July 3rd, 2009 - Preparations are underway this evening for this year's annual Luna Pier Day. Normally held the Saturday prior to the 4th of July, this year the date is July 4th. This evening we found the folks at 11279 Harold Drive ready to go for tomorrow morning's city-wide yard sale. Near the beachhouse John Scott, owner of the popular Rock 'n Roll Café, was washing down the mobile food truck in preparation for tomorrow's sales of their also-popular 1/2 lb steak sandwiches and corn dogs. And this year's inflatables suppliers was found raising the climbing wall into position.

The city-wide yard sales will take place across the city in the morning and into the afternoon. Evening events at the beachfront will include the presentation of Citizen Of The Year, and a professional fireworks show launched from the pier that goes into Lake Erie.

Please Note: The eastern end of Luna Pier Rd. and the two parking lots near the beachhouse are closed until the morning of July 5th. The pier will be closed prior to the transport of the fireworks to the launch location until the morning of July 5th.

June 27, 2009 - Updated rules for use of the Clyde R. Evans Municipal Pier have been posted near the opening in the dyke wall that's the entrance to the pier itself. The sign reads as follows:

Clyde R. Evans Municipal Pier
Enjoy at your own risk
Rules as posted
1) No alcohol
2) No open fires
3) No swimming, diving, entering water from the pier
4) No bikes, roller blades, skateboards
5) No animals except service animals
6) No glass containers
7) No vehicles except motorized wheelchairs & similar devices

The flags and balloon indicating the station is now open.

June 25, 2009 - The Sunoco station in Luna Pier re-opened this morning and has had a fairly steady stream of customers throughout the day. Along with the convenience store items customers have been used to in that location (east of I-75 at exit 6 in Michigan), the store will also offer slushies and hot dogs. The station and its store are not yet open 24/7 as the signs indicate, but will do so prior to the 4th of July weekend.

Tiffany waits on a customer this afternoon.

June 21, 2009 - Cruisers Car Hop, located in the west end of Pier Plaza in the northwest corner of the laundromat space, opened for business today to quite a few customers. The restaurant officially opened at about noon, with Murph from Lighthouses by Murphy being the first customer shortly afterward. We thought they'd opened yesterday, but instead the five of us, Mayor Mary and Dave, with sons Caleb and Aaron and friend Bryant, ended up being the next customers to order. It wasn't too long after that Dave shot the photo below of a decent-size crowd in the diner.

Head on over to Dave's blog, Luna Pier Cook, for a look at Cruisers Coney Dogs with handmade sauce, and the Deep-Fried Macaroni & Cheese Wedges.

June 16, 2009 - Andrew's Place, the venerable dollar (or thereabouts) store just east of Luna Pier's Post Office, is now open for business for the summer of 2009. Along with clothing and collectibles, the store offers scrapbooking supplies, hair and beauty supplies, games and recreation items, and much more.

June 14, 2009 - Following a couple years or more of careful design and construction, Cruisers, a hot dog diner and ice cream parlor, is finally set to open. Located in the west end of Luna Pier Plaza, the diner has a full complement of hard and soft ice cream equipment, a Star 50-hot dog roller grill, a specialized hamburger grill, a self-contained deep fryer, and an interior designed to reflect Michigan's automotive history, especially in regards to a number of variations of muscle cars. Owner Chuck Ness and his wife are shooting for an opening the weekend of June 20th. Future possibilities are drive-up car service with waitresses on rollerskates bringing your food to your vehicle, just like an American diner in the 1950s.

Various locations in the city of Luna Pier are available for weddings, including the beach, the gazebo in the center of First Street Park, and for a fee the Community Center can be rented for the reception. Contact Mayor Liske or City Hall for details.

• Beach Wedding Gallery (wedding from August 8, 2008)
• Gazebo Wedding Galley (wedding from June 12, 2009)

Dhani waits on some visitors to the beach.

June 13, 2009 - Yesterday, the folks from the Luna Pier Market opened the city's beachhouse concession for the summer. Dhani (pronounced da-HA-nee), aka "Dee", will run the beachhouse with the assistance of Lisa, who lives nearby. Together, they're currently offering chips and snacks, along with Blue Bunny ice cream novelties, and live bait for fishing. They'll likely offer additional items as the summer progresses.

June 13, 2009 - More than two years after closing under poor conditions, the Sunoco station in Luna Pier is set to re-open. This afternoon Mary received a tour of the station from new owner J.R. (shown in the above photo). J.R. told the Mayor he and his employees are working toward opening next Saturday, June 20th. Employees have been stocking shelves and coolers with various products, along with getting the Beantown coffee station ready with its new commercial Bunn equipment.

June 8, 2009 - Members of the Luna Pier Fire Department dig a trench near the parking lot at the east end of Luna Pier Rd. Practicing digging a fire break? Well, kinda sorta maybe ... The technique was used to create a trench for the installation of upgraded electrical service for events.