Holiday

From our Community: Valentine’s Day Celebrations in Pure Michigan

February 9, 2012

Love is in the air across the country this month, and Michigan is no exception. In fact, the U.S. Census Bureau News lists the Michigan cities of Romeo and Rose City as two of the most romantic-sounding places to spend Valentine’s Day.

We got some great responses earlier this week when we asked fans on our Facebook page: “How can you make Valentine’s Day with your special someone a Pure Michigan Valentine’s Day?” Here are some comments we wanted to share. Thanks to everyone who responded!

“Dine at one of Michigan’s great Locally Owned Restaurants!” – Lisa Verhil

“South Haven perch at Clementines & walk the pier Lighthouse. Then S homemade ice cream & shops!” – B Faye Lawrence

“Dinner at Audie’s Restaurant in Mackinaw City with my boyfriend. Best food around!” – Janessa Stutz

“Going to the Red Wings game. ” – Lindsay Wallace

“Enjoying the Pure Michigan snow at Shanty Creek Resorts with their Two-for-One Valentine’s Day lift ticket special!” – Melissa Lee

“The classic dinner and a movie. Dinner at your favorite local eatery in Traverse City and a movie at the State Theatre. Then hop next door and end the night with a couple of cocktails at the Red Ginger!” – Nicholas Viox

“By taking them to an overnight romantic time at Inn on the Park in South Haven, MI- Only about 3 hours drive.” – Bella DeRoven

“Ordering some Valentine Snacks from Cherry Republic!” – Ann Safran

“Having dinner in downtown Milford! ♥ Movie after?? ” – Cindy Schlappi

“Well if it stays this warm, we might grill out in the backyard, our own Pure Michigan. Buy Michigan products, like sweetheart steaks from Hiller’s Market and enjoy the best state there is!!!!!” – Susan Bunch

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You’re Invited: Pure Michigan Chat with Bronner’s

December 19, 2011

in Events

On Tuesday at 3 p.m. ET, please join for a live Web chat with Wayne Bronner, the president and CEO of Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth, the world’s largest Christmas store. Wayne’s father, Wally Bronner, was the recipient of the first Pure Michigan Outstanding Achievement in Tourism Award. The chat is open to everybody and you can submit your questions in the chat box below which we’ll open up a few minutes before 3 p.m. on Tuesday.

For more on Bronner’s, check out this guest post on our blog from last week. We hope you can join us!

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A Christmas Carol Moment in Pure Michigan

December 16, 2011

in Guest Blogger,Posts by Region,Southwest

Photo courtesy of Felicia Fairchild

Jeanne Van Wieren shares her “Pure Michigan Moment,” a surprising encounter during the holidays in Saugatuck.

Everyone knows Saugatuck is an enchanting summertime destination, but it is also charming during the holidays. My husband, Don, and I go Christmas shopping there because we can find great gifts in a gorgeous setting. One year, we went on the same weekend that actors were putting on a production of A Christmas Carol in the historic Women’s Club building.

The winter setting was perfect: Snow fell in big flakes, and visitors enjoyed a ride in a lovely white carriage pulled by a horse clip-clopping down the street. Don and I were enjoying dinner at Wally’s, a wonderfully eccentric establishment favored by locals, when the door opened and, much to our surprise, in strode Bob Cratchit! I’m pretty sure it was actually a thespian in costume, but you never know in Saugatuck. He sat at the bar, and took off his top hat. “What’ll you have?” asked the bartender. Nobody, nobody batted an eye except Don and me. “Give me a Bud Light,” said Bob as he watched the NCAA basketball game on the TV.

A few moments later, we were laughing about it when—hand to God—Mrs. Cratchit and Tiny Tim walked in to see when Bob was coming home. “I’ll be there in a while,” Bob said. Off they went. Again, no one noticed.

Don and I share this story often because it reminds of us of one of our favorite places—pure Saugatuck. The striking town is home to galleries, great art and fun. It is also a place that knows life is full of surprises, so never take yourself too seriously. God bless us, every one!

Jeanne Van Wieren, who lives in Williamston, wrote about her “Pure Michigan Moment” for Michigan Travel Ideas.

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A Pure Michigan Christmas All Year Long at Bronner’s

December 14, 2011

in GeoCoded,Guest Blogger

On today’s blog, Lori Libka from Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland gives an overview of the World’s Largest Christmas Store.

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year” all year long at Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland, the World’s Largest Christmas Store® in Frankenmuth, Michigan. Open 361 days of the year, Bronner’s brings the warmth and wonder of the Christmas season to guests all year long.

