Visit to Beverly Shores Summerfest

note new start time!

the parade begins earlier than usual this year. arrive for parking at the train station at 11:00 AM, then walk north on Broadway, and meet at the southwest corner of Broadway & Marne by 11:30 to view the parade.

i will probaby be there waiting in our shiny golf cart, Bluesheen, which will provide parade view seating for a couple people, as well as transportation to the beachside Summerfest headquarters.

in 2025, after a morning of rain, i decided to cancel our group's participation in the Beverly Shores Summerfest. the Summerfest was still held, with diminished attendance, and 3-4 people from our group went individually, but we didn't attend as a group. we'll look forward to better results in 2026.

dear friends--

i invite you to join us at the annual Beverly Shores Summerfest, with a silly but cute parade, food and drink booths set up at the beach, and live entertainment.

the Association of Beverly Shores Residents organizes the Summerfest. here is what they have to say about this year's theme--

SAVE THE DATE! AAARRRRR!

Avast ye Scalliwags! SUMMERFEST BE COMIN’! July 25 is the date this year, but it shan’t be Christmas in July! No! It be PIRATES of the South Shore comin’ to Summerfest! The annual best parrrty on the Third Coast will feature some old reliable features, new scheduling, AND some surprises along the way.

First, to the NEW SCHEDULING – the Parade will step off at 11:30 AM, running Summerfest from 11:00am (collecting at 4 corners) to 10:00pm (last call for Grog). Now some of you will recall this is like the before times (before COVID), but it is new for everyone else.

Now, to the treasures to be found at Summerfest!

The Parade – Come as a classic Buccaneer! Wear tattered clothes and carry toy guns and be a Somali Pirate (“I’m the Captain, now!)! Bring along your Major General and be a Pirate of Penzance! Shoot, grab 8 of your friends and be a baseball team from Pittsburgh. We will also be welcoming a PET PARADE! Parrots, Crocs, Rats from the Bilge, Dogs and Cats walking together! Total anarchy! There is a treasure chest full of options that we know the creative lubbers of Beverly Shores can come up with!

Food – ABSARRR, teaming up with the DWC, PAL, and the ALC, will be bringing lunch from noon to 4. Then food trucks will come in to satisfy any hungry Swashbucklers into the evening.

Drink – ABSARRR will be serving up wine, beer, and sodas throughout the event (sorry, no real plans for Grog)

Entertainment – Kevin Kinsey and Funky Mojo Daddy will be our headliner Saturday night to dance the night away and will follow Johnny V as the opener. Due to popular demand, afternoon Karaoke will return so we can all warm up our pipes and get going on our sweet dance moves! We will also be having a Dunk Tank and a Corn Hole Tournament in the afternoon for some additional fun! Who knows, maybe even the Flying Dutchman will anchor just off shore!

So find your eye patch, your peg leg, and your Parrrot and follow the treasure map to where X marks the spot! Summerfest 2026! Saturday, July 25! It’ll be the PARRRTY OF THE YEARRR!

there is no fee or registration for this event, but bring along some cash for the refreshment booths at the beach.

we will park at the train station, then walk up Broadway, and meet as a group at the southwest corner of Broadway & Marne, to view the parade together, then proceed up Broadway to the Lake.

you may use the restrooms at the Depot, or at the Marathon station, before walking toward the beach, or at Lakeview Beach down at the lakefront when you get there.

arrive for parking at 11:00 CT; 12:00 ET

if you arrive late, just walk north on Broadway to the festival and look for us. to recognize me if we haven't met, i will be wearing a faded blue hat that says "GREECE" on it. you may also call me at 773-415-0428.

hope to see you there,

Rick

photos from previous Summerfests

2014 https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/events/181802932/

2015 https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/26274511/

2023 https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/33702166/

2024 https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/34764169/