WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
This weekend is the best time to get Out and About in Three Rivers for the entire year. It is, of course, Water Festival, a time when the entire community converges on Downtown TR, Scidmore Park, and Memory Isle. For three days, beginning Thursday, June 16, there will be something for everyone. I’m talking about a parade, rides on the Midway, arts and crafts, live entertainment, games for all ages, classic cars, turtle races, food for every taste bud, and wrapping up the 175th birthday celebration, a magnificent display of fireworks Saturday night. There will be fun and excitement for the entire family, as long as we all use our common sense and treat everyone with respect.
This weekend is also Father’s Day weekend. Save some of that unused energy and treat Dad to a pancake breakfast and Dawn Patrol out at the airport Sunday morning. There will be plenty of good food, door prizes, and static displays. Of course, there’s always that airplane ride that Dad has always dreamed of, and for a small fee, his dream could become a reality. What a great way to wrap up a great weekend.
Just when you thought the fun was over after Water Festival, the following week, Friday and Saturday, June 24 and 25, the village of Centreville will celebrate Covered Bridge Days. Downtown Centreville will be the venue for crafters and vendors displaying their wares and treats. If you’re a classic car fan, there will be plenty of those on display also. For the ladies, there’s even a rummage sale to check out, plus plenty of activities for the kids. Talent shows are quite popular these days, so there’s even a talent show Friday evening at 7. If you enjoy parades, good food, bargains, and fireworks, then Centreville is definitely the place to be June 24 and 25.
Fathers will never be forgotten. Three Rivers American Legion Post 170 will host a Father’s Day Cookout this Saturday, June 18, from 4 to 8 P.M. at their post on South Main in Three Rivers. The menu consists of smoked half chicken or western ribs with baked beans, potato salad, roll, and dessert. The cost for adults is $8, and children age 4 and under can eat for $4. The feast is open to the public. This weekend is jammed with events to attend, but if you plan your schedule properly, you’ll never run out of something to do, and you’ll never be hungry. Sounds like heaven to me.
Not only is Thursday, June 16, the first day of Water Festival, but it is also the 22nd Annual Special Olympics Golf Outing. Pine View Golf Course, on Pulver Road, just off M-216, will host this very worthwhile event. The four-player scramble gets underway at 9:30 A.M., and your party can have a fifth player if s/he is a Special Olympian. The cost is $70, which includes golf, cart, and dinner. All of the proceeds will benefit the St. Joseph County Special Olympics. For more information, please call Trudy at (269)467-5487.
June promises to be a busy month for the Riviera Theatre in historic downtown Three Rivers. This Friday, June 17, The Big Lebowski appears on the big screen. Wii Bowling starts at 8 P.M., followed by the movie at 10. As part of the 55th Annual Water Festival and the classic car show on Saturday, June 18, the movie Grease will be shown at 11 A.M. Admission for the movie is $1. For you fans of opera, Macbeth will be shown Sunday, June 26, at 3 P.M. and once again Wednesday, June 29, at 6 P.M. Admission for this production is $16. Macbeth will be shown in Italian, with English subtitles. More information may be obtained by phoning the Riviera at (269)278-8068 or by visiting their website at www.trriviera.com.
One final word about Water Festival. Many merchants and volunteers have contributed an enormous amount of money and time to make this year’s event a memorable experience. Their generosity is greatly appreciated by the entire community. To remind them of this, try to remember to personally thank those merchants for their generosity and, if you see a Festival volunteer, thank that person for giving of her/his time so that you might have a wonderful family experience at almost no cost to you. Three Rivers is a great place to live and have fun. If you happen to see out-of-town visitors, thank them for coming and make them feel glad they did.
See you Out and About and Happy 175th Birthday, Three Rivers!
Submitted by Norm Stutesman