Bronner’s late originator, Wally Bronner, a sign painter and window dresser in the mid to late 1940s, began providing cities and businesses with Christmas decorations upon request in the early 1950s. Requests for home holiday décor soon followed, and the year-round Christmas decorations business was born.

Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland’s first year-round location, a downtown structure built by Wally’s father, quickly expanded to two additional buildings. In 1977, Bronner’s moved to its current location, 25 Christmas Lane, where it continued to expand.

Bronner’s features over 50,000 trims and gifts for all seasons, reasons and budgets. Half of Bronner’s items sell for under $10, and two thirds sell for under $20. Guests to Bronner’s can find an ornament to commemorate most any occasion from over 6,000 ornament styles available. Many ornaments can be personalized at no additional cost. Customer service can put together a beautiful ornament gift box in celebration of a wedding, anniversary, birthday, retirement, new baby, or other special occasion. Friends unable to make a visit to the Frankenmuth store can shop Bronner’s online at www.bronners.com, where Christmas lights, trees, wreaths, ornaments, stockings, tree skirts, collectibles, Nativity scenes, home décor, outdoor décor and more are available.

Nearly two million guests visit Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland annually from around the world. Bronner’s and Frankenmuth make a popular summer vacation destination and a must-see attraction during the months leading up to Christmas. Bronner’s salesroom, the size of 1.7 football fields (2.2 acres), is filled with displays featuring over 300 decorated trees and more than 700 animated and fiberglass figurines. Approximately 100,000 lights illuminate Bronner’s half-mile long Christmas Lane every evening for guests’ enjoyment.

A visit to Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland isn’t complete without a stop by the Silent Night Memorial Chapel. A replica of the original chapel in Oberndorf, Austria, where “Silent Night” was first sung in 1818, Bronner’s chapel was dedicated in 1992. A tribute of thankfulness to God from Wally and Irene Bronner and family, the memorial chapel is open daily for visitation and meditation. The Bronner family will host a Christmas-carol sing-along Thursday and Friday, December 22 and 23, from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. in Bronner’s program center in section 2. On Saturday, December 24, from 3 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., a member of the Bronner family and guest guitarist will lead the singing of “Silent Night” in Bronner’s Silent Night Memorial Chapel. The public is invited to attend.

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Pure Michigan Holiday Light Events

December 7, 2011

in Events,Holiday,Posts by Region

The holidays are a busy time of year. There are parties, shopping and preparations to be made for family visits. That’s why it’s nice to sometimes just take in the scenery of the season. There are some great events coming up this month with some amazing light and holiday displays to enjoy at your leisure. For a full list of events check out michigan.org.

Holly Dickens Festival
December 9 – 11, 2011, Holly
See the characters from Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” come to life on the streets of Historic Downtown Holly during the annual Holly Dickens Festival. Make special memories with your family while enjoying carriage rides, caroling choirs, hot roasted chestnuts and much, much more amidst unique shops and the Victorian atmosphere of the holidays. Head to the Holly Dickens Festival site for full event details and schedule.

Candle Light Christmas Walk
December 9 – 11, 2011, Marshall
The Marshall Historical Society’s Christmas Candlelight Tour is a highly personalized walking tour of five private homes decorated for the holidays. This is a walking tour of approximately 1.5 miles at a slow pace. Ticks are $20 sold in advance and only 600 tickets are sold. For more information, call (269) 781-5163.

The Big, Bright Light Show
Now-January 1, 2012, Rochester
You are invited to brighten your holidays in downtown Rochester with The Big, Bright Light Show! All the buildings on Main Street from the south bridge to Romeo Rd. will be covered in over a million points of light, along with East and West Fourth Street. Also, there will be large, lighted displays on Walnut from Third to University, The Dazzling Tree of Lights at the Depot Plaza (E. University & Water), and The Snowflake Spectacular on the Western Knitting Mill on Water Street. For more information on this event, visit their website or call (248) 656-0060.

Christmas at Crossroads Holiday Magic
Now – December 30, 2011, Flint
This holiday fantasyland features thousands of sparkling lights and Michigan’s most spectacular moving light display, the Huckleberry Railroad. The entire village is aglow with colored lights and more lights decorate the railroad’s locomotive, coaches and trackside displays. For information and reservations call (800).648-PARK or visit the Christmas at Crossroads Holiday Magic site.

Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village
December 9 – 10, 16 – 23, 26 – 27, 2011, Dearborn
Marvel at the splendor of a turn-of-the-century old-fashioned holiday experience complete with carolers and live reindeer along candlelit paths at this historic location. For more information visit the Holiday Nights site. You can also call (800) 835-5237 or (313) 982-6001.

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