OTTAWA COUNTY — Summertime in Ottawa County offers more than just rising temperatures and beautiful days — it brings a vibrant lineup of festivals, concerts, and community events that showcase the area's local spirit and natural beauty.

From lakeside music performances to county fairs, art festivals to fireworks displays, there's something for every family to enjoy throughout the warm weather months.

Here’s your guide to some of the notable summer events Ottawa County has to offer:

• Spring Lake Heritage Festival: The Spring Lake Heritage Festival is an annual event that occurs around mid-June. This year’s festival takes place June 7-13. Some of the activities you'll find at the festival include a 5K run and walk, an Artisan Street Market, a Family Fun Night, a Food Truck Event, and a car show on that Friday to wrap up the fun-filled week. More information can be found on the Spring Lake Heritage Festival  Facebook page.
• Sand Sculpture Contest, June 14 (Grand Haven): Grand Haven's annual Sand Sculpture Contest invites artists of all ages to transform the beach into a gallery of temporary art pieces as teams or individually. The contest includes three categories: individual, youth group, and adult group. The top three sculptors from each category will be awarded. Spectators who are not competing in the contest can still participate with a “people’s choice” vote, which will be tallied alongside a panel of local judges. You can register online through Eventbrite, via email by contacting Natalie at intern@visitgrandhaven.com, or in person by filling out the registration form and bringing it to the Grand Haven Area Visitors Bureau office at 512 Washington Ave., Grand Haven.
• Grand Haven Pride Festival, June 14 (Grand Haven): The annual Grand Haven Pride Festival celebrates diversity and inclusion with a day of community building, entertainment, and family-friendly activities. The festival will feature live music, food trucks, and a Pride Market to celebrate LGBTQ+ business owners and artists. All are welcome to join in the celebration of the vibrant LGBTQ+ community in Ottawa County. The festival takes place noon-9 p.m. at the Lynn Sherwood Waterfront Stadium.
• Grand Haven Art Festival, June 27-29 (Grand Haven): The annual Grand Haven Art Festival is a three-day event where artists can showcase their work and share their creativity with the community. Local and regional artists showcase their creations on Washington Avenue, which will be transformed into a beautiful art gallery. This free event will include beautiful one-of-a-kind pieces of art that can be purchased directly from the artist. Family Fun Day is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, contact the organizers at 616-842-4910.
• Fourth of July Fireworks, July 4 (Grand Haven): Grand Haven's Independence Day celebration lights up the night sky once again with a spectacular fireworks display. Beginning tentatively around dusk or 10:10 p.m. at the Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium, the fireworks display will coincide with the Musical Fountain’s patriotic performance. 
• Fourth of July Fireworks, July 4 (Holland): Holland hosts its own Independence Day fireworks celebration over Lake Macatawa from Kollen Park. Food will be available noon-10 p.m., with the fireworks display beginning around dusk. This free, all-day event encourages people to bring their family and friends to experience a full evening of fun and celebration.
• Ottawa County Fair, July 21-26 (Holland): The Ottawa County Fair brings an assortment of fun activities to Holland. Six days of displays, carnival rides, live entertainment, and classic fair food. Families can enjoy livestock shows, motorsports, and concerts featuring local and regional performers. The fair aims to bring youth, young families, and adults of all ages together for agricultural education, affordable family fun, and recreation within a safe and friendly environment.
• Coast Guard Festival, July 25-Aug. 3 (Grand Haven): Grand Haven's signature summer event, the Coast Guard Festival, honors the U.S. Coast Guard with nine days of celebration featuring parades, live music, carnival rides, and so much more. The festival includes the famous Grand Parade, Coast Guard demonstrations, fireworks, and food vendors that line all the surrounding streets. Everyone is welcome to participate as the community comes together to celebrate the Coast Guard's vital role in protecting the Great Lakes.
• Art in the Park, Aug. 2 (Holland): Holland's annual Art in the Park event showcases local and artistic talent in a beautiful outdoor setting. The event draws one of the largest influxes of visitors to the city on a single day as up to 300 artists from across eight states display their work. The event is sponsored by the Holland Friends of Art, a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships for art students, awards money for local and regional art competitions and direct support for artists and free community programs.
• Coopersville Car Show, Aug. 8-9 (Coopersville): Car, motorcycle, and truck enthusiasts gather for the Coopersville Car Show and Summerfest, one of the largest linear car shows in West Michigan. Held in Downtown Coopersville on Main Street, registration is open until July 31. Food vendors will also be in attendance, along with other community events that will be happening alongside the car show, such as an Arts and Crafts show and an Entertainment Tent. More information can be found on the Coopersville Car Show Facebook page.
• Music on the Grand, Every Wednesday Evening All Summer (Grand Haven): Grand Haven's weekly summer concert series brings live music to the waterfront every Wednesday evening throughout the summer months. Event times in June and July are 7-9 p.m., and August times are 6:30-8:30 p.m. More details can be found on the Music on the Grand Facebook page.

— Contact Diego Storck at dstorck@ottawanewsnetwork.org.