Summertime In Little Traverse

Where To Be When

May 27, 2016

JUNE

Summer Open House – Petoskey – June 3

From The Graphic’s photo booth and the Taste of Downtown, to tunes from Lite 96.3, a fashion show, and an energetic performance by the Petoskey High School Steel Drum Band, this is P-town’s way to welcome summer. For more information: petoskeydowntown.com

65th Annual Lilac Festival – Mackinac Island – June 3–12

Celebrating the dozens of varieties of lilacs that bloom on the island in the spring, this flower fest includes a grand parade, the A Taste of Mackinac food event, history lectures, live music performances, and guided lilac tours. For more information: visitmackinacislandmichigan.com

Harbor Springs Cycling Classic – Harbor Springs – June 4

Take your bicycle and your ambition and ride beneath the famed Tunnel of Trees along M-119; three distance routes (20, 45, or 60 miles) are available, each lined with refreshment stops and all leading to a lunch celebration at the end. For more information: birchwoodinn.com

Gallery Walk – Petoskey – June 16

One of the local art scene’s favorite summer events gives you the opportunity to visit a plethora of local galleries in an open-house setting (some with the artists on site) plus the chance to win some local art at an afterglow party. For more information: petoskeydowntown.com

Taste of the North – Petoskey - June 18

Join a host of other foodies, locals, and tourists on the waterfront for this Little Traverse History Museum fundraiser that includes giant board games, live music, and food samplings from over a dozen restaurants. For more information: petoskeymuseum.org

Solstice Moon Cruise – Mackinaw City – June 18

The Headlands Dark Sky Park and Shepler’s Ferry team up for these interesting cruises that combine a nighttime ferry ride with beautiful scenery and astronomy talks from the park’s own expert, Mary Stewart Adams. For more information: sheplersferry.com or midarkskypark.org

Freedom Festival – East Jordan June 21–26

This little community’s favorite summer event is this annual festival that celebrates freedom, family and friendship with downhome activities including a Friday Night Block party, parades, a carnival, and fireworks. For more information: eastjordanfreedomfestival.org

Street Musique – Harbor Springs – June 30– August 25

An eclectic selection of musical performers fills the streets of downtown Harbor Springs every Thursday night throughout summer via this quirky and fun program that puts live buskers on every corner of town. For more information: streetmusique.com

7th Annual SOBO Arts Festival – Boyne City – June 24–25

Painting, sculpture, music, performance, food, and more are celebrated for two big days in downtown Boyne City’s arts district, nicknamed SOBO; special art stations invite the audience to interact with the art. For more information: soboartsfestival.com

Waterfront Wine Festival – Harbor Springs – June 25

The downtown marina is temporarily transformed for this sampling event, with a giant tent hosting wine and food merchants so guests can enjoy an array American and international fare alongside the waterfront. For more information: harborspringschamber.com

Summer Solstice Art Show – Charlevoix – June 25–26

East Park is the place for art fans to be when this big annual art show on the shores of Round Lake offers up a carefully selected mixture of fine arts and unique crafted items. For more information: charlevoix.org

JULY

Petoskey Rocks! – Petoskey – July 1 – August 12

Live music, outdoor movies, and carriage rides combine to draw fun seekers to Petoskey for its famed Friday night entertainment events. For more information: petoskeydowntown.com

Antiques at the Fairgrounds – Petoskey – July 2–3 (and August 6–7)

More than 170 antique dealers will be at the Emmet County Fairgrounds for this massive exhibition and sale of everything from pottery and china to textile and furniture, plus amazing collectibles of artwork and jewelry. For more information: antiquesatthefairgrounds.com

Red, White and Brew – Harbor Springs – July 2

Live music sets the tone for this popular Harbor Springs event that pairs the great views of the downtown waterfront with locally crafted microbrews and select wines. For more information: harborspringschamber.com

Boyne Thunder – Boyne City – July 8–9

Speed is the order of the day for this unique poker-themed water run showcasing high-performance boats slicing through the waters of Lake Charlevoix and Lake Michigan in a fun and energetic atmosphere. For more information: boynethunder.com

Night of Arts – Harbor Springs – July 8

A celebration of "fine arts, adornments, and antiques," this special evening is dedicated to artists and art lovers in Harbor Springs, highlighting materials from oils and acrylics to precious metals, gemstones, glass, clay, and more. For more information: harborspringschamber.com

