I have to give a tip of the hat to the city of Sheboygan.  This is a city that knows how to celebrate the 4th of July. 

People who have lived in Sheboygan for years may take it for granted.  But I must tell you, I've lived in areas where there was virtually nothing to do on the 4th of July until the fireworks that night.  Either that or what activities that were offered were so lame it wasn't worth checking out.  And in those communities it was just a one-day deal.  All festivities took place on the 4th and it was over. 

In Sheboygan this year, for instance, things got underway Thursday night with a free concert at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center's outdoor stage.  Friday night there will be music featuring the Jerry Schneider polka band at Fountain Park at 6:30 and the Buffalo Joe Band at Deland Park at 7.  Plus there'll be the Venetian Boat Parade down the Sheboyan River.  Then on Saturday it's the big parade starting at 9am, the annual cardboard boat races on the Sheboygan River at noon at Rotary Riverview Park, live music starting at 12:30pm at Deland Park and then the big fireworks show Saturday night.  What a lineup!

By the way, if you can't get to Sheboygan for the fireworks, you'll have many other opportunities in area communities.  Fireworks shows are scheduled for Friday night in Elkhart Lake, Saturday in Plymouth, Sunday in Kohler and Oostburg on Monday.

If you can't find anything to do this weekend, you're not trying very hard.  Have a great weekend and make it a safe one as well.