New downtown improvements in Fennville, including a splash pad, outdoor gathering spaces and a newly built amphitheater, are already drawing residents and visitors to the citys slate of summer events.

The upgrades were showcased during the opening concert of the Fennville City Music Hall Series, where attendees gathered outdoors to hear performances from local and regional musicians.

Sweet Dee and the Wild Honeys were among the first acts to perform on the new stage. The band blends Americana western swing with jazz and gypsy jazz influences, musician Dee Sutton said.

Oh, honored. Absolutely. Fennville has done a fantastic job at making a really cool space," Sutton said. The fact that they put it somewhere and were thoughtful about making sure that theres shade, trees for the area, and people can walk to all the restaurants and whatnot. Its cool."

The city-owned venue is part of a broader downtown redevelopment effort led by the Fennville Downtown Development Authority.

Its really been what we call placemaking, and thats kind of making a space that people want to come to, to be in, in downtown Fennville, said Micah Machiela, coordinator for the authority. A place where people can get a meal or a social district drink from one of the restaurants and come enjoy outdoors, or just spend some time in our downtown.

State grant funding helped support the improvements.

We have our splash pad, our outdoor fireplace here, and just the open seating area there where people can stop to take a seat or have a bite, Machiela said.

Longtime musician and Fennville native Andrew Schrock also performed at the amphitheater during the citys summer kickoff celebration last weekend. Schrock, a member of the Schrock Bros and the Great Lakes Brass, said the venue compares to concert spaces he has seen while performing around the country.

Ive played a lot of summer concert series all over the state and the country, and so Ive seen these other spaces, Schrock said. So to be able to have that in our downtown, it was pretty, pretty special.

Schrock also serves as chair of the Downtown Development Authority and helped oversee the project.

People should come and check out Downtown Fennville, because we got a lot of cool stuff going on here, Schrock said. We have community concerts every Thursday for the next eight Thursdays.

City leaders say the amphitheater and surrounding improvements are intended to create a stronger sense of community while supporting local businesses through events like the City Music Hall Series and Fourth Friday celebrations.

For Sutton, the experience left a lasting impression on the city itself.

I was driving into town, and Im wondering, like, whats the school district like here, because this place is pretty rad, Sutton said. Youre close to the coast, and youve got amazing food here, so good community, music lovers, lot of arts and culture, it seems.

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A Zeeland West High School senior with a passion for history, flags and civic symbolism has earned national recognition after becoming a finalist in USA Todays Fly Your Flag competition ahead of Americas 250th anniversary.

Kellen Vaughan was named one of 12 finalists in the contests high school division after submitting a patriotic flag design called The Starry Goose.

The nationwide civic contest, created in partnership with the Students United News Network (SUNN), invited students to design flags that captured what America means to them. Nearly 850 students from across the country submitted entries in middle school, high school and AI-assisted categories.

The competition was judged by a panel that included actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, artist Kadir Nelson, teacher-influencer Sharon McMahon and Olympian Jasmine Jones.

Vaughan, a self-described history enthusiast and vexillology fan, said his interest in flags began when he was just a kid.

It all started with I wanted to do my own coat of arms called heraldry, and then I got into flags, Vaughan said. If you go to my house, theres so many books of that stuff. Unironically, I collect flags too many of them, honestly.

His love of history stretches beyond books. Vaughan participates in Civil War reenactments, often serving as a flag carrier during Memorial Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day events. He also creates YouTube videos exploring history and alternate-history scenarios.

Specifically early 20th century, because thats when empires fell, and there was a big revolution, like everything changed, Vaughan said of his favorite historical era.

Vaughan said he entered the competition casually and did not expect national attention.

I did it on a whim, not expecting anything from it, he said. It was weeks later, I forgot about it. And then Im top 12 in the country, Im like, What?

His design, The Starry Goose, features a goose flying across a patriotic trail of red, white and blue.

I was inspired by what some military jets do during the air show, where they fly over and theres smoke trail behind them, Vaughan said.

The goose was chosen intentionally. Vaughan said the bird represents unity and diversity across the United States because geese can be found in all 50 states, including Hawaii unlike bald eagles.

I think the goose represents America a bit better, with their varieties and diversity, like subspecies, Vaughan said. Theyre all different, but theyre all geese, just like how people from different states are, like they're all Arizonan or Texan, Michigan, but theyre still American.

Although Vaughan did not win the top prize, he said the experience reinforced a long-term goal of redesigning Michigans state flag.

"I'd love to do that," Vaughan said. "Michigan said, 'Hey, let's redesign the flag, and they made a proposal for it, but that was years ago, and the bill never passed. So I'm like, let's do it now."

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Grand Haven visitors say higher gas prices have made summer travel more expensive, but they aren't letting the added cost keep them from the lakeshore this Fourth of July.

According to AAA, the average cost for a gallon of gas in Michigan is almost a dollar more than it was last year.

For visitors like the Jimmy and Amy Metiva, the higher costs have been noticeable but not a dealbreaker.

"I mean, it hasn't necessarily impacted it too much, but it certainly has risen the cost of it. We still wanted to come out, we just made it work," Amy explained.

The Metivas say they're still making the most of the season despite the financial strain.

"It's not easy right now for anybody, but definitely just want to make the best of it. And it's hard to let summer go to waste when we know winter's on the way." Jimmy said.

Longtime Grand Haven businesses say they haven't noticed a dip in visitors. Buffalo Bob's owner Jill Hutchinson says the season has been strong.

