The Fourth of July is often referred to as the official start of the summer vacation season.

But for those who work in restaurants, retail, or at the local marina, summer is hardly a vacation.

Jacqueline Colby, like many of Leelanau County's
young residents, will be working this
Fourth of July.

Nicole Nemecek, who works at the Western Avenue Grill in Glen Arbor, knows this feeling. With quiet winters, the summer rush is a welcome change — most of the time.

"Revenue definitely increases," said Nemecek, who's worked at the restaurant for three years. "But everyone wants it (July Fourth) off," she added.

The restaurant often gets so "slammed" that tables are full inside and outside, and there's often a waiting line. Workers spend long nights on their feet while working double shifts.

"It's overly crowded because everyone wants to get in and out and back on the water," Nemecek says. "It's good for business, there's more money to be made."

But, Nemecek doesn't often get to celebrate like the visitors do on the Fourth.

"I had the Fourth off last year," she said, "but I think I worked for five years straight on the Fourth before that. Before last year, never."

If she had the holiday off again this year, which she says she won't, she'd spend it doing what everyone else is doing.

"I'd enjoy the water, sit on a boat, and make someone wait on me!" she said with a smile.

With things picking up in the restaurant business, it's not hard to imagine the rest of the town picking up, too. Especially on the lake.

Privately owned summer homes on Big and Little Glen lakes are occupied, and the water gets hopping.

"It gets super busy," said Jacqueline Colby, a Glen Craft Marina employee. She's on her feet most of the day, running up and down docks at the marina putting gas in boats and sending out rentals.

The nice part about her job is that she can get a tan while working.

"The Fourth brings more people," said Colby, "the town isn't so isolated."

For young people who work in the area, the season adds a bit of excitement.

"It brings so many more people to town and does a lot for the local businesses," she said of the summer rush at Glen Craft and in Glen Arbor around the Fourth.

Glen Craft, much like local restaurants, gets a boost in sales and revenue during the busy summer season.

"Increased revenue happens because of so many gas customers," said Colby.
Glen Craft is one of only two marinas on Glen Lake so it often has a line waiting in the harbor.

"We probably serve hundreds of gas customers every day," she said of the number who pull up to the dock.

While Glen Craft is a busy place on the Fourth, Colby had the holiday off in the past.

"Family is usually here," she said, "but this year, they are coming a week later."

Which means that Colby will be working for the first time in her four years at the marina on the Fourth.

"Usually, I'd be out on the boat or in the Glen Craft float for the parade," she adds.