You May Want to Mark Your Calendars to Help Plan Your Vacation!

May 2008

May 15-17 - National Morel Mushroom Festival, Boyne City, Carnival, Mushroom Hunting, Cooking Demonstrations and lots of Morels! 231-582-6222

May 17 5k Run and Walk.  Bay Harbor will be swarming with runners and walkers for this event.  The race starts at 9am on Main St. and is designed for the novice to the veteran.  Call 231-439-2039 for more information.

May 17th  - Zoo-De-Mackinac - Enjoy the most scenic bicycle ride in the country. Ride starts across the street at Boyne Highlands and ends up on Mackinac Island. 313.821.8414

24th -26th - 44rd Annual Colonial Michilimackinac Pageant, Mackinaw City. Over 400 cast members take part in the re-enactment of events that took place between the French, British and Native Americans on June 2, 1763. Definitely worthwhile. 231-436-5574

June 2008

June 6th - Petoskey Spring Open House.  Come downtown and celebrate Spring!  Check out new merchandise before the summer season.  Enjoy a concert in the park and other street entertainment.  They'll be a raffle as well.

June 6th-15th - 59th Annual Lilac Festival.  Flowers, food, games, parades and a popular 10k run will all take place on Mackinac Island this week.  The Lilac Parade is one of the largest festival parades in the state.

June 7th - 9th - Free Fishing Weekend. No license needed to fish anywhere in Michigan

June 7th - 8th - Charlevoix Renaissance Festival at Castle Farms.  Action, Adventure and Romance all await you.  Grab your friends and family and enjoy the experience.  Call 231-237-0884 for times and prices.

June 13th -15th - Petoskey Youth Soccer Invitational, Petoskey. Enjoy this wonderful youth soccer competition. Call to sign your team up. 231-348-2947

June 13th-15th - 6th Annual In-Water Boat Show. Bay Harbor Marina. Personal watercrafts to mega yachts up to 95 feet will be on display. Over 60 exhibitors are on-hand with displays as well as presenting new and brokerage boats.

June 19th- Gallery Walk, Petoskey. The Galleries of downtown Petoskey invite you and your friends to an art lover's night out on the town for the 8th annual Gallery Walk. Visit 11 art galleries to view their art & enjoy fabulous food. 6pm - 9pm 231-347-4150

June 20th - 21st - Bay Harbor Concours d'Elegance - Vintage vehicles and classic boats. Friday night enjoy the northern Michigan Dream Cruise & on Saturday experience an exhibition with vintage wooden boats, antique vehicles & motorcycles  231-439-2700

June 21st - 22nd - 14th Annual Petoskey Sand Dig Beach Volleyball Tournament. Where better to play volleyball than on one of the most beautiful beaches in Northern Michigan?  Call 231-347-2500 to register.

June 26th -28th - 33rd Annual St. Ignace Car Show.  One of the largest car shows in the nation!  There is also a parade of lights on Friday night.  Call 1-800-970-8717 for more information.

30th - 28th Annual Home Tour - The tour features homes on Walloon Lake, with varied architectural styles including new log construction, a traditional lakeside cottage and a Carftsman inspired residence. Visitors make a day of it - touring stunning Walloon Lake homes with a stop for lunch in nearby Petoskey, Boyne City or Bay Harbor. 231-347-4337

July 2008

4 - 4th of July Celebrations -

Harbor Springs -

• 8:00 am and 8:15 am: Paul Revere 10 and 3 mile runs
• 9:00 am to 5:00 pm:  Juried Fine Arts Show in Zorn Park
• 1:00 pm: Independence Day Parade
• Dusk: Northern Michigan's Premier Fireworks Display

Petoskey -

• 6:00 pm - Parade featuring the Petoskey High School Marching Band and many other floats and entertainment.
• Food concessions will be set up at the waterfront
• Fireworks at Dusk overlooking Little Traverse Bay - if you sit in the right spot, you can catch an awesome display of both Petoskey & Harbor Springs!

Horton Bay -

• 1:00 pm - Horton Bay. Enjoy the wackiest 4th of July parade ever! 

Mackinaw Music Cruises - CMU Public Broadcasting announces the return of these popular cruises during July and August. Take part in this unforgettable two hour cruise that will feature a sunset ride under the Mackinac Bridge, live performances from Michigan musicians and hearty hors d'oeuvres. Tickets are $40 per person, per cruise, or $110 for a package of three. Visit www.wcmu.org or call 1-800-727-9269.

Concerts in the Park - Pennsylvania Park, downtown Petoskey. Enjoy wonderful concerts with a variety of music every Tuesday at 12:15pm and Fridays at 12:15pm and 7pm.

Street Musique Summer Concert Series - downtown Harbor Springs. Enjoy the sounds of Jim Greenway and Friends, Craig Cotrill Band, Steve Little and more. Held every Thursday throughout July, between 7-9pm starting July 5th.

July 5th & 6th - Petoskey's Summer Antiques Festival - 10am at North Central Michigan College. 130 Regional and National antique merchants will be setting up booths at this really great festival.

