June 2008
July 2008
August 2008
September 2008
October 2008
November 2008
December 2008
January 2009
February 2009
March 2009
April 2009
May 2009

 

 

JUNE 2008

Taste of Charlevoix
At the 5th Annual Taste of Charlevoix on June 21 in downtown Charlevoix, residents and visitors are invited to sample delectable edibles from Charlevoix restaurants and food and beverage vendors. For more information, contact the Charlevoix Area Chamber of Commerce at (231) 547-2101.

Jordan Valley Freedom Festival
East Jordan has three days of fun-filled festivities at its annual Freedom Festival from June 19-22.
Festival goers can participate in activities including a carnival, parades, a craft show, live entertainment and a fireworks display.
For more information, call (231) 536-0309 or visit www.jvff.com.

Farmer’s Markets
The bounty of Northern Michigan’s harvest season is shared weekly starting in June at farmer’s markets in Boyne City, Charlevoix and East Jordan.
The Boyne City Farmer’s Market takes place from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. every Wednesday and Saturday from June through October. For more information, call (231) 582-9009.
The Charlevoix Downtown Farmer’s Market takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays starting June 26 in downtown Charlevoix and runs through Sept. 27. For more information, call (231) 547-2101.
The East Jordan Garden Club Farmer’s Market takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays starting May 15 in East Jordan’s Sportsman’s Park and runs through Oct. 30. For more information, call (231) 536-2526.

Charlevoix Renaissance Festival at Castle Farms
Action, adventure, and romance all await you at Castle Farms during the Charlevoix Renaissance Festival!  Grab your friends and family and enjoy an interactive experience you won't forget! The festival gate is open from 10am - 7pm, with an admission fee of $13.95 for adults, $7.95 for children ages 5-12, and children under 4 are free.
Celtic Celebration - June 7 & 8
Lads and Lassies, don your kilt, fill your tankard, and celebrate all things Celtic!
High Seas Adventure - June 14 & 15
Hoist the Jolly Roger and set sail for fun and adventure!
 

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JULY 2008

Music in the parks
Throughout the summer Charlevoix County Chambers of Commerce host weekly outdoor music events featuring community bands and popular acts.
Boyne City offers Stroll the Streets beginning at 6 p.m. on Fridays from July 6 through Aug. 31. Street busters and entertainers perform on Lake and Water streets. Boyne City also has a popular concert series at 7 p.m. Wednesdays beginning June 25 and running through Aug. 27 at the gazebo in downtown Boyne City. For a performance listing, visit www.boynechamber.com.
The Charlevoix Summer Concert Series features various acts who will perform at 8 p.m. Thursday nights. The Charlevoix City Band performs at 8 p.m. Tuesdays. Contact the Charlevoix Chamber of Commerce at (231) 547-2101.
The Jordan Valley Community Band performs at 6 p.m. Thursdays, July 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31, in the East Jordan Memorial Park bandshell. For more information, call (231) 536-7351.

Boyne Thunder
Boyne City Main Street is hosting the 5th annual BoyneThunder Poker Run, July 11-12. High-performance offshore boats from across the Midwest will again invade Lake Charlevoix.
Weekend festivities surround the 120-mile offshore poker run to take place July 12. Boyne Thunder begins in Boyne City and continues on to Charlevoix, Beaver Island, Harbor Springs and Bay Harbor. The boats will roar back to Boyne City Marina for the event’s culmination which includes a Thunder Feast by the lake.
BoyneThunder kick’s off with a gathering of offshore teams and the public at the Boyne City Marina for a bash featuring food, an auction and live entertainment.
Other related events include a classic wooden boat show in Boyne City’s Veteran’s Memorial Park, a Lake Charlevoix cruise and a city-wide walking “Pub Crawl.”
For more information, call (231) 582-2471.

Fourth of July Festivities
Communities across Charlevoix County will show off their patriotic spirit with community gatherings, fireworks displays and parades on July 4.
In Boyne City, holiday festive fun kicks off July 4 with a Fourth of July Arts and Crafts Show, in Veteran’s Park. For more information call (231) 582-7944.
Parades will march through Boyne City, Charlevoix, Beaver Island and Horton Bay during the late morning on July 4. For more information about the Boyne City parade call (231) 582-3389. For the Charlevoix parade call (231) 547-7350. For the Beaver Island parade call (231) 448-2505. And for the popular, whacky Horton Bay Parade, call (231) 347-7327.
That afternoon Boyne City will also host running and duck races. For information about the races, call (231) 582-9198.
That evening those visiting Boyne City and Beaver Island can top off the celebration while enjoying bright bursts of color as both communities offer fireworks programs. For information about the Beaver Island July 4 celebration, call (231) 448-2505. And for information about Boyne City’s fireworks spectacular in Veteran’s Park, call (231) 582-9076.

Fiber Arts Festival at Castle Farms - July 26-27, 2008
If you think of oatmeal when you think of fiber - think again!  It’s a shopping extravaganza as Castle Farms hosts more than 50 vendors with hand made goods including sweaters, original lace shawls,  hats, mittens, soaps, rugs, knitting accessories, painted yarn, alpaca products, and much more.
While at the festival, you’ll also be able to visit live animals; enjoy interactive demonstrations in weaving, spinning, natural dyeing and felting; watch sheep dogs at work; see how sheep are shorn and visit with vendors who are fiber artists and shepherds in their own right.
The popular fiber art fashion show takes place each afternoon.  Many of the items in the fashion show are original designs created using fiber from Michigan farms.
Visitors of all ages will enjoy their visit when the animals return to Castle Farms. Admission at the door is $5 per person with children under five free.

