Summer Celebration

Pure Michigan Crosses the Finish Line with MIS

August 18, 2009

Pure Michigan’s own Maria Wygnal attended Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup CARFAX 400 at Michigan International Speedway. This was her first NASCAR race experience.

MIS

Brian Vickers won Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup CARFAX 400 at Michigan International Speedway (MIS), with Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. rounding out the top three. Five cars shared the lead late in the 200-lap race. Conserving fuel became an important factor on the 2-mile speedway and it was Vickers who ultimately prevailed after Jimmie Johnson ran out with just over two laps to go.

If you’re looking for somewhere to go with lots of people and plenty of excitement, a NASCAR race is the place for you. Michigan has you covered at (MIS), home to the largest, single-day paid admission sporting event in the state. This past weekend was the second and final race weekend at MIS for 2009. And what a spectacle! I don’t think you can appreciate how fast those cars are moving until you’ve seen them and heard them in person.

Since this was my first NASCAR race, I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was everything I had imagined and more. What I discovered is that there are thousands and thousands of racing fans who make the trip to see the race in Michigan, with many of them camping and tailgating near the track, and everyone has a great time.

If you’re new to the sport like me, here are some tips for race day:

Arrive early to avoid traffic (day parking at MIS is free and there are trams to get you to and from the track)
There are plenty of concession stands for food and drinks, but you will save money by bringing your own snacks and soft-sided coolers for beverages (check the MIS guest guide for a list of items allowed)
Bring ear plugs (when the cars go by, they are loud!) and plenty of sunscreen
If you have the opportunity, tour the Pit before the race – you’ll get a chance to meet crews and drivers and get a behind-the-scenes peek of the Pit area (Pre-Race Pit Passes are available for purchase in advance)
If you’re up for the excitement, find a spot next to the track when the race starts, or at some point during the race, to feel the cars speed past (you’re not allowed to stand next to the track, but the ushers I encountered were willing to let you stay for a lap or two before they asked you to move on)

Nestled in the Irish Hills of southeast Michigan on 1,400-plus acres, MIS is located in Brooklyn, Mich. About an hour and half from Detroit, the track is near the birthplace of the automobile and there is plenty to see and do in the area for automotive enthusiasts and race fans. Before or after a great day of racing at MIS, find time for a little Michigan adventure. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race returns to MIS in 2010 on June 13 and August 15.

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Underway at Michigan International Speedway

August 16, 2009

in Fairs & Festivals,Outdoors

With the engines roaring and the race well underway at MIS for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Event, we managed to steal a couple of moments earlier today from Roger Curtis the President of Michigan International Speedway.

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For more up to the minute race information we are also tweeting live from MIS.

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Festivals This Week in Michigan – Week Beginning Aug 9th

August 7, 2009

in Monthly Event Roundup

As summer rolls on, let’s take a look at some the upcoming festivals around Michigan in the next week.

Looking for a family fun filled weekend in Northeast Michigan? Then visit the Buckley Old Engine Show , August 13-16, 2009. Within the 200+ Acre show ground you can see “the past in motion” with hundreds of antique gas, steam and oil engines on display, plus working blacksmiths and foundry, old time crafts demos, flea market and many more attractions. Make a weekend of it and take the family camping at one of the two designated camping areas adjacent to the show ground.

minty_mascot Come to St Johns in East Central Michigan and meet Minty, the mascot for the 25^th St. Johns Mint Festival, August 14-16, 2009. Enjoy everything mint as well as arts and crafts, pony rides, parade and a chocolate mint pudding-eating contest.

This year’s Heritage Celebration in Calumet in the Upper Peninsula, which celebrates the diverse ethnicity of immigrants who settled in the region, is Italian themed. Events include an Italian Sausage making class, Heritage Parade, Gun and Sport Show and “The Great Deer Chase” bike race. Don’t miss this event being held August 14 – 15, 2009.

If you are in the Detroit Metro area of the state around August 15th, you have to take the time to visit the 15^th Woodward Dream Cruise. This event which began as a small fundraising event to collect money for a soccer field in Ferndale, Michigan, has become the world’s largest one day automotive event, drawing 1.5 million people and 40,000 classic cars from around the world. Come step back in time and enjoy the cruise at one of the nine different communities that host this event, from Ferndale to Pontiac on Woodward Avenue.

woodward

Stay tuned for more festival information or visit the events page on Michigan.org.

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Festivals This Week in Michigan – Beginning Aug 3rd

July 31, 2009

in Pure Michigan Ads

Summer is now in full swing, so to help you fill those long summer days with Pure Michigan fun, take a road trip and find a Michigan festival to suit your taste.

Let’s begin at Summerfest, Coopersville which runs August 3 – 8. This 6 day volunteer driven festival began as a locals-only event and now boasts an estimated 100,000 visitors on their busiest day. This family friendly festival features the annual Del Shannon Car Show.

Michigan leads the nation in blueberry production, so there is no better way to celebrate and help the Michigan economy

Michigan Blueberries

than to attend the 46^th National Blueberry Festival in South Haven, August 6 – 9. Enjoy chef demonstrations, music and entertainment, an opportunity to meet Miss Michigan and many other attractions.

Travel to Crystal Falls in the Upper Peninsula and participate in the Humungus Fungus Fest, August 7 – 9. The what Fest, you ask? Well, several years ago a “Humungus Fungus” was discovered in the Crystal Falls area. The fungus weighs 11 tons and covers over 37 acres, the largest fungus in the world. So why not have a festival to celebrate, the main event of which is of course, you guessed it, the cooking and eating of the Humumgus Pizza – a 10 x 10 feet fungus pizza which is also the largest in the world.

