File photo of a competitive run during Onekama Days courtesy of the Onekama Days committee.
By Pat Stinson
ONEKAMA ‒ Events planned in 2024 for this “two-lake” town were recently announced by the Portage Lake Association.
Near and Farr Friends will present the remainder of its free winter and spring programs for community members. All are welcome to attend the 2:30 p.m. programs held at the Onekama Township Hall, 5435 Main St., next to the fire station.
On March 7, Mark Fedder, executive director of the Manistee County Historical Museum, will talk about five rural newspapers that were published in Manistee County during the ’40s and’50s.
Aging in place, and available services, will be the topic of the April 18 get-together.
A book discussion of the 2022 Newberry award-winning “Free Water” by Amina Luqman-Dawson will be held May 2 as part Onekama Reads.
Other events scheduled in May and June are:
– Main Street Petunia Planting, Wednesday, May 22
– Hello Summer Party-Cocktail Party, Friday, June 14
– Sunday Music in the Park/Stage Celebration, Sunday, June 23
The annual Concerts in the Park summer music series will kick off on July 1. Concerts begin at 6 p.m., Mondays, July through Aug. 12. The line-up of musical acts will be announced later.
Downtown’s annual Onekama Block Party will take place Thursday, July 11, followed by the Aug. 1-5 festivities of Onekama Days, featuring a parade, games, community meals, fireworks and more.
Late summer and fall events include:
– Volunteer Appreciation, Friday, Aug. 30
– Fall Festival, Saturday, Oct. 5
– Christmas in Onekama, Saturday, Nov. 16
– Celebration Of Lights, Sunday, Nov. 17
The PLA noted that events are subject to change. For more information or to volunteer with the PLA, email: information@onekama.info. Visit the website at: onekama.info. Follow the PLA Facebook page @PLAOnekama and a community group page on Facebook @OnekamaCommunityConnection.
Pat Stinson is a co-editor of Freshwater Reporter.