"So far it's been really good, lot of people, a lot of new people, a lot of people that return every summer," Hutchinson said.

Sweet Temptations owner Kelly Larson echoed that sentiment.

"We sell a lot of ice cream cones this week and the weather has kind of put the cherry on top," Larson said.

Larson says Sweet Temptations is expecting to go through more than 500 tubs of ice cream during Fourth of July week.

For visitors like the Rogers, coming across the state from Birmingham remains well worth the cost.

"It's about a two and a half hour drive, so all in all, it's not a huge economic drain to drive across here," the Rogers said.

The family says the community itself keeps them coming back.

"Grand Haven is just such a nice community, the beach, the kids, the grandkids love it." the Rogers said.

Despite steeper prices at the pump, visitors say the draw of Grand Haven's scenic beach and the fleeting summer season is reason enough to make the trip.

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This summer Elliot Grandia and Janice Allen are getting the scoop on the best ice cream shops around West Michigan.

Stop number five: Sweet Temptations Ice Cream

Grand Haven's Temptations ice cream has been a lakeshore staple since 1985, and it's still churning.

Every scoop at Temptations in Grand Haven is made in house and has been for decades.

The family tradition goes back further than that, though.

"My dad actually went to ice cream school and learned how to make ice cream," said owner Kelly Larson.

Larson's first job at Temptations was in 1985. Today, she leads the operation and the secret is in the mix.

"Skim milk are 2% I use a 14% mix, so that's what makes premium ice cream, premium ice cream," Larson said.

Crews whip up between 12 and 15 batches of premium ice cream every day at two Grand Haven locations: Temptations along the city's boardwalk and Sweet Temptations just up the road.

The menu builds on the classics while making room for new creations. Cookies and cream is one of the original flavors, and Larson is already planning what comes next.

"For July, I've got a salted caramel cookies and cream coming. I have a lemon blueberry cake, which I haven't made before," Larson said.

The homemade scoops are award-winning and keep customers coming back.

"I came here because they have the blueberry pie... which is so delicious," said Jacqueline Zambito. "I love ice cream very, very much, and so I definitely taste the difference," Jacqueline said.

You can find Sweet Temptations at 621 Miller Dr, Grand Haven, MI

Temptations is located at 1 N Harbor Dr, Grand Haven, MI.

Where should Elliot and Janice head next? Let us know your favorite ice cream shops! Email us at mornings@fox17online.com.

mornings@fox17online.com

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Holland and Zeeland are welcoming July with a lineup of free community events, from street performers and holiday sales to a weekly street carnival and a classic car show.

Holland's Street Performer Series returns every Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. through Aug. 13 in downtown Holland.

"We have over 25 performing artists that will be downtown performing free for the public, from jugglers and balloon twisters, henna tattoo artists, musicians, dancers," Kara de Alvare, Downtown Holland marketing coordinator, said.

Among those performers is Anna Hoskins, a Holland-based henna tattoo artist who has participated in the series for 17 years.

"I actually have my master's in drawing, and I love being around people too. Very extroverted, so being able to draw on people is perfect," Hoskins said. "I love it. I just keep coming back. I've been tattooing some people since they were like this big, and now, they bring me their kids."

The holiday weekend also brings deals to downtown Holland.

"Saturday, we're doing our annual Celebrate and Save promotion, so we have nearly 30 shops and restaurants that are offering 20% off discounts if you come in wearing red, white, or blue," de Alvare said.

Fourth of July fireworks are also planned for Saturday evening at Kollen Park, located at the end of 8th Street in downtown Holland. Those will begin at dusk.

Holland Parks & Recreation also hosts a free Summer Concert Series at Kollen Park every Friday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., with the exception of this Friday. The series runs through Aug. 14.

About 10 minutes away in Zeeland, several events are already underway or set to launch.

Music on Main runs from 6 to 9 p.m. on select Thursdays in downtown Zeeland, and the Soundz of Summer Concert Series at Lawrence Street Park begins next Tuesday and continues throughout July.

Zeelmania, a weekly street carnival, runs every Monday night in July from 6 to 8 p.m., with a different theme each week, according to Lynette Lam, Zeeland Festivals director.

"It's just a safe place for people in the surrounding area to come, petting zoos, face painting, live acts, just a lot of different groups," Lam explained.

The first event on July 6 carries a Hawaiian Night and Patriotic theme.

"Hawaiian gear, patriotic gear, we'll have an adult size slip and slide, [one] for the kids as well. The following week is Under the Big Top, so it's a circus type theme, because who doesn't like carnival games?" Lam said.

Zeelmania wraps up with a Summer Showdown on July 27.

"That is just a little bit of everything, ending with a huge giant foam party, so a lot of fun to look forward to," Lam said.

The Zeeland Show and Shine Car Show and Cruise is scheduled for July 10 and 11. The cruise begins July 10 at 6 p.m., and the car show runs Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in downtown Zeeland. Registration for the car show is $15 per vehicle. Lam said more than 200 cars will line the streets from State Street to Main Avenue.

"It's just definitely worth, worth a trip to Zeeland, just to experience our culture, and just to be a part of it," Lam said.

Hoskins said she hopes the community turns out to support the performers.

"It's a really cool thing that they bring to the community, and I'm so happy to be a part of," Hoskins said. "It's just fun, and come down and see us, and especially tomorrow, bring some extra dollars for the performers, because we're going to be really hot."

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