Events in Michigan

Manistee’s Annual Tight Lines for Troops Event

April 25, 2013

The 4^th Annual Tight Lines for Troops event is happening in Manistee, Michigan on May 18^th. Today, guest blogger Maralee Cook fills us in on what the day will entail.

Veterans from 165 communities across the state of Michigan will have the opportunity to land a record catch during Manistee’s 4^th Annual Tight Lines for Troops on Armed Forces Day, May 18. Take part in saluting them as they return to port, as well as enjoying a day of special events in downtown Manistee.

Sixty private and charter boat captains will donate their boats, crew and time to host 240 Vets for a day of fishing on Lake Michigan. Manistee County’s Explore the Shores program makes many of the fishing piers, beaches and the city’s Riverwalk universally accessible as well, for those additional 60 Vets who fish the Shore Division. Veterans of WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Panama, the Cold War, plus Vets from conflicts in Bosnia, Kosovo and Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan are expected to join in the fun.

The boats, crew and Vets will head out on Lake Michigan from the Manistee River basin at dawn. While the Vets are fishing, downtown shopkeepers and business people will host a variety of activities and specials for the Vets’ families, including the Farmers Market, entertainment, SOS Cook-Off, Customs ‘N Classics Car Show, Art of the Military Art Exhibit, and more. At noon the fishing teams will return to the channel to make the two-mile trip upriver to Seng’s Marina on Manistee Lake, saluted by the welcoming cheers of thousands of flag-waving onlookers from the piers, Riverwalk and drawbridges.

Charter boat captain and event founder Bob Guenthardt, with the help of Manistee’s Little River Casino Resort, created Tight Lines for Troops to produce an event that would show appreciation and offer an entertaining day of fishing, fish tales and life stories. Manistee area boat captains and crews also have the chance to share their passion for fishing Lake Michigan’s premier fishing destination with Vets who might not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy the experience.

Over 500 sponsors and volunteers contribute to the success of the program. Veterans pay no charter fees or entry fees. Residual proceeds from donations benefit the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Manistee County Veterans Endowment Fund and the Veterans Program at Brain Injury Association of Michigan. For more information, call the Manistee County Visitors Bureau at 877.626.4783 or visit www.visitmanisteecounty.com.

Maralee Cook is a freelance writer living in Manistee, Michigan.

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Ann Arbor Gets Ready For Festifools

March 26, 2013

in Events,Guest Blogger

Festifools – happening on April 7^th – is Ann Arbor’s homage to April Fools Day: an annual street parade featuring towering papier-mâché creations and various other hijinks. Today, photographer Benjamin Weatherston gives us a sneak peek at what we can expect at this fun event.

There are few experiences like spending time in the Festifools studio. If you’re not gazing up at the giant papier-mâché puppets hanging from the rafters, you’re marveling at the fine details going into the new creations. I quickly noticed that observation was not so simple a task anymore. Where else can you appreciate a panda king wearing golden shackles while standing next to a giraffe guitar? Have you ever seen a Tyranorexicsaurus (from the late Starveaceous Period) or played Where’s Waldo in real life?

It’s amazing to watch dedicated artists bring paper and glue to life. Almost as amazing as watching ordinary people become dedicated artists. But a 7-year tradition (by definition) doesn’t happen overnight and it doesn’t come about by the work of a single person. I got the wonderfool opportunity to look behind the scenes of how the entire city of Ann Arbor really comes together to cultivate this inspiring public art display known as “Michigan’s Mardi Gras.”

I first heard of FestiFools a few years ago when I saw the most amazing photos by Myra Klarman. She captured something that I had never seen and didn’t know was going on right down the street. I think it’s safe to say that many people learned about it through Myra’s images and Ann Arbor is lucky to have such a talented and well-connected photographer.

Mark Tucker welcomes the students back from winter break while I stand on a staircase overlooking the studio. His students design and build every sort of creation you will find in the studio. History major James Nadel told me, “A lot of the work that I do in class is theoretical. I write long papers that take a lot of time and effort, but rarely is the product anything more tangible than an intricate idea. In Festifools, I am actually creating something physical. What starts as a vague idea will become a monument; something that I can feel, see and experience. It is as though my imagination, my idea, is slowly invading the territory of reality. Seeing that process happen right before my eyes has been remarkable.”

