Sparks Of Excitement In Syracuse

Sparks(of excitement)

Soaring In Syracuse This Fourth Of July This year Syracuse is presenting two amazing fireworks shows—one on Syracuse Lake and one on Lake Wawasee. Onlookers are sure to see some amazing by Mary Jane Bogle pyrotechnics on full display. photos by Mike Deak, Sue Pais, visitkosciuskocounty.org

Nothing says ‘summer’ quite like fireworks from a lake, and there’s no better place to view the celebration of our nation’s independence than the lakes of Kosciusko County.

Fireworks

Advertised as the largest community fireworks show ever, the 2022 Lake Wawasee fireworks celebration is slated for Saturday, July 2, at 10:15 p.m. It promises to be spectacular, especially if you’re fortunate enough to view the display from the water, where the brilliant flashes of color reflect magnificently on the lapping waves.

Not to be outdone by its lakeside neighbor, Syracuse Lake will be offering its own Independence Day celebration on Monday, July 4, at dusk. No boat? No problem. You

Food

During your Syracuse stay, you won’t want to miss some excellent dining options, featuring traditional fare at Pat’s Chicago Dogs, Huntington Street Bar & Grill, Man Cave Brewing Company, and Chubbies. Kiyomi serves some of the best sushi and Asian cuisine in the region, while Kelly Jae’s Lakeside, Westmain Kitchen, Down Under, and The Pier & Back Porch at Oakwood Resort offer a range of local farm-to-table and puband-grub choices.

Looking for a good cup of joe? Be sure to visit Brew City Roasting Company, voted New Business of the Year by the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce. Or stop by Mug Shots Coffeehouse and Eatery, where you’ll find some of the best coffee, breakfast, and lunch selections around.

No July celebration would be complete without ice cream, and once again, Syracuse doesn’t disappoint. One look at the steady traffic at Joe’s Ice Cream Shop tells all you need to know about its confectionery delights.

Fun

Need some souvenirs to remember your Syracuse stay? Stop by the Wawasee Gift Shop or Absolutely Apparel & Gifts, where you’ll find a wide range of clothing, accessories, and décor. Need to shop on a shoestring? The Revolving Closet is a bargain hunter’s dream, offering a huge variety of designer options in all sizes and styles. Or meander through Shops at The Grand or My Red Moon, where you’ll discover any number of vintage finds.

can view the Syracuse Lake fireworks from a variety of locations along the shoreline, including Lakeview Park, where the kids can play on the public beach until the show begins. If you know you want to watch either show from the waves, be sure to visit Wawasee Boat Company or Main Channel Marina for a variety of pontoon rental options. Truly, Syracuse is the perfect destination for all the fun, food, and festivities you can handle this Fourth of July—and all summer long!

Flotilla: Commodore winner 2021

Festivities

Other “don’t miss” festivities around the Fourth include the 61st anniversary of the Wawasee Flotilla, complete with an annual boat parade on July 2, starting at 11:30 a.m. at The Spinx, and its accompanying road race on July 4, kicking off at 8 a.m. at Lakeside Park. Be sure to check out over 12 miles of trails that wind around the lakes. Maybe start training weeks earlier in Syracuse to prep for either the 3.3- or 8-mile run.