Ever Heard of Charcadia?

Have you ever heard of Charcadia?  Well, The Plymouth Fife and Drum Corps, (PFDC) have.  Although there is no such place, PFDC combined the names of Charlevoix and Arcadia and lovingly refers to their annual trek north as their trip to Charcadia where they will once again participate in the Street Parade at the Charlevoix Venetian Festival and Arcadia Daze Gala Parade at the Arcadia Daze Festival. The weekend is one of PFDC’s favorite overnight events and serves as a precursor or “practice” for their annual 10 day tour they take during the first week of August to Revolutionary War historical landmarks.  This year they will be touring the state of Virginia. 

The Charlevoix Venetian Festival’s Street Parade takes place on Bridge Street, Saturday, July 26, 2014 at 11:00 AM.  Originating 84 years ago as a simple candle-lit boat parade, it has since grown into over a week-long celebration from Saturday, July 19 to the 26th.  Packed full of music, sports, boats, parades, carnival rides and fireworks, the color and pageantry of the festival is the highlight of the summer season with events for every age group and attracts tens of thousands of visitors.  So, what’s missing from the Venetian Festival you may ask?  Admission fees are missing.  All of the big events and entertainment offered at the Venetian Festival are absolutely free of charge to the public! For a complete schedule of events, please visit http://www.venetianfestival.com/ 

The Plymouth Fife and Drum Corps has been a guaranteed crowd pleaser for many years.  Immediately following the Street Parade, PFDC will perform at Bridge Park at 12:15 PM.   “The Corps loves coming back each year for the Venetian Festival. Charlevoix is beautiful, the people are great, and the fireworks are awesome!” said PFDC Musical Director, Jim Predhomme.  

The Corps arrives in Charlevoix Friday night and spends two nights in the old middle school gym, sleeping on air mattresses.  “It’s like one big sleep over!” exclaimed PFDC Public Relations Chairman Lisa LiGreci. They depart on Sunday, July 25th to take part in the Arcadia Daze Gala Parade, presented by the Arcadia Lions Club. 

Celebrating 33 years, Arcadia Daze takes place the weekend of July 25 – 27, 2014.  The weekend is chock full of events such as an Auto Muster, 5K run, Kids Fishing, Arts & Crafts Fair and lots of live music to dance to.  You won’t go hungry at Arcadia Daze.  Friday features Pulled Pork sandwiches with all the fixings’.   Start your day on Saturday at The Lions Pancake Breakfast.  Enjoy a ham and German potato salad lunch served at Trinity Lutheran Church, then dinner at Finch Park for BBQ Chicken.  If you missed breakfast on Saturday, that’s OK, there will be another Lions Pancake Breakfast on Sunday!  For a complete schedule of events please visit http://www.arcadiatwpmi.org/

The Arcadia Daze Gala Parade runs along Lake Street. “We call it the backwards parade!” stated LiGreci.  The people love seeing the Corps so much; they requested a concert across Finch Park at 12:30 PM and for PFDC to march the parade route backwards to the marina which kicks off the parade at 1:30.   

For more information about Plymouth Fife and Drum Corps and to help support their efforts, please visit http://www.gofundme.com/Please-Help-PFDC