The process isn’t magical or mysterious, it’s the same stuff I did in elementary school art class. Lumps of clay on this table, cardboard scraps over there. Bamboo in this barrell,PVC in that one. The magic is that the studio is an environment where ideas are nurtured and encouraged to grow. But don’t let the whimsy distract you from the craftsmanship taking place. A group of students discuss how to paint skin and another consults Mark on wrist joint construction. While there is an impression of “messy artist studio” it is very well organized considering the dozens of student and volunteer workers that are constantly using it. It’s definitely not a museum, everything is meant to be used.

In the midst of all this color and texture I find some very plain white mini-sculptures. Most Ann Arbor residents instantly recognize them as luminaries. One of the coolest things about Festifools is that it’s not just a single parade and Fool Moon is the dark side of the weekend experience. But don’t let that scare you because the only thing dark about Fool Moon is the night sky. The Friday night before Festifools has quickly become cherished in the hearts of Ann Arbor families as parents watch their children’s faces light up at the sight of hundreds of glowing fish, turtles, and lollipops on display. Families even enjoy spending time together making them with the help of the luminary kits that are sold to help support the event. For $20 you get everything you need to create your own piece of art and join in the twilight festivities including wire, paper, templates, and LED lights. Please check out this video from last year! This year will even include musical performances and might start getting people in the mood for the Ann Arbor Summer Festival.

Jon Carlson and Greg Lobdell own Grizzly Peak Brewing Company and are a huge reason why Festifools is possible. As part of their sponsorship Grizzly Peak makes a unique craft beer every year just for the weekend called Fool Brew. I got to meet Greg on a photo shoot in the brewery and was extremely impressed by his quiet and humble support. It was obvious that he loves Ann Arbor and the reward for such generosity in pure Fool form was a drink with Sarah Palin and Salvadore Dali. Greg said, “I am thankful that events like FestiFools and FoolMoon happen in our community. It is so darn cool to see families getting together to be part of these events. They are two of the best Ann Arbor events, and I am already looking forward to making luminaries with my kids. I mean, families love being fools together!” Jon simply said, “I love this event and the craziness of it all!”

The board couldn’t be happier with the partnership said producer Shary Brown. “It’s a fooltabulous partnership which helps the Fools with a lot of the nitty gritty event stuff, food, and FoolBrew which frees us to do the creative and community bits and pieces. It goes back to the beginning when they said, ’We’re in’ before we even got to explain the whole thing. All we could say is, ‘Wow, you really get it.’ Magic!”

When I asked Mark and Shary if I could get a picture of the WonderFool Productions board of directors I was hoping not to get a formal conference room shot. Their response was, “Can you come to the party Saturday night?” Fool House is a donor event that helps connect the philanthropic community members with their inner fool. I was able to get the board members together and was pleasantly surprised to see the likes of Harry Potter and President Obama. To say that FestiFools has community support is an obvious understatement once you spend an evening talking to the attendees at the Fool House fundraising party. The place was packed with people focused on how to help make each year bigger and better than the last.

There are only so many things that a local government can do for a street parade and the city of Ann Arbor with mayor, John Hieftje, has shown that there’s more to regulatory support than just approving permits. I met Mayor Hieftje at the Fool House donor event and knew right away that he believed in the mission of Festifools. He invited me to the next city council meeting for a little foolish display. Every year Mark and the students make a mask of the mayor and include him in the parade. At this particular meeting he wanted to promote the event by inviting the “Mâché-yor” to sit in his place and create a bit of theater.

Clague Middle School is an active participant in Festifools. This year, Ms. Pentzien’s art students are creating papier-mâché puppets for the show and even working on a drum line performance. I immediately noticed a giant owl when I first walked in the room but, again it’s all about the details, I was informed that it was a zombie professor owl. Complete with monocle, top hat, and exposed rib cage. I got to see sketches of designs done weeks earlier sitting next to the piece under construction. The students just don’t start cutting, stapling, and painting. Ms. Pentzien encourages thoughtful planning and collaboration. Out in the hall an extremely large snake is coming together and the kids get to become impromptu engineers as they troubleshoot the rigidity of PVC frames and brainstorm how to carry it while playing their instruments.

