Anchor Day is always the third Saturday in July and the parade that starts around 1 p.m. brings out many of the 2,000 people who live there in the summer (250 in the winter) to watch and cheer along with the others like us from Traverse City and our friends the Woodruff's from Cedar.

It begins with a "fun run" at 7:30 a.m. at the anchor located on Empire Beach where the locals dragged it ashore some years ago.

The Leelanau Farmers' Market is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. next to the Post Office in downtown Empire and from 10 a.m. the Empire Eagles sell hotdogs from a cart on Front Street and we bought some for $2 each. Activities are coordinated by the Empire Township Fire and Rescue  Department, area Chamber of Commerce and other civic groups including the Lions Club and the Eagles throughout the day.

The parade "so nice it goes around twice," forms at the corner of Union and Niagara Streets with entries and marchers heading east on Front and circles around the town to repeat. It begins with a team of horses clopping down the street led by a man holding a whip and inspiring them with shouts of "giddyup, there." Among other entries are Dave and Diane Taghon in their 1936 Ford Deluxe (with granddaughter Katie tossing candy to the kids on the route), the  Empire Fire Department, local Sheriff patrol cars, a police car with "Anchors of Democracy" banners on it, kids wearing masks made by local folks, and even others with water balloons and squirt guns to cool off the bystanders.

Last year's theme was about endangered species and some well-costumed marchers carried "Save the Lamprey" placards, while others promoted recycling. Each year has a different theme.

After the parade, children's games are held at the South Bar Lake Beach and a street dance on Front Street near the township hall at 8 p.m. The Empire Lions Club holds its annual Chicken Barbeque dinner from 2 - 6 p.m. at the Empire Township Hall on Front Street.  One can eat right near there at Joe's Friendly Tavern across from the Post Office.

Len Barnes is Editor Emeritus of Michigan Living Magazine. He and Ellen live on Traverse City's Old Mission Peninsula.