Lilac Festival is Delightful on Mackinac Island - By: Marcia Dunnigan

A fantastic adventure is awaiting you at the Lilac Festival on Mackinac Island, Michigan. This celebration is an annual event that is growing in popularity. You don't want to miss out on even one moment of the fun.

Delightful Mackinac Island is located in the Straits of Mackinac in northern Michigan.
It offers an opportunity to take a step back in time to the days when life was more relaxed, and the pace was a bit more peaceful and easy. You can reach Mackinac Island by ferry from either Mackinaw City in the Lower Peninsula or St. Ignace in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Although there are nearly a million vacationers who visit the Island each year, there are less than 500 full time residents. Over 80% of the island has officially been listed as a Michigan State Park, so there are plenty of trails for biking and hiking.

Transportation on the Island itself is accomplished by foot, bicycle or horse-drawn carriage. There are no automobiles allowed, so you should prepare yourself for a truly unique stay while you attend the Lilac Festival on Mackinac Island which runs from June 11th through June 20th.

The activities begin with a 10-K race that will start at 9:30 in the morning on June 12th. This racing event starts promptly in front of the Mackinac Island Public School. There is also a children’s event called the Lil Lilac Run/Walk that is scheduled to start about 90 minutes later. Even those people who cannot be part of these two sporting events can still participate by cheering on the large number of runners and walkers that will be lined up at the starting line. There is no better way to kick off the Lilac Festival on Mackinac Island or to jump start your summer vacation then by participating in this “fun for one and all” event.

In the evening you should be sure to head for Market Street because at 7:30 p.m. the West Michigan Bootscooters will be performing. This is your chance to see the Texas-2-Step performed by one of the region's elite country line dancing teams. The energy and music is guaranteed to have many in the audience moving their feet in time with the beat.

Tournaments take center stage on the 14th of June. This is when the Jewel Course at the 5 star Grand Hotel will host the Lilac Festival Golf tournament. In the evening Market Street will be filled with fans and spectators from 7:00 -9:00 p.m. when the Jamie Bynoe Lilac Festival Street Hockey Tournament is scheduled.

The fun and excitement continues throughout the week. On the 16th of June there will be a public tour of the Governor's Summer Residence that is absolutely free. The tour is scheduled from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Many people are already looking forward to a personal look inside this magnificent home. You can enjoy the panoramic view from the spacious porch which will also provide you with a perfect "photo-op" moment.

Of course no festival is complete without food, and on June 17th the Harborview Inn will be hosting "The Taste of Mackinac". This is the Lilac Festival's premiere showcase that allows top Island chefs to demonstrate their talents and skills. If you enjoy superb food and tasty, one of a kind dishes then this is an event that you cannot afford to miss. You will also have the opportunity to sample some great wine and beer with the food, or enjoy a soft drink or other non-alcoholic beverage.

Animal lovers will have reason to celebrate on June 19th. This is when the 6th Annual Mackinac Island Dog and Pony Show will be held. The show will open at 1:30 p.m. at Windermere Point. Also, the troupe from the D E Wallens Wild West Show will be giving a special performance at the Lilac Festival on Mackinac Island.

The Island will be filled with the incredible sound of musical pipes and drums on June 20th. The Tittawabasse Fife and Drum Band will open the afternoon festivities starting at 2:00 p.m. on the grounds of Windermere Point. There will also be a Scottish Tattoo played by a trio of regional pipe bands at Marquette Park starting at 3:30 p.m.

Following this special musical event you can watch the horse-drawn Grand Parade which begins at 5:00 p.m. Festival goers have quickly made this parade one of the favorite events for spectators. You will want to stake out your viewing spot as early as possible for this very popular procession. A folding chair will give you a comfortable perch for watching the action. This unique and much loved parade will begin along the eastern section of Main Street and proceed in a westerly direction through the heart of the town.

Your week at the Lilac Festival on Mackinac Island is sure to be a delightful one that you and your family will enjoy. There are a number of specialty shops and restaurants to explore during your visit, but it is the outdoor activities, the casual atmosphere and the fun-filled moments at the Lilac Festival that you will all remember forever.

About the Author

Marcia Dunnigan and Kathy Petersen have more ideas for Lilac Festival Mackinac Island on their site at http://www.mackinac-island-insider-tips.com.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Marcia-Dunnigan/77246

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