For the last two weeks I’ve been watching the entire city of Ann Arbor come together to support this very unique display of public art. But what is most unique is the interactivity and willingness to open it up to everyone. Please visit their website at www.festifools.org for more information.

And if anyone is interested in spreading the foolish good cheer in their hometown, Mark and crew are very eager to share their knowledge and experiences. But before you start slinging paper and glue, make sure you get here April 5th-7th to see it for yourself.

Benjamin Weatherston is a commercial/editorial photographer in Ann Arbor, MI. He is the owner of Photo Studio Group and the photographer and photo editor for The Ann magazine. See his work at www.benjaminweatherston.com.

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Pure Michigan April 2013 Events Roundup

March 22, 2013

in Monthly Event Roundup

April means it is officially spring in Michigan. While there may be some showers and lingering cold weather, the warmer season is in sight! The flowers and trees are coming to life and there are tons of things to do across the state both indoors and out.

Below is a roundup of some of the many events going on around the state in April. Please visit michigan.org for a complete listing of Michigan events.

Week of March 31

Broadway in Saginaw “Elvis Lives!”
April 4, 2013, Saginaw
Elvis Lives! is an unforgettable mutli-media and live musical journey across Elvis’ life. His iconic style, embraced by many of today’s artists continues to intrigue audiences of all generations. Featuring finalists from Elvis Presley Enterprises’ worldwide Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, as well as a tribute to Ann-Margret, audiences “Can’t Help Falling In Love” with this phenomenal theatrical concert experience. Tickets begin at $25. For show series information, visit the website link or call (989) 759-1330 or (989) 759-1320.

Michigan Pinball Expo
April 4-7, 2013, Rochester
Come play pinball at the Oakland Center at Oakland University; 2200 N. Squirrel Road in Rochester. This family friendly event includes over 100 pinball machines available to play. The pinball machines in the center of the Expo will be available to the public to play for free from the start of the Michigan Pinball Expo until the close of the Michigan Pinball Expo! Pay one low admission price and play all day for free! With over 8000 sq. ft. of pinball goodness going on, there is something for everyone at the Michigan Pinball Expo. For more information, visit the website or call (248) 895.8805.

Foolmoon
April 5, 2013, Ann Arbor
Foolmoon is a street party filled with luminous sculptures and shadowy figures. It is an extension of ‘Festifools’ party taking place on Sunday, April 7. The event takes place from dusk to midnight. For additional information visit the website or call (734) 763-7550.

All Beethoven Concert
April 6, 2013, Benton Harbor
Performing the music of Beethoven is a central part of the life of every symphony orchestra. On this occasion, three of Beethoven’s greatest works will be performed: the Prometheus Overture, the magnificent Triple Concerto and the Eroica Symphony. Joining as soloists will be the three master musicians of The Blakemore Trio: Carolyn Huebl violin, Felix Wang cello, and Amy Dorfman piano. For tickets, visit the web link or call (269) 982-4030.

Jason Michael Carroll
April 6, 2013, St. Ignace
After being discovered at a local talent competition in 2004, Country Music artist Jason Michael Carroll was signed to the Arista Nashville label in 2006, releasing his debut album Waitin’ in the Country that year. This album has produced three consecutive Top 40 country hits for him on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts: “Alyssa Lies”, “Livin’ Our Love Song” and “I Can Sleep When I’m Dead”. Carroll’s second album, Growing Up Is Getting Old produced his fourth and fifth Top 40 hits. Tickets are $22.50 and the show starts at 7pm. Click here or call (800) KEWADIN or (906) 643-7071 for more information.

Week of April 7

American Idiot – Musical
April 9-11, 2013, East Lansing
Direct from Broadway, the smash-hit musical American Idiot tells the story of three lifelong friends forced to choose between their dreams and the safety of suburbia. Their quest for true meaning in a post 9/11 world leads them on the most exhilarating theatrical journey of the season. Based on Green Day’s Grammy Award-winning multi-platinum album, American Idiot boldly takes the American musical where it’s never gone before. American Idiot contains adult content and language. Tickets for students are $25, tickets for the public are $60. For showtimes, dates or additional information please click on the website link or call (517) 353-1982.

