One in Negaunee, and live music in the evening at both the Eagles and Elks clubs. The Pioneer princess pageant is also held Thursday as well as Social Night beginning 8 pm in downtown Negaunee. Friday brings a huge band concert at the Vista Theater along with live music once again in the evening at the Eagles and Elks clubs. Saturday is the big Pioneer Days parade at 11:30 am, Pioneer Days community picnic at Teal Lake, a firefighters tournament at Teal Lake, and fireworks over Teal Lake at dusk.
Ongoing activities include a softball tournament Monday through Friday with championships on Saturday, and Carp River Gardens is open all week as well.
Today I had the pleasure of watching the kid's parade and eating lunch afterward at the Midtown Bakery. The turnout for the kid's parade was good, with a lot more paraders than spectators! The kids seemed to have a blast riding their bikes and scooters, the younger set in wagons or decorated strollers. Lunch at the Midtown Bakery afterward was good. I had a turkey pesto panini sandwich that came with a pasta side and dill pickle. It was very good and I would definitely order one again. We browsed a couple of the antique stores on Iron Street and if you have not visited them yet and like antiques I would highly recommend them to you. I believe there are four wonderful antique stores all in a very small area, all loaded with lots of great treasures. After our lunch we drove to Carp River Gardens. I have been to the gardens several times in the past and it always takes my breath away as it is so beautiful. The greenery, waterfalls, and flowers can make you feel as one with nature, and the smell of flowers and fresh air exhilirates you. Calming and exhilirating all in one. It's located at a private residence and I think it's wonderful that they share its beauty each year with so many people. You can see a few photos I took today, but the pictures far from capture how beautiful it is. If you take a tour of the gardens, be prepared to sit a spell on one of the many benches, chairs, or on the swing and just take in sights, sounds, and smells.
If you haven't been to Negaunee yet this week for Pioneer Days, you might want to check it out for a good time!