Five Things to do in Michigan this weekend 9/24-9/26

This weekend's Top Five list takes you from the village of Clinton on up to Leelanau State Park. Get out and enjoy some Pure Michigan this weekend!

1. Clinton's Fall Festival - 9/24-9/26. They pack a lot of events into their annual festival - car show, live music, hundreds of arts & crafts vendors, food, bull riding, and a huge parade.
2. Detroit History Highlights Trolley Tours - 9/25. "Climb aboard our nostalgic trolley and enjoy a ride back in time as our experienced guides present the real Detroit story and its role in shaping our nation and the world."
3. 19th Century Lumber Days at Hartwick Pines State Park - 9/24-9/26. "Historic logging demonstrations, Musical/entertainment programs, other historical activities and demonstrations."
4. Curran Black Bear Festival 9/25-9/26. Visit the "Black Bear Capitol of Michigan" this weekend for "displays and information about black bears as well as woodcarvers, live music, wildlife exhibit, vendors and crafts, and food."
5. Leelanau State Park Harvest Festival - 9/25. "Event has an agricultural background with various vendors displaying products, conducting educational programs, leading games and outdoor activities such as nature hikes, apple press/cider making, candle making, nature craft making."

Bonus - Corn mazes and apple orchards abound across Michigan. Check here for a statewide listing and find one close to you!

Double Bonus - enjoy this unofficial Pure Michigan ad created by Leclerc Brothers Motion Pictures.

Detroit Skyline at Night circa 1915

I found this interesting old shot of the Detroit city skyline at night while poking around at the Library of Congress website. The photo was taken between 1900 and 1915 and shot from Windsor.

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.