Art X Detroit: Kresge Arts Experience
April 10-14, 2013, Detroit
Midtown Detroit, Inc. is pleased to announce the return of an extraordinary arts event, Art X Detroit: Kresge Arts Experience, happening in more than a dozen venues throughout Midtown Detroit’s Cultural Center. This five-day arts celebration presents works created by the 38 Kresge Eminent Artists and Kresge Artist Fellowship Awardees and also features a special visual arts exhibition that runs through April 28, 2013 at the Museum of Contemporary Arts Detroit (MOCAD). For more information visit the website.

Great Lakes Art Fair 2013
April 12-14, 2013, Novi
The Great Lakes Art Fair offers fine artists and their patrons an expansive marketplace that brings fresh energy to the regional artistic community. Artists are responsible for providing all booth structures, racks, tables, chairs, display units, lighting, or other fixtures. Educational demonstrations, art based entertainment and community outreach efforts will also be featured. Admission is $7 for adults and free for children 12 and under. For more information on dates and times, visit the website or call (248) 348-5600.

Don Lubbers Cup Regatta
April 13, 2013, Spring Lake
Head to Grand Haven on Saturday, April 13, for the prestigious Don Lubbers Cup Regatta, a co-ed collegiate rowing race on Spring Lake from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Spring Lake Yacht Club. Watch as teams from all over the country battle it out in the first race of the spring championship season. Be sure to catch the four-time ACRA National Champions Grand Valley State University take on long-time rival University of Michigan in west Michigan’s most anticipated sporting event of the year. Event is open and free to the public. For more information visit the website or call (616) 842-4910.

Chef’s Challenge
April, 13-14, 2013, Boyne Falls
Chef’s Challenge will be showcasing the best Chefs in the state of Michigan. If you are looking for a fun-filled, exciting event don’t miss the 6th Annual Chefs Challenge for Challenge Mountain, April 12-13, 2013, at Boyne Mountain Resort. Chef Teams from northern and southern Michigan present the state’s great agricultural diversity at its succulent finest, complimented by fine Michigan wines and micro-brews, a true premier Michigan event. For more information on this event, click here or call (231) 549-6040.

Week of April 14

Bringin’ Back the 80′s
April 19-20, 2013, Frankenmuth
Bring back hair teasing memories with music, trends and events from the 80′s Don’t sit back in your pegged pants and play Atari, come on down and have a great time. Admission is $10. For more information call (989) 652-8008 or visit the website link.

Pinball at the ‘Zoo
April 19-20, 2013, Kalamazoo
Pinball show featuring tournaments, coin op auction, games and parts for sale. All of this pinball equals a lot of fun for the whole family! Admission: Adults $12, Kids $6. For more information click on the website link or call (269) 628-4628.

Chilly Blues Fest
April 19-21, 2013, Grand Haven
For over twenty years, downtown Grand Haven has hosted a mix of local, regional, and national blues acts along with a chili cook-off contest during the festive Chilly Blues weekend. The Chilly Blues Fest has come to signify the beginning of summer in Grand Haven! Call (616) 846-8400 for more information.

Blissfield Railroad Days
April 20-21, 2013, Blissfield
Climb aboard a real diesel locomotive and ride the rails on the Adrian & Blissfield Rail Road. See awesome model train layouts at businesses and homes throughout the village, check out the Blissfield Model Railroad Club’s open house and stop by the big Train Show Swap event on Sunday! For more information, visit the website link or contact the Blissfield Downtown Development Authority at (517) 486-3642.

GreenFest
April 20-21, 2013, Royal Oak
GreenFest is a two-day Earth Day event dedicated to celebrating wildlife and educating the community about environmental conservation. For information call (248) 541-5717 or click here.

Week of April 21

Zehnder’s Ragtime Festival
April 24-27, 2013, Frankenmuth
Head to the Zehnder’s Restaurant Ragtime Festival. Special events include vaudeville night, silent movies, sing-along, and dinner, lunch and brunch concerts. All the fun is located at Zehnder’s Restaurant, 713 South Main Street-Frankenmuth. Join us for one event or the whole weekend. Prices vary. For more information call (800) 863-7999 or go to website here.

