Summer Getaway

Duck Days of Summer

August 18, 2009

Here’s a creative guest blogger submission from Mary Wyatt of Redford, Michigan.

“You don’t swim?” our host asked as the rest of the vacation-types prepared to enjoy the not-just-good-but-Great-Lake up close.

“This isn’t swimming?” I replied, ankle-deep, scoping out all the best rocks on this particular stretch of Lake Huron beachfront. Mine, I tell you, MINE, MINE!!!! Oh.

Michigan Beach- Oscoda The beach here, north of Oscoda is gorgeous, just the right ratio of sand-to-beach-grass, comfy Adirondack chairs, sunshine, breeze, the sound of the surf gently lapping the shore. It’s just that the water is, well, I’d call it chilly, but up here the rating methodology is ducks. As in, how many ducks under water does it take before one is comfortable enough to enjoy the surf. A hot day might be classified as a two-duck-day. Cooler weather might call for three or even (gasp!-literally) four ducks. Beyond that is, I believe, hypothermia.

As a child, I was inseparable from the water. We nearly always had a backyard pool, and every Wednesday afternoon was spent at Camp Dearborn in Milford. In the summer, normal clothes were rarely worn. When a child woke in the morning, it was customary for said child to put on a bathing suit in lieu of real clothes. Kid heaven, no underwear required! All day we were in and out of the pool. Swim time lasted until one’s body temperature dropped sufficiently to induce Popsicle-blue lips. We got out long enough to have lunch, play on swings, enjoy some bike-riding, or play some tag (Not it!). When outside got boring, it was right back into the pool or the lake. We must have been the cleanest kids for miles.

At this advanced age, however, I have a hard time even using the lap pool where I work out. It’s only heated to 84 degrees, you see. The therapy pool, however, is a balmy 93 degrees.

So you see, it’s not that I don’t swim, it’s just that there aren’t enough ducks.

Mary is a lifelong resident of Metro Detroit, and uses her devotion to the Red Wings to survive the winters! She teaches sixth grade because she enjoys hanging out with 12-year-olds. Some of her favorite Michigan places are Saugatuck, Petoskey, Traverse City, Dearborn, Oscoda, and Detroit. Go Tigers!

If you have any questions about his post, feel free to leave a comment, or contact Mary via email or Twitter (@middleagedwoman).

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Michigan’s Second City

August 14, 2009

in Pure Michigan Ads

Another fantastic guest blogger submission – this one by Eric Kehoe of Grand Rapids MI.

I moved to Michigan’s West Coast about four years ago when I began attending Grand Valley State University. Ever since then, I have grown to love Michigan’s Second City; Grand Rapids.

I relocated to downtown Grand Rapids last summer, moving into a 100-year-old house on Heritage Hill with my four roommates. This house was like nothing I have lived in before — well, the entire neighborhood was of nothing I had been surrounded by before.

I grew up in Any Suburb, USA, where all that surrounded my neighborhood was corporate strip malls and a lack of personality. Living in a city like that, it is hard to not get sucked into the rat race of a material world, easily forgetting the things that make this country, and, in particular, Michigan, so great; family businesses, community, fellowship, and local pride.

These are all brilliant qualities I see every time I step out of my Colonial Revival on the Hill and ride my Nighttime in Grand Rapids bike through Midtown, down Wealthy Street, and into the heart of Grand Rapids. Every time I grab lunch at Marie Catrib’s or a beer at Founders Brewing Co., I see the community–the sense of pride–in action. I love being able to head to The Winchester, and read, almost defiantly written on their menu, that they “strongly support local business.” You can taste it in the food they offer, serving up local produce.

Speaking of produce, it is worth mentioning that I can walk two or three blocks down the road and get farm-fresh goods in the middle of the city at the Fulton Street Farmers Market.

Downtown at Rosa Parks Circle, or at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, the community comes together. Whether it be for Pillow Fights or Blues Music, you can always find a great collection of Michiganders meeting up. If the summer is getting too hot, my roommates and I pile into the car and head to Lake Michigan, where, if you are looking for it, you notice a collective unity between all beach goers. We do not need to say anything; a smile and nod between two folks carries with it the quiet sense of appreciation for a coast we have grown to love. And when autumn comes, and the leaves turn to that familiar Michigan hue, I look around and remind myself how lucky I am to live in a city that offers everything I can wish for.

I am proud to call Grand Rapids, and Michigan, my home. If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you.

Eric Kehoe is a twenty-two year veteran of Michigan and plays in the band Valentiger. You can read more about him at www.erickehoe.com. If you have any questions about his post, feel free to leave a comment, or contact Eric via Twitter (@erickehoe)

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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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