On Tap for the Weekend

Here is a quick list of some fun events that are on tap for the weekend of February 17-18. Gun Lake Winterfest - Celebrate winter on Gun Lake with an entertainment stage, a hike along the North Country Trail and of course the Polar Bear Dip. For more information, please call (269) 945-2454.

Free Fishing Weekend - Celebrate Michigan's world-class freshwater fishing on February 18 & 19, 2006. Michigan's Free Fishing Weekends are two special days when all fishing license fees will be waived for residents and outstate visitors alike on both inland and Great Lakes waters. All fishing regulations will still apply. For more information, please call (517) 373-0908.

St. Joseph Magical Ice Carving Weekend - Second annual Magical Ice Carving Festival including two ice carving competitions on February 17-18, 2006 in downtown St. Joseph. Watch the sculptures being carved while enjoying shopping, dining, free wine tasting, free horse drawn trolley rides, magic shows, kids activities, and snowshoeing. Please call (269) 985-1111 for details.

RV & Camper Show - Write down Feb. 16-19, 2006 on your calendar for the annual RV & Camper Show here at the Birch Run Expo. We will have all types of camping equipment, vendors for camping and resort information. If you want to call for more information on our event, please call (989) 624-4665.

Shanty Days - Fun in the wintertime. Enjoy four wheeler races, ice fishing, food-beverages tents, live entertainment, craft show, kids activities, and demo derby. Call (989) 856-3818 for more information.

U.P. 200 Sled Dog Championship - The U.P. 200 is a competitive, 12 dog, mid-distance sled dog race will be held on Feb 17- 19, 2006. The race is approximately 240 miles in length and is a qualifying race for Iditarod. Weekend events include Kiddy Mutt Races, Snow Sculptures and much more. For additional information, please call (800) 544-4321.

Free Fishing Weekend Feb. 18-19

As a way of encouraging folks who don't normally go fishing (especially in the winter) the state has once again made it possible to try fishing without having to purchase a license. The Free Fishing Weekend coincides this year with another DNR project, Go-Get Outdoors. The Go-Get Outdoors program is to encourage people to see what recreation opportunities and activities our state has to offer. So the during the weekend of Feb. 18-19 all 97 state parks and recreation areas will allow vehicles free entry. This represents a great time to break out of the winter doldrums and get outside to fish, hike, snowshoe, and explore.

For the Free Fishing Weekend list of events, check out Free Fishing Weekend Events.

Go-Get Outdoors Events

GO - Get Outdoors, Get Hooked on Fishing!

Mackinaw City Winterfest is still on Tap

There might not be much in the way of snow in Mackinaw City this weekend, but the 13th annual Winterfest will go on as planned. Organizers are having to scrounge up snow from around town to have enough for the snow sculpture contest. Other than that, the other events should not be bothered too much by a lack of the white stuff. There will be indoor/outdoor ice skating, a fish fry, frozen fish toss, frozen chicken bowling, buffalo chip hockey, and outhouse races for all to take part in. The Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce has a slogan - "We have it 'weather' or not."

More event info is available at the chamber website - www.mackinawchamber.com

Winterfest is on, 'weather or not'

No Motown at Super Bowl XL

There will not be a bigger event in Michigan in 2006 than when Super Bowl XL comes to Detroit. It is something struggling Detroiters and fellow Michiganders across the state can hang their hats on. Instead of our poor economy, high unemployment, and a city that is steadily being abandoned each year we can focus on something positive. For one weekend Detroit and the entire state of Michigan will be the focus of worldwide media attention as the stage is set for Super Bowl XL. You would think with the rich history of Motown that it would be the obvious choice for the halftime show.

Unfortunately, the NFL picked those old fogies – The Rolling (or is it Rocking - as in chair?) Stones. The NFL threw Detroit a bone by announcing that the pregame show will feature the Motown sound. No details are out yet as to what the acts will be for that show.

Another problem I have is the Roman numeral for this year’s Super Bowl – XL. Extra Large. I know it was just a couple of years ago that Detroit had the dubious distinction of being labeled as America’s Fattest City, but do we have to receive the honor of having the Extra Large Super Bowl too?

For details on Super Bowl XL events head on over to http://www.sbxl.org/