Vermontville Maple Syrup Festival
April 26-28, 2013, Vermontville
Vermontville is the “granddaddy” of them all! Vermontville is the home of the original Maple Syrup Festival in Michigan. The festival starts Friday evening, continues through Saturday and Sunday and is always held during the last full weekend in April. There is something for everyone—Mid-America rides, talent show, arts and crafts, flea market, two parades, petting zoo, princess pageant, various displays, games, free entertainment, a pancake derby and arm wrestling. Syrup producers are located throughout the village selling syrup, candies, crème and the ever popular maple syrup cotton candy. For more information click here or call (888) 482-8780.

Thornapple Woodpecker Festival
April 26-27, 2013, Middleville
The Thornapple Woodpecker Festival will feature guided birding walks, handicapped golf cart and kayak tours in the woodpecker nesting area along the Thornapple River. Guest speakers, art contest, craft booths, and Woodpecker Ball are part of the activities. For more information, visit the website link or call (616) 293-8666.

MI Earth Day Fest
April 26-28, 2013, Rochester
MI Earth Day Fest is the biggest Earth Day event in Michigan, and with 50,000 expected may be one of the largest on the planet. Featuring exhibits, products, presentations, entertainment, kids’ activities, food and family fun, MI Earth Day Fest will highlight environmental issues and solutions through education, innovation and long term sustainability strategies. Admission is free. For additional information on this event visit the website or call (248) 808-3601.

Freeland Walleye Festival
April 26-28, 2013, Freeland
A three day festival celebrating all things walleye, including fireworks, a fish fry, the Walleye parade, walleye tournament, a Texas Hold’Em tournament, car show, teen dance and more. Click here or call (989) 695-9512 for more information.

Week of April 28

Ann Arbor Classic Bicycle Show and Swap Meet
April 28, 2013, Ann Arbor
On Sunday, April 28, 2013, the largest collector’s bicycle show in the country will be held at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds. There were over 7,000 antique, classic, BMX and gas powered mini bikes at last year’s show. The show features 250 vendors and runs from 8 a.m. -3 p.m. Admission is $4 for adults and kids under 10 are free. Four collector bikes will also be given away as door prizes! For more information, click here or call (248) 642-6639.

Blossomtime Festival
April 28-May 4, 2013, Saint Joseph
Blossomtime Festival April 28 – May 4. The Blossomtime Festival, which began in 1906 is an annual festival celebrating the agricultural industry in southwest Michigan. It is a multi-community event including 25 communities in southwest Michigan and is the oldest festival in the state. The Grand Floral Parade lasts two hours and has over 100 units including floats with community queens and their courts, bands, clowns, costumed characters and antique cars. More than 250,000 spectators come from across the Midwest to enjoy this colorful parade which travels from St. Joseph across the river into Benton Harbor. Click here or phone for more details (269) 982-8016.

Broadway in Saginaw “Dream Girls”
April 29, 2013, Saginaw
Full of onstage joy and backstage drama, the sensational new production “Dream Girls” tells the story of an up-and-coming 1960s girl singing group, the triumphs and tribulations that come with fame and fortune. With music by Academy Award nominee Henry Krieger and book and lyrics by Tony and Grammy Award winner Tom Eyen, “Dream Girls” features unforgettable hits: “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” “One Night Only,” and “Listen.” This Tony and Academy Award winning musical sparkles like never before! For show series information, visit the website link or call (989) 759-1330 or (989) 759-1320.

Jackson Storyfest
May 2-4, 2013, Jackson
Held the first weekend of May each year, storytellers from all over the United States bring their special stories to Jackson, Michigan; where audiences of all ages share in the laughter, the tears, and the memories. Join us May 2, 3 and 4, 2013 for Jackson Storyfest, celebrating 26 Years of “Stories to Tickle, Tug and Touch You”. Please visit the website link for more information or call Jackson Storyfest (517) 499-2290.

Spring Sip and Savor
May 4-5, 2013, Suttons Bay
This weekend offers an opportunity to taste a wine and food pairing selected especially by the winemaker at each of the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail wineries. Each winemaker will be present in the winery tasting room during the event to talk about the wine and food pairing and answer any questions you may have. The wines offered with the food pairing may be new releases, older wines, whatever the individual winemaker selected for that special food pairing. This is a great opportunity to meet the people who make the wines you love to drink. Visit up to eight wineries on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and finish the trail tour on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information visit the website or call for (231) 256-2829.

