Grand rising, West Michigan. This is Lakeshore Current with a public service announcement… You woke up this morning, and there is so much to be thankful for. You got this! Now get out there and live it 🙌 

In today’s Lakeshore Current:

• Free Admission To National Parks 🌲 

• Muskegon Lake PFAs ☢️ 

• Guided Kayak Fall Color Tours 🛶 

Let’s dive in

— Courtland Stansberry

THE DIGEST

5 Fall Color Guided Kayak Trips In West Michigan

Ottawa County, MI, is offering "Color by Kayak" guided tours in October, featuring vibrant fall colors at Ottawa Sands. Tours begin on Oct. 5 with two-hour sessions, followed by a longer four-hour Pigeon River tour on Oct. 13. A second double tour returns to Ottawa Sands on Oct. 19. The grand reopening of the 353-acre Ottawa Sands park is on Oct. 17, showcasing improvements and the new Idema Explorer Camp. A moonlit paddle for experienced kayakers is scheduled for Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. Tour prices are $25 for residents and $30 for non-residents. Kayaks and safety gear are provided. More info here. Not going to lie, I’m really excited about Ottawa Sands reopening!

PFA’s In Muskegon Lake

High concentrations of PFAS chemicals have been detected in surface water foam on Muskegon Lake, with testing showing levels of 4,757 parts-per-trillion (ppt) for PFOS. This foam accumulation, which began along the southern shoreline this summer, is unusual and has researchers puzzled. Grand Valley State University collected samples on August 19, and similar foam was observed at multiple locations. PFAS, classified as hazardous by the EPA, has been linked to various health issues. Known sources of PFAS contamination exist in the Muskegon area, including the former Sappi mill site, which has high PFAS levels and is undergoing investigation for cleanup. Local contamination sites include L3Harris Technologies, BASF, and others, all impacting nearby waterways. Experts believe that unknown sources or disturbed sediment might also contribute to the elevated foam levels, raising concerns about the lake’s water quality. Further sampling and investigations are planned to understand the situation better.

Free Admission To All MI National Parks

On Saturday, September 28, 2023, entry fees to five national parks in Michigan will be waived for National Public Lands Day. This program, established by the National Parks Service and the National Environmental Education Foundation, occurs every fourth Saturday of September. The parks include:

Isle Royale National Park

Keweenaw National Historical Park

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

River Raisin National Battlefield Park

In 2023, Michigan’s national parks attracted approximately 2.8 million visitors, contributing an estimated $273 million to local economies. Additionally, volunteers are needed at Sleeping Bear Dunes and Keweenaw National Historical Park for restoration efforts, with specific tasks scheduled for 10 a.m. and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., respectively. For more information on National Public Lands Day and volunteer events across the country check out nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates and select National Public Lands Day.

LOCAL BUSINESS

More Live Music & Cannabis Coming To Muskegon

A multi-million dollar one-stop shop for marijuana, food and drinks named Fields Cannary will open in spring 2025, a year behind schedule. Located at the former Sons of Norway Lodge, the venue is being reconstructed to include a restaurant, bar, dispensary, and an outdoor consumption lounge featuring live music. Co-owner Edgar Ramon noted construction paused due to winter damage but aims to secure the building before snow arrives. The facility will operate under strict age restrictions. The restaurant, “Rooted,” will serve seasonal American cuisine, while the consumption lounge, “Amber,” will not serve cannabis-infused food to avoid contamination risks. Phase two will see the addition of a marijuana production facility. The founders, including a third-generation cultivator, aim to offer opportunities to local students and are enthusiastic about community support for the innovative concept.

Holland Is Home To Swaddleini Startup

Liz Hilton, founder of Holland’s KnitIt, developed 3D knit baby swaddles called Swaddleini, launched in August 2018. After struggling with her son’s sleep issues, she applied her design background from the Fashion Institute of Technology and work with German company Stoll to create a solution. Initially, sales faltered until a TikTok video in 2021 boosted demand significantly, leading to $250,000 in annual revenue. Currently, KnitIt operates from a 6,000-square-foot facility, producing eco-friendly Swaddleinis on automated knitting machines. Hilton aims to diversify products for healthcare and aerospace while keeping operations in the U.S. and fostering a local entrepreneurial community.

