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When it comes to special events, fairs and festivals, Michigan has something for everyone. Whether it's honoring food, history, heritage, or one of the four seasons, Michigan’s celebrations are known for their authentic charm. The following is just a sample of the events taking place year round.
Tip-Up-Town USA
January 17-19 & 24-26, 2014 in Houghton Lake, Michigan
For their 64th season - Thousands of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and neighboring residents return to see this largest winter Festival in Michigan, held annually on the last two weekends in January. Winter fun and enjoyment for the whole family at Houghton Lake includes two fireworks shows, concerts, monster truck rides, ice sculptures, softball on the ice, “the world’s largest tip-up”, and two parades guaranteed to keep the festival-goers busy.
Visit: TIP UP TOWN USA
North American Snow Festival
January 30 - February 2, 2014 in Cadillac, Michigan
It’s a great time to cruise around frozen Lake Cadillac with 10,000 other sleds in Michigan’s largest snowmobile festival. The event features fun around frozen Lake Cadillac with over 10,000 sled, poker runs and radar sprints, guided snowy safaris through state and national forests, entertainment, arts and crafts, and food. One of the highlights of the festival is the evening torch-lit snowmobile parade. Visit: http://nasfcadillac.com/
Winter Carnival
February 5-8, 2014 in Houghton, Michigan
In a tradition that began in 1922, the Winter Carnival at Michigan Technological University in Houghton celebrates an regularly abundant seasonal snowfall. Engineering students put their skills to the wintery test by constructing large snow and ice sculptures, some up to 30 feet high. There are also sleigh rides, food, and the snow! Visit: www.mtu.edu/carnival
Blossomtime Festival
April / May in Benton Harbor / St. Joseph, Michigan
Since 1906 the party has begun with the Blessing of the Blossoms ceremony and continues all week at Michigan’s oldest and largest multi-community festival, celebrating 107 years. Visitors and locals alike take a self-guided driving tour through blossoming orchards, then sit curbside to watch the two-mile-long Grand Floral Parade, as it winds through these neighboring Lake Michigan shore towns. Flower-decked floats and marching bands from 24 area towns participate. Visit: www.blossomtimefestival.org
Tulip Time Festival
April 27 - May 3, 2014 in Holland, Michigan
If you’re looking for a May getaway there is no better destination than the Tulip Festival in Holland, Michigan. Their annual celebration of Dutch heritage and culture is a multi-generational event that has something for everyone. The festival began in 1929 to celebrate Dutch heritage in the community. Today the fun continues with three premier parades, over a thousand Dutch Dancers, national and regional entertainment, dinner shows, a Dutch market, fireworks, and the stars of the show: our millions of tulips. Visit: www.tuliptime.com
Highland Festival
May 24-25, 2014 in Alma, Michigan
For over 44 years, The Highland Festival has staged itself on the campus of Alma College and showcases the very best of Scottish tradition. The festival includes piping, drumming and band competitions along with traditional Scottish dancing and fiddling, a border collie competition, Grand Parade and vendors selling kilts, bagpipes, meat pies and shortbread. The clan tents demonstrate still more about Scottish tradition. Visit: www.almahighlandfestival.com
Annual Lilac Festival
June 6-15, 2014 in Mackinac Island, Michigan
The idea was to bring people to the Island to enjoy a great horse drawn parade amidst the lovely lilacs that fragrance the Island in June. What began as a one day event called the Mackinac Island Lilac Day has blossomed into a ten day festival. Guests stroll and enjoy the fragrant blossoms and colors of some of the oldest living lilacs in North America. Family hayrides, country line dancing, scavenger hunts, free outdoor concerts, boat cruises and garden tours are some of the highlights of this festival. Visit:www.mackinacislandlilacfestival.org
National Cherry Festival
July 5 - 12 , 2014 in Traverse City, Michigan
The Grand Traverse region, known for its world-record tart cherry harvest, bursts with visitors eager to savor the flavor of cherries tucked into everything imaginable. Each day Festival goers find cherry delights along with parades, family and kids events and entertainment. In all, there are more than 150 events along the shores of Lake Michigan's Grand Traverse Bay. The Festival has been named in USA Todays top ten festivals for several years running. Visit: www.cherryfestival.org
Bavarian Festival
August 7-9, 2014 in Frankenmuth, Michigan
Wilkomen to Frankenmuth's 55th Annual Bavarian Festival It's not just an event… it's a feeling of "Gemutlichkeit", Located in Heritage Park, this annual Bavarian Festival, a tradition for over 50 years brings the warmth and hospitality of Michigan’s charming Bavarian village, Frankenmuth to the fore. Visitors and locals alike sing and dance to Bavarian music played by colorful, costumed German bands, and taste the hearty Bavarian foods of plump bratwurst, barbecued chicken and homemade pretzels. Visit: www.frankenmuthfestivals.com
Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival
July 25 - August 3, 2014 in in Grand Haven, Michigan
The 90th Annual Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival honors the men and women of the United States Coast Guard with two exciting parades and concludes with a spectacular fireworks display that is truly one of the best in the nation. Every day is filled with activities, events, and attractions for all ages. Many activities are free, and you will find plenty of fun and choices from Kids Day to the Street Dance and Cruise-In Car Show, to carnival rides, picnics, Grand Parade, and ship tours. Visit: www.coastguardfest.org/
Great Lakes Folk Festival
August 8-10, 2014 in East Lansing, Michigan
Produced by the Michigan Traditional Arts Program at the Michigan State University Museum, the Great Lakes Folk Festival is an unique fusion of arts fair, music festival, county fair, and multiethnic festival. Taking place in downtown East Lansing, this free festival showcases the traditional cultural treasures of the nation's Upper Midwest and a sampling of the best of traditional artists from around the country and the world. Visit: www.greatlakesfolkfest.net
Wheatland Music Festival
September 5 - 7, 2014 in Remus, Michigan
The Wheatland Music Festival draws 10,000 folk music fans to enjoy three days of music and art. Thousands of people gather on the 160-acre festival site to enjoy a wide variety of activities, as well as the star-studded lineup on the main stage. There is an arts and crafts show, a raffle, children’s activities, teen and young adult activities, instrument and dance workshops, music, food, fellowship and fun. Visit: www.wheatlandmusic.org