These are just a few of the many events happening next month in Pure Michigan. Please visit michigan.org for a complete listing.

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From Our Community: Spring in Pure Michigan

March 20, 2013

in Posts by Region

With the first day of spring upon us, we asked fans on Twitter, Facebook and Google+ “what does spring in Pure Michigan mean to you?”

From blooming flowers and longer days to countless rounds of golf, bike rides, leisurely walks and more, spring means something special to everyone. And while the cold weather might be sticking around for now, warm weather months are in sight.

Below is a roundup of just some of our favorite responses from fans. If yours is missing, tell us in the comments section below what spring in Michigan means to you!

“Opening my windows and letting old man Winter out. Cleaning off the patio furniture, planting some veggies and flowers. taking walks without freezing my toes off. Visiting my neighbors as they do the same. Can hardly wait……” –Hester Regan

“Camping!!!” – Lisa Sara Andrus-Muehlenbeck

“It means only 3 months until summer in Pure Michigan! The best time of the year!” –Briana Read

“It’s still a bit of a wait, but it means #morel #mushroom season!” – Ben Glaser

“Spring brings the promise of new life, birds returning, and the hope of sunny days at Lake Michigan’s beaches to come!” – Taylor Downs Russell

“Many good festivals and great beaches” – Kele Hammons

“getting out and going biking and going up north to see family at the lake…” – Maurya Koppen Withrow

“Smell of lilacs… Many shades of green as trees bud, looking for wildflowers popping up on my woodland walk, warm breezes blowing in my face” – Susan Lane Rios-Doria

“It means the plethora of vibrant colors, the sweet scent of rain and sunshine, and the beginning of the best summer in Traverse City anywhere in the US undoubtedly” – Joe M Cruz

“The River Bank Run and the Tulip Time Festival!” – Rachel Kamper Rynbrandt

“Spring means no more winter (at least for now)! It’ll be nice to give my coat a rest.” –Jennifer Bowman

“Tigers opening day!!” –Catherine Patterson

“Spring in pure michigan? Memories. Sunshine. Camping. Late nights. Warm sun. Pretty flowers. Taking my babies to the parks” –Amista Johnson

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Seven Awesome St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations in Michigan

March 14, 2013

in Events,Guest Blogger,Holiday

St. Patrick’s Day is coming up this Sunday, and Michiganders sure know how to celebrate this Irish holiday! For those looking for things to do, here’s a roundup from Jake Cagle and Brian Murray of The Awesome Mitten of just some of the many celebrations happening around the state.

Photo courtesy of The Awesome Mitten and Katy Batdorff

When the Irish came to America, they brought their customs, traditions, and pride. Today, over 34.7 million Americans claim Irish ancestry according to the 2010 U.S. census — seven times the current population of modern day Ireland. With so many people to celebrate their heritage, it is no surprise that Saint Patrick’s Day has been co-opted from a religious feast day into a celebration of all things Irish. Here in Michigan, we have a wide variety of great ways to celebrate the Emerald Isle. Read about some of the best below.

Irish on Ionia
Ionia Street, from Oakes to Weston, Grand Rapids
Saturday, March 16, 7a.m. – 10p.m.
Tickets $10, VIP $55

Brought to you by McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon, Irish on Ionia is an open-air festival in downtown Grand Rapids. You’ll have to leave the kids at home for this one, but the 21+ crowd is guaranteed a great time. The day kicks off at 7 in the morning with McFadden’s “Kegs and Eggs” breakfast buffet. If you show up late, never fear: the pinnacle of Grand Rapids street cuisine, Stoner Tacos, will be there to satisfy any hunger. You won’t be able to swing a cat without hitting something good to drink, either. Green beer will be going for $3 a cup, while Guinness and craft beers will run you $5. For just ten bucks you can buy a commemorative Irish on Ionia cup that you can fill for the same price as the other, smaller drinks.

But there’s more to Irish on Ionia than food and drink. A local Irish folk group with punk rock flair, The Waxies, will be there to play some traditional tunes. If they’re not your thing, stick around for The Crane Wives. You can also catch the Shamrock, Paper, Scissors tournament or the live circus performers. With all that going on, it’s no wonder the party goes all day.

