Five Things to do in Michigan This Weekend 9/17-9/19

Here are five of the fun festivities happening across Michigan this weekend!

1. 3rd Annual Mackinac Bridge Antique Tractor Crossing - Friday September 17th. Parade will begin around 10am with over 800 tractors taking part this year.
2. Applefest in Coldwater is September 18th from 9am to 4pm. In addition to over 100 arts and crafts vendors, area orchards will have their tasty apples and cider for sale.
3. Frankenmuth Oktoberfest 9/16 - 9/19. Food, drinks, souvenirs, and weiner dog races - what more could you want?
4. Oscoda Paul Bunyan Festival - 9/16 - 9/19. Events include: Timberjack Show, Paul Bunyan Games, Traditional American Skills Demonstrations, and more.
5. Geocaching in the Keweenau at Fort Wilkins Historic State Park - 9/18. Spend the day exploring the Keweenau and end it with a bonfire and hotdog roast.

Five Things To Do in Michigan This Weekend 9/10-12

I'm starting up a new feature to highlight select events across Michigan for each weekend. There is a chill in the air and the weekend weather looks fairly promising (umbrellas optional in select areas of the state :) ) across the state. Get out and enjoy some Pure Michigan.

1. Paw Paw Wine and Harvest Festival There is a lot to do for all ages at this festival. Car Show, Craft Show, Carnival Rides, Wine Tasting, Music, a parade, and much more.

2. Breakfast for the animals at Binder Park Zoo Go behind the scenes and see what the animals eat for breakfast as well as a chance to help feed the animals.

3. Antique Engine and Tractor Show in Bangor September 9-12 - call (269) 639-2010 for open times and other details.

4. Good Old Days Festival in Richmond "Highlights during the four days include; demolition derby, figure 8 derby, tractor/truck pulls, musical entertainment both in the beverage tent and on the festival stage, Mid America Shows, and fireworks." Give it a look and see for yourself why this was voted Michigan's Best Small Town Festival.

5. U.P. Fall Beer Festival This is the second year for this event (formally U.P. Oktoberfest) that will feature over 30 Michigan craft brewers with almost 200 varieties of beer to sample.

Happy Ernie Harwell Day!

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing has declared the first day of summer, June 21, 2010, to be Ernie Harwell Day. What better day to honor the "voice of the summer" than on the first day of summer? Enjoy this audio sample from the "Year of the Tiger '68" LP with Ernie Harwell and Ray Lane.

November 10th is the 34th Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Service

On November 10, 1975, the Edmund Fitzgerald sank to the bottom of Lake Superior taking the lives of all 29 crewmen. One week from today, the 34th service honoring the crew will be held at River Rouge. From SSEdmundFitzgerald.com:

. A memorial service for the men lost on the Edmund Fitzgerald will be held on November 10 at Dr. Henri Belanger Park in River Rouge, Mi. The service will be held near the Mariners Memorial Lighthouse beginning at 6:00 p.m. The tug boat will be on hand to take out a wreath to be placed on the river. The service will feature a plaque presentation, bell ringing, lantern lighting, and refreshments will be served. For more information call Roscoe Clark at 810-519-2148 or Dolores Swekel 313-842-7822.

The service will be at River Rouge Michigan on the Detroit River next to where the ship was built at the slips and on the other side is where Zug Island is located.

The service will also be broadcast online via a free stream at SSEdmundFitzgerald.com. You can find all the details at their site.

The daughter of the "Old Cook" from the Gordon Lightfoot song left this comment on my tribute page for the Edmund Fitzgerald:

I am honored and excited to be invited to attend the upcoming service held this November 10th in River Rouge. I will be coming from Kansas to honor my dad and the other 28 crewmen. My father was the " Old Cook" referred to in the Gordon Lightfoot song.

There will be so many events having to do with the FITZ I hope to be able to fit it all in. I think it's great to include the school kids learning about the Great Lakes and the ships that have sailed on them.

I grew up in Toledo, Ohio and watched from many ports my dads ship sail off with a load of iron ore or coal. Those good memories never go away. Hope to see you there. All are welcome to honor and remember that fateful night.

Pam Johnson Daughter of ROBERT C. RAFFERTY

Memorial Day Weekend Roundup

The weather is shaping up to be absolutely beautiful this Memorial Day Weekend. I've noticed a large uptick in the number of travelers heading down U.S. 12 since the middle of the week. I wish safe travels for everyone on the road this weekend. We'll be attending the local parade on Monday and giving a wave of appreciation to the Veterans marching/riding in the parade. Later in the day we'll stop at a local cemetery for the annual Memorial Day program put on by the fine gentlemen from the VFW. It's a great way to give honor and show appreciation to our veterans.

Here's a roundup of Memorial Day Weekend related topics:

The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) released a list of Michigan foods/companies to make your Memorial Day cookout a help to Michigan's economy. This info came via twitter from Natalie_Joy.

The Things She Carried - photo of a member of our Armed Forces marching in a parade while pushing her baby in a stroller.

Did you remember Memorial Day?

If you are traveling in Michigan this weekend, be sure to check out the MDOT Drive page for the latest news on construction and road conditions.

And lastly, if you want to know what to expect to pay for gas on any trips be sure to check out MichiganGasPrices.com. Currently the lowest reported price is $2.30 in Ellsworth and the highest is $2.69 up in Hemingway country in Walloon Lake.

Get Dad Tigers or Red Wings tickets for Father's Day!

I surprised my dad with tickets to the Detroit Tigers game against Colorado on May 24th for an early Father's Day present. Every summer we say that we should go to a Tigers game, but we inevitably fail to do so. This year, I took the bull by the horns and just said, "Here's the game, lets go," and my dad said sure after he checked with the boss (mom). Give your dad an early Father's Day present this year by surprising him with tickets to a Tigers Game or one of the Red Wings playoff games. My first professional baseball game was at Tiger Stadium back in 1980-something. I don't remember what happened at the game or whether or not the Tigers won or lost, but I do remember that I was there with my dad. Now I am returning the favor and taking him to a Tigers game at Comerica Park for Father's Day. I have yet to see a Tigers victory at Comerica Park, but even if they don't win it will be a fun time with my dad at the ballpark.

Make some memories with your dad this Father's Day:

Detroit Red Wings Playoff Tickets as low as $35!

Detroit Tigers Tickets