What's On This Weekend: June 30-July 2

Warning: You might get exhausted just reading through this list. There is a lot -- A LOT! -- going on in our lovely little corner of the world this Independence Day weekend. Fireworks, parades, hot air balloons, movies under the stars and outdoor concerts are just a sliver of the fun-filled happenings.

I want to do it all, though the kids would probably be perfectly content with ice cream and some beach time. The reality will probably be somewhere between the two.

Whatever shape your plans take, have a fun, safe holiday weekend!

FRIDAY

• Make your way to New Buffalo for a lakeside weekend of surfing demos, outdoor movies, concerts, fireworks and more (through July 4)

• Pick blueberries and raspberries -- and play with the farm animals -- at the season opener of Bumbleberry Acres in South Haven (through Sunday)

• Catch a free screening of "The Sandlot" as part of the Free Kid Flicks series at Celebration! Cinema Woodland in GR (series runs through July 6)

• Check out the hot air balloons and loads of kids' activities during the Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show & Balloon Festival's Kids' Day (festival through July 4)

• Find a prime spot in Dowagiac to view the first of the area's weekend fireworks shows

• Create a colorful collage of prints using animal and natural textures at DeGraaf Nature Center in Holland

• Grab a blanket and watch "Sing!" on the open air big screen at Riverfront Park in Niles

SATURDAY

• Test your "spitability" during Tree-Mendus' cherry pit spitting contest for all ages in Eau Claire

• Pick up clues and search for the colorful spheres during the DeGraaf Nature Center's pom pom scavenger hunt in Holland

• Create a one-of-a-kind work of art in downtown Niles during the free Youth Art Day

• Drive the back roads to Sister Lakes for the Fourth of July parade and fireworks

• Ride the Silver Beach Carousel, watch the sunset and then settle in for "Secret Life of Pets" at Whirlpool Centennial Park in St Joe

• Celebrate Independence Day with live music, delicious drinks, bounce house, inflatable slide and yard games at Baroda's Round Barn Winery

• Get your dose of art, as well as live music and local food, during South Haven's annual juried art fair (through Sunday)

• Make a fun Independence Day craft to take home at the Curious Kids' Museum in St Joe

SUNDAY

• Visit the picturesque Overhiser Orchards in South Haven for Family Farm Fest, with barnyard animals, a scavenger hunt, wagon rides and U-pick cherries

Check out all the spectacular details and more on the Southwest Michigan Kids calendar.