Humungus Fungus

If you’re a “Parrot Head” (Jimmy Buffet fan) or just love Cheeseburgers, then we have the festival for you – the 11^th Cheeseburger in Caseville, August 7-16. Enjoy the fun, music and summer at this 10 day festival.

If Jazz instead of Jimmy Buffet is your thing, then don’t miss the 8^th River Raisin Jazz Festival, Monroe, August 8-9. This free Jazz festival has been called the fastest growing music festival in the Great Lakes Region. Artists include Chuck Mangione, Peter White, Nelson Rangell and many more.

This is just a small selection of the festivals taking place throughout Michigan in the coming week. For a list of events throughout August check out our What’s Happening This Month post or visit the michigan.org event page.

Stay tuned for future event breakdowns to help you make this a Pure Michigan summer to remember.

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August 2009 Events Roundup

July 31, 2009

in Monthly Event Roundup

Traverse City Film Festival – July 28-August 2, 2009

Independent, classic and foreign films are shown at multiple locations, including free outdoor screenings on an inflatable screen at the Open Space Park on Grand Traverse Bay.

54^th Munger Potato Festival, July 30-August 2, 2009

“Spud-tacular” fun features carnival, Figure 8 Derby, live entertainment, a parade and food (including tons of free potatoes!).

32^nd Fish Sandwich Festival, Bay Port, July 31-August 1, 2009

“It takes two hands to hold one” declare those who’ve served thousands of original fish sandwiches at this bayside event. Fireworks, entertainment, car show, Bingo, and arts & crafts.

Au Gres Pirate Festival, August 1, 2009

A day of fun with a pirate theme including a homemade raft race, games, costume contests and music.

Summerfest, Coopersville, August 3-8, 2009

The hometown of “Runaway” Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Del Shannon hosts a 5K “Runaway,” a car cruise and show in his honor plus a quilt show, rides on the vintage C&M Railway, fun for kids and more.

35^th Boyne Falls Polish Festival, August 6-9, 2009

Polka tent with great music and Polish food all weekend celebrates heritage of the area. Grand parade, horse pull, 4 WD mud run, plus Oldies Night and car cruise.

46^th National Blueberry Festival, South Haven, August 6-9, 2009

Annual celebration of this important Michigan crop.

Pig Gig, Bay City, August 6-9, 2009

Rib festival cook-off and a whole lot more at Veterans Memorial Park, including live entertainment, children’s activities, cooking demos, fun contests and pig racing.

42^nd Coloma Glad-Peach Festival, August 7-9, 2009

Tasty peach treats, bake-fest, music, fun run, carnival, Peach Pit Spit and parade.

Gladwin County Carriage Festival, August 7-9, 2009

Period dress encouraged for festive events including horse drawn carriages on parade and on display, and vintage base ball.

Great Lakes Folk Festival, East Lansing, August 7-9, 2009

Multiple stages for diverse music and dance performances, plus Folk Arts Marketplace, a Taste of Traditions food court, and activities celebrating multi-cultural heritage.

Humongous Fungus Fest , Crystal Falls, August 7-9, 2009

The 38-acre mushroom that mostly thrives underground. The fun includes a mushroom cook-off, games, music, Humungus Pizza, and Fungus Fest Parade.

11^th Cheeseburger in Caseville, August 7-16, 2009

Jimmy Buffett tribute bands, Parade of Tropical Fools (August 12), sailing parade, Caribbean street dance, and a world of cheeseburgers.

Antique Wooden Boat Show, Hessel, August 8, 2009

Showcase for beautifully restored boats, plus a festival of the arts with juried art show, and live music, food, and more.

8^th River Raisin Jazz Festival, Monroe, August 8-9, 2009

Two days of free music outdoors, proceeded by Thursday’s River Raisin Jazz Series and Jazz in the Square on Friday.

Victorian Art Fair, West Branch, August 8-9, 2009

Victorian-themed event with juried arts & crafts show, old fashioned entertainment, contests for kids in Irons Park. Period costumes, too.

Buckley Old Engine Show, August 13-16, 2009

See “the past in motion” with hundreds of antique gas, steam and oil engines on display, plus working blacksmiths and foundry, old time crafts demos, flea market, arts and crafts.

Heritage Celebration, Calumet, August 14-15, 2009

Traditional music, dance, food and arts of the diverse ethnicity of immigrants who settled the region.

25^th St. Johns Mint Festival, August 14-16, 2009

Mint information display explains the importance of Michigan’s mint growing area, plus family fun and entertainment including a chocolate mint pudding-eating contest.

15^th Woodward Dream Cruise, North Detroit Metro, August 15, 2009

World’s largest one-day gathering of classic cars and enthusiasts. Attracting more than 40,000 vehicles and a million-plus car lovers.

Mackinac Music Festival, Mackinac Island, August 18-20, 2009

A variety of music, from Celtic to rock, at various locations on the island. A family-friendly hoedown caps the event.

45^th Danish Festival, Greenville, August 20-23, 2009

Heritage celebration features hot aebleskivers and Danish cookies, Viking sword fights, Danish dinner, teen and kiddie events, music, hot air balloon flights and Grand Dansk Parade.

Wild Blueberry Festival, Paradise, August 21-23, 2009

Pies, muffins, pancakes and the blueberry brunch, pie eating contest, art fair, and music at the Blueberry Jamboree.

5^th Porcupine Mountains Music Festival, Ontonagon, August 28-30, 2009

The sounds of folk, jazz and bluegrass music fill the wild and wonderful old-growth forest of the western Upper Peninsula in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park on the Lake Superior shoreline.

Michigan State Fair, Detroit, August 28-September 7, 2009

The State Fair, founded in 1849, celebrates Michigan’s agricultural heritage with livestock and ag exhibits, midway games and rides, live entertainment, food, and community arts.

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