Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum hosting special events

When visiting the lakes community this summer, consider taking a step back in time.

The Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum has served the Lakeland area since 1987. The museum is filled with all sorts of local history, clothing, old relics and artifacts.

The museum also offers summer programs for those interested.

“During the week of July 4, we have Youth History Club and the Centennial Homes program happening,” said Jamie Clemons, director of the museum.

The club meets from 10:3011:30 a.m. Thursday, July 6. Games and math bowl will take place that day. Math bowl is a game played primarily by adults of the Potawatomi people from the area, but it was also played by many other tribes. It is a game of chance and is played very similar to dice games now.

“It was used as a way to pass time and used in certain celebrations,” said Clemons.

Fourth of July fireworks to light up the sky

It’s that time of year againtime to celebrate independence. Both Wawasee and Syracuse property owners associations will provide two nights of firework displays.

Wawasee Lake

This years’ firework display will blow all other years out of the water. The Wawasee fireworks will take place, weather permitting, at 10:15 p.m. Saturday, July 1.

The show is carefully choreographed to music, so to immerse yourself farther into the show, turn your radio to Willie 103.5 FM.

Streaming the radio station over the internet will not be synchronized with the fireworks.

Thanks to donor support, the Wawasee Property Owners Association increased the number of barges in its fleet from eight to 10, adding two new heavy-duty barges.

The growth in floating square feet supports separating the barges into three clusters to form an elongated launch site on the water.

The multi-location configuration improves the reliability of the show, increases safety, and will significantly enhance the visual effects of the annual fireworks celebration.

Syracuse Lake

The Syracuse fireworks will be held starting at 10 p.m. Tuesday, July, 4, 2023 over Syracuse Lake.

The Wawasee Boat Company is once again a corporate sponsor for the fireworks show.

This year, there will a couple new barges, making for a bigger, better show. The Main Channel Marina has donated the use of a forklift to lift and place the barges.

Viewers can tune into 93.7 The Mix and enjoy synchronized music to the fireworks show. The music will be a mix of patriotic music and songs made by rising country music stars. The music is courtesy of Syracuse Lake Association.

The Centennial Homes program is at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 8. The topic focuses on the fish hatchery.

The museum is located inside the Syracuse Community Center, 1013 N. Long Drive, across from Lakeside Park.

Regular hours are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. For other events, visit syracusemuseum.org or call (574) 457-3599 for more information.