July 9th - Harbor Springs Women's Club Art Fest at Nubs Nob 9:30am - 4:30pm. This 25th annual juried art fest is terrific. 231-526-0926

July 11th - 13th - 28th Annual Blissfest Music Festival, Cross Village. This outdoor music festival offers blues, jazz, folk and roots music. Food vendors, workshops plus craft booths and a full array of children's music, arts and dance activities are offered. 231-348-7047

July 14th - 20th- 11th Annual Shay Days, Harbor Springs. Celebrate the life and times of Ephraim Shay, inventor of the Shay locomotive. the Shay house is in the shape of a hexagon where you will be able to view model trains, train videos, replicas, slide shows and more. 231-526-9771

July 19th - Art in the Park, Petoskey. Over 100 exhibitors will be at this juried fine art show. This is one of Petoskey's finest traditions and is always held the 3rd Saturday in July 231-347-4150

July 20th - 26th - 77th Annual Charlevoix Venetian Festival, parade, carnival, unbelievable fireworks 231-547-2101

July 25th -26th - Sidewalk Sales, Petoskey. Bargains galore can be found throughout the streets of Petoskey. This annual event is well attended and you are sure to leave with more than you came with!... 9am-9pm Friday and 10am-6pm Saturday 231-347-4150

July 25th -27th - Little Traverse Bay Regatta, Harbor Springs. Over 100 sailboats participate in the oldest race of its kind. Best viewing times are 11am - 3 pm each race day. 231-526-7919

August 2008

Mackinaw Music Cruises - CMU Public Broadcasting announces the return of these popular cruises during July and August. Take part in this unforgettable two hour cruise that will feature a sunset ride under the Mackinac Bridge, live performances from Michigan musicians and hearty hors d'oeuvres. Tickets are $40 per person, per cruise, or $110 for a package of three. Visit www.wcmu.org or call 1-800-727-9269.

August 1st - 2nd - 9th Annual Bay Harbor Art Fair, Bay Harbor. This juried art fair will feature fine artists, craftspeople, music and children's entertainment.439-2745

August 2nd - 3rd - Petoskey Summer Antiques Festival, Petoskey. The midwest's most charming antiques market offering food and live music. 586-465-9441

August 3rd - Coastal Crawl, One, two and three mile swimming races in beautiful Little Traverse Bay.Held at Zorn Park Public Beach, Harbor Springs. 526-9824

August 9th - 11th Annual Odawa Homecoming - Admission to this cutural event is free and open to the general public. Singing and dancing are a big part of this event, and don't miss the drum contest and Miss Odawa Contest. Grand entry times are 1pm and 7pm on Saturday and 12 (noon) on Sunday. Phone: 231-242-0347

August 8th - 10th - Alanson Riverfest 2007 This brand new festival, in tandem with the Crooked River limited hydroplane boat races, offers something for everyone. Fantastic music under the tent from noon until midnight on Saturday. BBQ from 11 - 4. Motorcycle show, boat show, Top of Michigan Boat Races and the Huck Finn Boat Race and boat parade.

August 14th -Bay View Handbell Concert.  This concert is in its 31st year and is an annual sell-out. Call 231-347-6225 for more information.

August 15th - 17th - Petoskey's Festival on the Bay, "A Celebration of Life on Little Traverse Bay". Kite flying, stunt bike demos, Triathlon, a Wellness Run, good food and music. Held at the Petoskey Waterfront. 231-347-4150

August 17th - Taste of Bay Harbor - 12pm - 4pm at the Bay Harbor Lake Marina and held in conjunction with Petoskey's Festival on the Bay. Diverse samplings from a number of Bay Harbor's restaurants will be available to sample. Entertainment and activities will be apart of the event...so bring the whole family!

August 19th - 24th - Emmet-Charlevoix County Fair.  Fun, fun and more fun!  Come enjoy games, rides and lots of  food. 

September 2008

September 1st - Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk, 5 mile walk across the world's longest bridge of this kind. 7am - 11am. Mackinaw City. 888-455-8100

September 5th - 6th - Hopps of Fun Beer and Wine Festival.  This Mackinaw City event will feature an extensive sampling of 50 plus award winning Michigan microbrewed beers and more than 40 wines.  231-436-5664.

September 12th - 14th - Bay Harbor Fishing Tournament, This tournament is held in conjunction with the Lake Michigan Tournament Trail, featuring 14 Big Lake Tournaments that start in Michigan City, Indiana and conclude in Bay Harbor. Lots of prizes!

September 6th - 7th - PYSA Autumn Blast Soccer Tournament, invitational tournament, 231-348-2947

September 20th - Harbor Springs Cycling Classic , Harbor Springs. Enjoy this scenic bike tour through the famous Tunnel of Trees. 231-526-2151

September 20th - Taste of Harbor Springs, over 20 exhibitors ranging from restaurants and lunch counters to gourmet shops and confectioners. Sample appetizers, soups, entrees and desserts. Held at the Waterfront in Harbor Springs. 231-526-7999

September 28th - Boyne 2 Boyne Marathon.  This 26.2 mile route will take runners along Little Traverse Bay.  Enjoy the scenery of this pre-qualifer for the Boston Marathon!  810-714-5784.

