Charlevoix Venetian Festival

"Just don't plan to drive through Charlevoix during the Fair, between the fair and the lift bridge average 45 min for 1/4 mile. City needs to develop a plan to maintain a reasonable traffic flow. Only way around is 60+ miles out of the way."

"FIREWORKS are better than any you've ever experienced in your whole life. They are different every year and just as magnificent. You can feel the dozens of different kinds when they boom! The PARADE is very casual, with plenty regular annual groups that aren't all in other parades. I'm surprised every year that so many groups are so organized and some just make as fun a float as possible. Candy and water are tossed for the audience to catch! The CARNIVAL is kid-friendly with rides and games adults definitely enjoy, too! What's more, you actually can get giant stuffed animal from the games, unlike most fairs. Of course t0here's junk food trucks. For the past four years, the WEATHER has been predicted to be cloudy on the day of the parade, but it always (always!) magically turns bright sunny and hot when the parade begins, after the half- and full marathons. TIPS: go early (8-9ish) to put chairs along the street downtown for the parade that starts at 11. It fills up faster than you'd think Have blankets or towels with you to bring to the park next to the road right after the parade. Need to claim a spot to watch the fireworks from. Spend the day relaxing or go home for a while before the fireworks show. Bring your phone fully charged!!! Take pictures! Enjoy the moment!"

"Loved everything about the festival! Entertainment was great! Food was awesome! Fireworks were fantastic! We've been coming up for the festival for over 10 years. We have friends that live outside of Charlevouix, so it's always a great time to visit and enjoy the weekend!"

"Saturday is the best fireworks you'll ever see. Best little town festival around. Great activities all day everyday. Most events and entertainment are free. Events all day and evening. Great bands!"

"There's a fair, food trucks, parade, boat parade, fireworks. How it goes: The fireworks display during this festival was the only kind I had experienced until I was a teenager and was horribly disappointed by its comparison to what I was used to. I've timed it, and it's fifteen (15!) minutes of bright and booming fireworks. In the morning, there's a parade that goes through town and plenty of creative floats. You have to claim territory on the street by 9am if you want to be close to the parade that lasts about 2 hours. I cannot recall a single year that the sun hasn't come out in time for the parade. Some floats give out free things, like candy and sunglasses. An announcer comments on which floats are coming and sometimes adds in his own humor or thoughts. Once the parade is over, quickly claim land in the park next to town, for good fireworks seating. Children can get glow sticks of all colors, somehow keep up their energy all day! In the preceding days to the parade and fireworks, there's also a fair that comes that's perfect for children to love. Once you get over the "I'm too cool for this" stage (13-15 years old?), it's fun to be a kid again and go on rides and try to get stuffed animals! July 4th gets recognition in Charlevoix, but the lake-town area celebrates this festival like no other. Some boats participate in the boat parade before the fireworks, with creative strings of light and music, if they want."