SPONSORED BY SIMULATOR CONSULTANTS

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WHAT’S HAPPENIN

MUSKEGON

Thursday - Muskegon Farmers Market 8-2pm

Wonderland Distillery - Music Trivia 7pm

Free Thursdays at Muskegon Museum of Art

Pigeon Hill - Pumpkin Paint 'n Sip 6-8pm

Friday - Hackley Park - Touch The Trucks 6-8pm

Pere Marquette Park - (KOGL) Kiteboarding Test Fest 12-6pm

Saturday - Muskegon Farmers Market 8-2pm

Michigan's Adventure - Tricks and Treats 12-6pm

Ballin on the Beach 2024: Semi Truck Show, Rodeo & Round Up 10am-dusk

Pere Marquette Park - (KOGL) Kiteboarding Test Fest 10am-6pm

Pigeon Hill - Oktoberfest 12pm

Downtown Muskegon - Hay Bale Decorating Competition

Sunday - Pere Marquette Park - (KOGL) Kiteboarding Test Fest 10am-5pm

Ballin on the Beach 2024: Semi Truck Show, Rodeo & Round Up 10am-dusk

Monday - The Valkyrie - Trivia Night 7pm

GRAND HAVEN

Thursday- Spring Lake Farmers Market 9am-2pm

Friday- Odd Side Live Music 8-11pm

Saturday- Grand Haven Farmers Market 8am-1pm

Pumpkins at Chinook Pier 10-11am

Burzurk Brewing - OktoburZfest 2024 2-11pm

HOLLAND

Thursday - Hops at 84 East - HOPStoberfest 11am-12pm

Friday - Hops at 84 East - HOPStoberfest 11am-12pm

Saturday - Holland Farmers Market 8-2pm

Benjamin's Hope - Harvest Festival 2024 3-6pm

Park Theatre - Parktoberfest 2024 6:30-11pm

Tanglewood Winery - Wok Me Up Food Truck + Kev & Racquel Piano Show 4-8pm

Hops at 84 East - HOPStoberfest 11am-12pm

Sunday - Holland Civic Center Place - Falltastic Market 12-5pm

Monday - Curragh Irish Pub - Trivia Night 8pm

WEATHER

Thursday

74 🌡️ 56 | ☀️ |

Friday

77 🌡️ 60 | ☁️ |

Saturday

72 🌡️ 61 | 🌤️ |

Sunday

75🌡️ 59 | 🌤️ |

Monday

72 🌡️ 60 | 🌤️ |

LIVE MUSIC

Thursday

Sandy Point I Wally & Dakota I 6pm

Park Theatre I Abbie Thomas & The Crazy Hearts & The Erly I 7pm

Friday

Frauenthal Center I A Tribute to The Beatles: Classical Mystery Tour I 7:30pm

Lotus Room I Honky Tonk Saloon I 7pm

Odd Side I Johnny Park Band I 8pm

Grand Armory I Simply In Time I 6:30pm

Eagles 925 I Top Shelf I 8pm

Itty Bitty Bar I Electric Red I 9pm

Hops at 84 East I The Carl Webb Band I 9pm

Wicks Park Bar & Grille I Wealthy Soul I 8pm

Saturday

Frauenthal Center I A Tribute to The Beatles: Classical Mystery Tour I 7:30pm

Red Rooster Tavern I Redux I 8pm

The Valkyrie I TBA I 7pm

Eagles 925 I Joe Johnson & The Bluebacks I 8pm

Hops at 84 East I Chris and Gerald from BareNaked 90's I 8pm

Itty Bitty Bar I Tony Thompson Band I 9pm

Wicks Park Bar & Grille I Rock Shop I 8pm

Sunday

Odd side Ales I Scott Pellegrom I 5pm

Sandy Point I Randy Johnson I 5pm

SPORTS

Thursday - Detroit Tigers vs Tampa Bay Rays 1:10pm

Friday - Detroit Tigers vs Chicago Whitesox 6:40pm

Saturday- Detroit Tigers vs Chicago Whitesox 1:10pm

Sunday - Detroit Tigers vs Chicago Whitesox 3:10pm

Monday- Detroit Lions vs Seattle Seahawks 8:15pm

THANKS!

Thanks for reading Lakeshore Current today. If you found something useful, please share with someone who has been apple picking recently.

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