October 2008

October 4th - Harbor Harvest Festival, Harbor Springs. Enjoy the arts and crafts fair during this 4th annual event. You will also find thee freshest produce at this Farmers Market. 231-526-7999

November 2008

November 29th - Petoskey Holiday Parade featuring a visit from Santa Claus, costumed characters and the Petoskey High School Marching Band. 10am, downtown Petoskey

December 2007

December 3rd -  Christmas Open House, Harbor Springs. In addition to offering a festive "taste" of Northern Michigan's best shopping, dining and services, the Harbor Springs Christmas Open House will be highlighted by late night shopping, in store incentives and refreshments and holiday entertainment, including horse and carriage rides down Main Street, and the annual arrival of Santa Claus by Harbor Springs Area Fire Department truck at 5:30pm at the Downtown Christmas Tree. Get in the spirit of the holidays at this small-town celebration! 6pm - 9pm

December 5th -  Christmas Open House, Petoskey. Enjoy an old fashioned, small town experience when you visit the Gaslight District in Petoskey on this night. You will love the carolers, roasted chestnuts and late night shopping 6-9 pm

31st - Nub's Nob New Year's Eve Fun, Celebrate the New Year with great tunes from 3pm - 6pm in the Nub's Pub. Then watch the Torchlight Parade beginning at 6pm at the bottom of the Green lift.

February 2008

February 15th - Blissfest Winter Concert Series - Peter Ostroushko at the Crooked Tree Arts Center in Petoskey.  Peter Ostroushko is one of the finest mandolin and fiddle players in the world.  Peter will be accompanied on guitar by Danny Gothham.  Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door.

February 16th - Petoskey's Winter Carnival.  Don't miss Petoskey's bump-jumping competition and the 15th Annual Cardboard Challenge at the Winter Sports Park.  A great day of family fun!

February 16th-17th- Free Fishing Weekend.  All fishing license fees will be waived for residents and out of state visitors who want to fish our lakes and streams this weekend.

February 22nd-24th - Burton Demo Tour at Boyne Highlands.  The tour features stops in the US where riders can test ride the latest Burton gear for FREE!

February 23rd - Burton Slopestyle Competition - Boyne Highlands.  The Burton Crew will be holding a Slopestyle competition in Boyne's terrain park.  Spectators are welcome.

February 24th - Burton Halfpipe Competition at Boyne Highlands.  This event will draw riders from all over the Midwest.

February 25th - 3-on-3 Indoor Soccer Championship at North Central Michigan College.  High school boys and girls are invited to take part in this event.

February 29th - Petoskey Boat Show at North Central Michigan College.  This is your best chance to see a huge selection of watercraft all under one roof.  The show runs all weekend.

March 2008

March 1st - Snow Softball Tournament.  Petoskey Bayfront park.  You don't need to wait to play softball this year!  Proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society.  For more information, call 231-548-3617.

March 1st-2nd - Wonder Weekend.  Wonder Weekend returns to Petoskey!  You'll find surprises in the unique and quaint shops we all love so much. 

March 2nd-3rd - Mackinaw Mush Annual Dog Sled Race.  The 19th annual gathering of these dogs is sure to be an exciting one.  The event takes off near the IGA in Mackinaw City.

March 8th - 9th Annual Nub's Nord.  Nordic festival for Telemark and Cross Country skiers.  Bring your friends!

March 8th - 16th - Canadian Discount Period.  A great big welcome to our friends north of the border.  Canadian money will be accepted at par for lift tickets only at Nub's Nob.

March 9th - 3-on-3 Indoor Soccer Championship at North Central Michigan College.  This event is open to boys and girls in grades 3-8.  For more information, contact Zach Jonker at 231-838-7363.

March 15th - Krazy Daze at Boyne Highlands.  Costume contest, obstacle slalom and much more!  The event is designed for the whole family.

March 15th - 46th Annual Nub's Nob Open.  Top to bottom World Cup style slalom racing on Birch Run and Smokey.

March 15th-16th - 32nd Annual Home Show at North Central Michigan College.  Chase away the mid-winter doldrums and start a new project.  The show runs through Sunday afternoon.

March 22nd - Mardi Gras at Nub's Nob.  Spring fling with fun, games and skiing for everyone.  Don't miss the Soaker Cup Challenge.  There will also be musical entertainment. 

April 2008

April 11th - Chubby Checker in Concert.  Chubby Checker is the only artist to have five albums in the Top 12 all at once.  He'll perform at Ovation Hall at the new Odawa Casino Resort at 8pm.

April 12th - Blissfest Winter Concert Series - The Milroys.  The husband and wife songwriging team will take you on a musical journey through darker America.  8pm at Crooked Tree Arts Center.  Tickets in advance and at the door.

April 18th -20th - Scrapbooking Retreat at Trout Creek. Friday morning until Sunday afternoon. Scrap with us all weekend! Hosted by Scrappers Attic.

April 26th - Titanic Dinner at Stafford's Perry Hotel.  Join us for the 3rd annual recreation of a dinner experience aboard the famous Titanic.  $50 per person, Resevations are necessary.  Call 231-347-4000 for more information.