Hello, June. From jazz in Saginaw to the annual Bavarian Festival in Frankenmuth, Michigan really comes alive this month. Here are 10 exciting things to do in one of the most beautiful state in the US.
Beautiful, fragrant lilacs
The 68th annual Mackinac Island Lilac Festival is here, and with it comes plenty of beautiful, fragrant lilacs. Activities for the 10-day event include the coronation of the Lilac Festival Queen and Court, the Lilac Festival 10K, the Grand Hotel history lecture, horse drawn carriage tours, live music, sailing tours of the harbor, boat cruises under the Mackinac Bridge, wine tastings, the Mackinac Island Dog and Pony Show and, of course, the Lilac Festival Grand Parade.
The event runs June 3 through 12.
For information, go to www.mackinacisland.org.
Frankenmuth’s Bavarian Festival
The 58th annual Bavarian Festival takes over Frankenmuth this month. The event, which attracts more than 100,000 people to the city as it celebrates its German heritage, will run from June 9 through 12. Events include a German car show, German food, euchre tournaments and the annual Bavarian Parade with marching bands, floats, dance clubs and the newly crowned Bavarian Princess with her Court.
For information, visit www.bavarianfestival.org.
Street performers in downtown Holland
Downtown Holland’s Street Performer Series kicks off June 9 and runs each Thursday this summer. This year’s event has expanded hours from noon to 8:30 p.m. Performers will be placed throughout downtown Holland, and visitors – as always – are welcome to walk around, shop and dine in the area. Performs include musicians, jugglers, face painters, break dancers, magicians and caricature artists.
For information, head to www.downtownholland.com.
Jazz on Jefferson in Saginaw
Jazz on Jefferson celebrates 12 years of soulful jazz sounds June 8 on Saginaw’s South Jefferson Avenue. The event – which draws ~3,000 each summer – brings together jazz music, food and members of the community.
The event kicks off at 4:45 p.m. with a performance by the Saginaw High School drumline. Horse-drawn carriages, a classic car and motorcycle show, local food and tours of historic homes are among the event’s attractions. The show concludes at 8 p.m. with a free concert by the Roger Jones Trio at First Congregational Church.
For information, head to www.castlemuseum.org/#!jazz-on-jefferson/cohl.
Celebrate asparagus
Michigan’s Oceana County is the self-proclaimed "Asparagus Capital of the Nation" and the site of the annual National Asparagus Festival. This year’s festival is set for June 10 through 12 in Hart. Activities include a food show, an arts and craft fair, the Spear-It 5K Run, the Royal Parade and the crowning of the Asparagus Queen.
For information, go to www.nationalasparagusfestival.org.
Guinness Longest Ice Cream Dessert Attempt
The folks at Downtown Ludington, House of Flavors and Love Ludington are going to attempt to beat the Guinness World Record for longest ice cream dessert. Attendees are being asked to arrive at 5 p.m. June 11 on Ludington Avenue, between Park and Harrison Streets. The tasty event kicks off at 6 p.m.
Things will get sweet with a half-mile long ice cream sundae. Attendees may eat a free scoop of House of Flavors ice cream to help break the record held by the city of Auckland, New Zealand. Attendees will have to eat more than 12,750 scoops of ice cream to break it.
For information, head to http://downtownludington.org/icecreamrecord.
Pirate cruise
Loves pirates? Then here’s a cruise for you. The S.S. Badger’s Pirates of the Caribbean Shoreline Cruise happens June 11, departing from the Ludington S.S. Badger dock at 701 Maritime Drive.
Passengers are encouraged to dress up as pirates and speak like pirates, too, as the ship cruises the Lake Michigan shoreline. Tickets are $39 a pop and include a buffet with desserts, soft drinks and live music. Children 5 and under are free.
For information and tickets, visit http://ssbadger.com.
Leland’s Wine and Food Festival
It’s time for Leland’s Wine and Food Festival— Michigan's oldest wine festival. The event, which is in its 31st year, will take place June 11 and offer tastings of wines from 16 Leelanau Peninsula wineries and one area brewery, plus food from local restaurants and vendors. Sip while you take in beautiful views of Lake Michigan and the Manitou Islands from the Leland Harbor venue.
Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 day of. Under 21 and food only tickets run $10 in advance and $15 day of.
For information, head to www.lelandmi.com/events/wine-food-festival.
Free Fishing Weekend
Have you always wanted to try fishing but don’t have a license? Then the Michigan Department of Natural Resources wants to remind you that the annual Summer Free Fishing Weekend happens June 11 and 12, offering anglers a chance to fish without a license. (All other fishing regulations still apply, though.)
Activities are being scheduled all over Michigan to celebrate Summer Free Fishing Weekend. After all, the state has 3,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, 11,000 inland lakes and tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams.
For information, visit http://Michigan.gov/freefishing.
Lansing Beer Fest
Lansing’s Beer Fest is back and ready to take over REO Town. The event, now in its fourth year, is an outdoor beer festival set up on Washington Avenue between South St. and Elm St. in REO Town. The festival, set for June 18, will highlight 25 Michigan breweries and more than 100 craft beers, as well as cider, mead, spirits and wine.
Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Designated driver tickets are $10. Proceeds from this event will benefit the REO Town Commercial Association.
For information, head to www.lansingbeerfest.com.
Happy Summer! Enjoy the nice weather and all beautiful Michigan has to offer!
