Even though it’s definitely summer in the Upper Peninsula, that did not stop campers at Baraga State Park from making it feel like the holiday season.

The state park is celebrating its ninth annual Christmas in July this weekend.  Friday night, kids decorated stockings to hang by a cardboard chimney, and campers were decking out their campsites with all sorts of Christmas decorations.

“The park is so pretty and bright,” Baraga State Park accounting assistant Kelly Somero said.  “If you’re across the other side of the bay you can see it (the Christmas lights) across the bay.  It’s just so much fun and Christmas is usually a happy time for everybody so people are doing something they already enjoy plus getting into that holiday spirit I think (the event) combines two things people love already:  camping and Christmas.”

Somero said one of her favorite things about Christmas in July is seeing families come back year after year for the event.

“It’s tradition for them now and it’s tradition for us and it’s something really special, I think, to them and to us.  Talking to them about the first one up until now and getting to see these traditions and spend them with our campers who are more than just our guests now, we’re like old friends.”

Events continue Saturday and include a visit from Santa and the campsite decorating contest.  All events are free to attend, but to enter the park residents will have to use their recreational passport or purchase one for $11.

A list of Baraga State Park events can be found by clicking here or here.