D’Art for Art – Petoskey – July 13–14

Begin with a preview night to view the art and then indulge in the main event the next evening: a gourmet dinner and the chance to throw a dart for the art of your choice. This Crooked Tree Art Center fundraiser is a local favorite. For more information: crookedtree.org

Food Truck Rally – Boyne City – July 14

Food enthusiasts love this friendly rally that benefits the Boyne City Farmers Market; it brings a whole host of food trucks and their delicious wares to Veterans Park for one long, tasty day. For more information: boynecitymainstreet.com

Shay Days – Harbor Springs – July 15–16

Electric trains, tours of the Shay Hexagon House, walking tours, presentations, a scavenger hunt, music, and more honor the achievements of local inventor Ephraim Shay at this annual event. For more information: harborspringshistory.org

86th Venetian Festival – Charlevoix – July 16–23

Eight decades ago, it was a simple candlelit boat procession; today, it’s a full week of events both on and off the water, including parades, art in the park, the Street Legends Car Show, live music, and Aquapalooza events. For more information: venetianfestival.com

29th Antique Antique-Tractor Engine & Craft Show – Walloon Lake – July 28–31

Step back in time at this unique show that includes displays of antique autos, small engines, and tractors, as well as an old filling station, blacksmithing, arts and crafts, a farm museum, and refreshments. For more information: walloonlakeflywheelers.com

51st Annual Sidewalk Sales – Petoskey – July 29–30

More than your usual sidewalk sale, this event adds live entertainment, a farmers market, a scavenger hunt, and more to draw power shoppers and non-shoppers alike to peruse the party along Petoskey’s pedestrianonly streets. For more information: petoskeydowntown.com

AUGUST

42nd Annual Polish Festival – Boyne Falls – August 4–7

Put on your polka shoes and roll out the barrel to help celebrate Boyne’s Polish heritage and enjoy a carnival, mud run, Grand Royale Parade, plenty of hearty Polish food, and live entertainment. For more information: boynefallspolishfestival.com

International Ironworkers Festival – Mackinaw City – August 12–14

Ironworkers from around the world converge at the tip of the Mitt to compete in crowd-wowing events like the column climb, rivet toss, spud throw, and more. A dance and awards ceremony caps off the fun. For more information: mackinawcity.com

43rd Antique Auto Show and Flea Market – Boyne City – August 13–14

Admire the many antique vehicles on display, enjoy some refreshments from the Boyne City Fire Department, and look for trinkets and bargains at this annual event in downtown Boyne City For more information: boynechamber.com

Riverfest – Alanson - August 11–14

This family friendly festival brings together an arts, crafts and flea market with music, food and a kayak race on the inland waterway, plus quirky neighborhood competitions like the frog-jumping and pie eating contests. For more information: alansonriverfest.com

25th Odawa Homecoming Pow Wow – Harbor Springs – August 13–14

Honor northern Michigan’s Native Americans and learn more about their culture at this fascinating jiingtamok (pow wow or gathering/ceremony) that features traditional dancing, singing, drumming, food and crafts. For more information: odawahomecoming.com

58th Annual Waterfront Art Fair – Charlevoix – August 13

The artists and fine craftspeople for this juried exhibition were chosen from over 1,000 applicants; the event itself draws over 25,000 people to the park on Round Lake to browse, view and buy. For more information: charlevoixwaterfrontartfair.org

Festival on the Bay – Petoskey – August 19–20

Enjoy great live music in this bayside festival’s big entertainment tent, plus a triathlon, cruises on the bay, an art show, refreshments, the concurrent Chalk and Chocolate Fest, and a nightly celebration of the city’s sunset. For more information petoskeyfestival.com

Emmet-Charlevoix County Fair – Petoskey – August 23–28

Enjoy the old fashioned, classic fair activities at this once-a-year event, including a full carnival, farm animals, 4-H displays, festival food, and exciting grandstand events showcasing cars, trucks and country music from the likes of Chris Young. For more information: emmetcounty.org

Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk – Mackinaw City – September 5

End your summer with this annual northern tradition: a five-mile walk across one of the world’s longest bridges, offering you stunning views of the Straits of Mackinac, bragging rights, and loads of downtown dining options for celebrating your stroll. For more information: mackinacbridge.org