Grand Ledge Saint Patrick’s Day Parade and Celebration
Downtown Grand Ledge
Friday and Saturday, March 15 and 16, various times
Event dependent

There’s plenty to do in Grand Ledge this year; so much, in fact, that they’ve split events between two days. On Friday evening at 6:00pm, the Glen Erin Bagpipe Band will be putting on their Saint Patrick’s Day concert at the Grand Ledge Opera House. The show wraps up around 11a.m., and it’s important to run home and get some sleep because it picks right back up in the morning. There’s an Irish stew contest at the Cole-Briggs American Legion Post, where the public is welcome to come in and vote for their favorite. While you’re digesting, you can take in the parade at 2p.m., then head back to the Opera House for the Goderich Drum and Bagpipe Band and some traditional Irish dance.

The 59th Annual Bay City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
The corner of Center and Park Avenues, Bay City
Sunday, March 17, 2p.m.
Free

Photo courtesy of The Awesome Mitten and Katy Batdorff

Bay City kicked off this tradition with a bang in 1955. Over ten thousand people came together to watch marching bands, floats, and the St. Patrick’s Day Queen make their way to city hall. Each year the Queen is chosen from a list of young Irish ladies, selected based on personal interviews and a Miss America-style pageant. The winner gets to ride on the biggest and baddest float in town, and also receives a tidy scholarship. Join Parade Marshall Kelly Reed and carry on this awesome tradition.

Saint Patrick’s at The Curragh
73 E. 8th Street, Holland
Saturday and Sunday, March 16 and 17, 9a.m.
No price listed

The Curragh is an Irish pub in Holland, and they’re bringing you all the music you could want and more. This is another one of those 21+ events, but it’s a great chance to sit in a classic pub setting, drink your fill, and listen to some great Irish folk tunes. Bands include Peat in the Creel, AnDro, Millish, and a few more great choices. For the full list, just click the link at the head of this section. Breakfast starts at 9 each day, with music starting at 11:30 a.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday.

18th Annual Official Unofficial Traverse City St. Patrick’s Day Pub Walk
Downtown Traverse City
Friday, March 15, Noon
Free

A Traverse City tradition, this downtown pub crawl hits up 10 pubs in 10 hours. While walking from pub to pub, you can enjoy traditional Irish music played by members of Grand Traverse Pipes & Drums (this event is not organized, sponsored, or sanctioned by the Grand Traverse Pipes & Drums, hence the “unofficial” tag). Walkers can join or stay behind at any stop along the way, ensuring a nice variety of attendees.

St. Patty’s Small Plates Wine Tasting
716 S. Kalamazoo St. Paw Paw, MI 49079
Saturday, March 16, 3-5 p.m.
$12 for wine club members, $15 for non-members

For those who are looking to celebrate the holiday in a low-key manner, St. Julian Winery hosts a three plate dinner and wine tasting event at their Paw Paw winery Saturday March 16. Spend the afternoon at one of the oldest wineries in the state, enjoying Irish-themed dishes and terrific wine pairings. There is limited seating, and reservations must be made by calling 1-800-732-6002.

Port Huron Pub Crawl 2013
Downtown Port Huron
Saturday, March 16, 1-7 p.m.
$10 in advance at Blue Water Area Convention & Visitors Bureau or participating pubs
$15 day of at transfer point on Quay Street or participating pubs

Those in the Port Huron area looking to celebrate the Irish at as many bars as possible should look no further than the Port Huron Pub Crawl. Pub Crawl attendees wear wristbands which entitle them to free party bus rides that shuttle between 20 downtown bars. Enjoy the best of Port Huron safely; discounted hotel packages are also available.

Of course there are many more great things to do in Michigan for St. Patrick’s Day. If you’re looking for other ideas, visit michigan.org. No matter what you do, be sure to celebrate safely and responsibly!

Jake Cagle is a feature writer for The Awesome Mitten. Born in Adrian, Michigan, Jake currently resides in Grand Rapids. He graduated from Grand Valley State University. Jake’s work has also been featured on MittenBrew.com and Visit Detroit Blog.

Brian Murray lives in Grand Rapids and is a feature writer at The Awesome Mitten. He also writes reviews of music and comic books for destroythecyb.org.

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