Homecoming, the most highly attended event on the Village of Pentwater calendar, kicks off on Thursday evening, August 14, with the ever-popular Strawberry Shortcake Social at 6 p.m. on the Village Green. The dessert sale is the sole fundraiser of the Pentwater Lake Association and helps to set a festive stage for the evening’s main event, the Les Bailey Memorial Concert.
Now in its 95th year, Homecoming has been celebrated since its earliest years with a joint band concert of the Pentwater Civic Band and the Scottville Clown Band. The concert honors Bailey, who was a prominent businessman and musician in the village, owning the hardware store and participating in the formation of both the aforementioned bands.
Although Homecoming started as a reunion for graduates of Pentwater High School, it has developed into a gathering of generations of families who have lived in Pentwater. It is a four-day-long celebration at homes and cottages that have been in the families for years. Already busy with vacationers and tourists in the busy summer season, Pentwater streets are jampacked with homecoming celebrants. It is estimated there are 10,000 people in Pentwater during the weekend.
Each year the Pentwater Service Club selects a theme for the sand sculpture competition sponsored by the club. This year’s theme is “Magic of Pentwater,” and one of the criteria for judging the sculptures is how closely the entries relate to the theme. The contest will be held Friday morning from 8 a.m. to noon, with prizes offered for multiple age groups and various categories. Families are encouraged to enter as intergenerational groups, and the public is invited to watch their work in progress as well as check out the finished sculptures.
The winning ticket for the “Sixty-Four Stars Over Pentwater” Quilt Raffle will also be drawn Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce office. Raffle tickets for the king-size quilt, crafted by the Pentwater Women’s Club, have been sold since May by club members, at designated downtown merchants, and during the weekly civic band concerts. Still available through August 16, their sale benefits the club’s scholarship fund.
Another highlight every year is the Grand Parade, this year on Saturday, August 16 at 4 p.m. The parade begins at the school, follows Park Street to Hancock, goes through the shopping district, and ends at Cenzo’s Market. Parade enthusiasts have already staked out their viewing spots with chairs and blankets along the parade route Friday night and Saturday morning. Families are invited to enter their own float, along with entries from village churches, merchants, clubs and organizations. Fire departments from surrounding communities, politicians, county businesses and nonprofits, MSU and U of M fans also participate and crowds, up to six people deep, roar their approval. Kids bring bags to fill with the trinkets and treats distributed by parade marchers.
Saturday ends with a bang, literally. A grand fireworks display, widely considered a better show than the Fourth of July display, is shot over Lake Michigan from the north pier at the channel. Waiting until it is dark enough for greatest viewing pleasure, crowds anchor their boats in Lake Michigan, fill the beach at Mears State Park, and set up chairs and blankets all along the channel. Following the finale of color in the sky, there is a long parade of green lights on Pentwater Lake as boats take families back home.
Readers are welcome to enjoy all Homecoming events. In addition to those already mentioned, Friday events include a movie on the Village Green at 8 p.m., “Frozen”; Saturday events include a Big Ten Tailgate Party behind the Village Café from noon until 8 p.m., and a Horseshoe Tournament at 1 p.m. (call Dennis Veine at 231-869-4169 to register participation). Sunday includes a Pancake Breakfast at the Pentwater VFW Hall from 8 a.m. to noon.
Those who decide to join in the fun and festivities, be sure to wear good walking shoes as parking space will be limited.
It is also very important to note that one exceptional person will be greatly missed during this year's Homecoming festivities. The role of Grand Parade Marshal is filled by the Pentwater Citizen of the Year, selected by the Pentwater Service Club for their contributions to the community. In a surprise move, the committee chose to honor Bart Zachrich, an active community leader who passed away unexpectedly in January of this year. Zachrich and his wife, Lynne, moved to Pentwater in 2019 after his retirement from a career in education in which he served as a teacher and as a principal. Always ready with a smile, he was soft-spoken and never sought attention. One might think he was shy. However, he never shied away from leadership or hard work. He was just as comfortable in highly visible roles of responsibility as he was in background roles of service. His servant heart and spirit of volunteerism inspired those around him to volunteer more freely.
In the Pentwater Service Club, Zachrich arranged the weekly speaker program (30 spots a year) for four years, managed the busy caramel corn production schedule, sold hot dogs in the Duncan Wagon at craft fairs, and served in the offices of vice president and president.
At the Centenary United Methodist Church, Zachrich chaired the Church Council for three years, served on the property management committee (often a time-consuming and underappreciated role), and faithfully worked in the kitchen and dining room for the Wednesday night Community Dinners. A congenial host, he was hospitable to strangers and friends alike.
In the Pentwater Historical Society, Zachrich served stints as treasurer and vice president, worked as a docent and helped create a marketing video featuring longtime village members. He had a creative mind and a sweet spirit. He has been and will continue to be deeply missed. His family will be present for Homecoming in his place and will return for the special October dinner in his honor at the Yacht Club.
Thank you to Mark Trierweiler for providing some of the information about Bart Zachrich.