Charlevoix Venetian Festival
The summer’s big event for the Charlevoix area is the 78th Annual Charlevoix Venetian Festival, which takes place July 20-26 in and around the downtown area of the City of Charlevoix.
The week will include nightly music entertainment in Bridge and East parks, art and craft vendors, sporting events, a carnival, many different vendors, a special Kid’s Day with activities for children, a renowned street parade, two fantastic fireworks shows and the famous Venetian Boat Parade in Round Lake.
For more information, call (231) 547-9950 or visit the festival’s Web site at www.venetianfestival.com.

 

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AUGUST 2008

Art fairs
In August there are two very popular art fairs in Charlevoix County: The Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair and the Portside Art Fair in East Jordan.
The 46th Annual Portside Art Fair will take place Aug. 2-3 at Elm Pointe Estate located at 1656 M-66 in East Jordan. Call (231) 536-2250 for more information.
The 50th Annual Charlevoix Waterfront Art Fair will be Aug. 9 in downtown Charlevoix. Call (231) 547-2675 for more information.

Beaver Island Homecoming
Homecoming on the island packs the tiny paradise to the gills with people. Historically it was a time when native islanders came home. It has since evolved into a time when former residents and visitors come together to celebrate. The weekend includes several events, like a softball tournament and a dinner at the Catholic Church. The homecoming is from Aug. 8-10.
For more information about the tournament call (231) 448-2733. For information about the dinner and other events call (231) 448-2505.

Royal Craft Show at Castle Farms - August 30-31, 2008
Castle Farms is proud to host the annual Royal Craft Show in beautiful Charlevoix, Michigan on Labor Day Weekend.  The grounds and buildings of Castle Farms will be the host to one of Michigan's most prestigious craft shows where thousands of visitors will attend this event.  This craft show will feature only the finest arts and crafts that can be found and will be held in one of the most affluent areas in the state.
Free parking with a $3.00 per person admission fee. Children under 12 are admitted free.  Food is available at a nominal charge. Pets are not allowed.  

Boyne Falls Polish Festival
The Boyne Falls Polish Festival offers entertainment through a variety of activities and will occur from July 31-Aug. 3.
Festival visitors can sample a variety of food, hear various forms of music each night and can view what different vendors have to offer. There will also be a carnival and other activities.
For more information, call (231) 549-3436 or visit www.boynefallspolishfestival.com.

 

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SEPTEMBER 2008

Beaver Island Celtic Games
On Sept. 13, kilted strongmen from across Michigan will converge on Beaver Island for the Third Annual Beaver Island Celtic Games. The games will be staged at Bud McDonough Ball Diamond near the Whiskey Point lighthouse. These powerful men will be competing on the island in seven traditional Irish and Scottish strength events designed to test their skills. In addition to trying to throw large, heavy objects farther than each other, they will entertain the crowd with their on-the-field antics, and provide valuable history lessons in Celtic culture.
For more information call (231) 448-2505.

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OCTOBER 2008

Charlevoix’s Apple Festival
The 30th Annual Charlevoix Apple Festival is a weekend event scheduled to take place Oct. 10-12 in the city’s East Park. The site shoulders Round Lake, a spectacular natural harbor.
The festival features Northern Michigan’s freshest fall harvest food items including 30 varieties of apples, apple cider and other treats like pies, jams and fresh doughnuts. Also on-site will be a petting farm, pony rides and crafters.
For more information, call (231) 547-2101.

Fall Harvest and Heritage Festival
Boyne City’s Fall Harvest Festival is scheduled to take place Oct. 3-5 in Veteran’s Park in downtown Boyne City.
The event will include things such as traditional farm market sales, pumpkin painting, a city-wide scarecrow contest, vendors and crafts.
For more information call (231) 582-6222 or visit www.boynechamber.com.

Bite of Beaver Island
This Oct. 4 Beaver Island event brings out the best professional and amateur chefs the island has to offer. Tasters will get a wide variety of treats to soothe their appetites. For more information, call (231) 448-2505.

Grand Bridal Expo at Castle Farms - October 12, 2008
Castle Farms, Northern Michigan's premiere wedding location, is proud to present the annual Grand Bridal Expo on October 12, 2008, from 10am until 4pm.  Spending the day in this magnificent stone castle is bound to evoke a matrimonial mood!  Feast your senses on the numerous offerings from Northern Michigan's finest wedding service providers, all gathered together at Castle Farms.  A sizzling fashion show will commence at 3:00pm and feature this year’s hottest fashions for the entire wedding party.  

 

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NOVEMBER 2008

Santa Parade and Open House
The Santa Parade and Open House on Nov. 21 in Boyne City, has been described as the traditional Macy’s Day parade on a Norman Rockwell scale.
The parade includes multiple floats and a special guest, Santa Claus, who makes his grand entrance by bizarre modes of transportation. In the past, these have included yachts and motorcycles. Some downtown merchants will serve refreshments and Christmas merchandise discounts will be offered.
For more information call (231) 582-6222.

Charlevoix Community Tree Lighting
The Charlevoix Community Tree Lighting will be Nov. 28 in Charlevoix’s East Park. Members of the community and area visitors gather around the city’s huge Christmas tree to sing carols, sip hot chocolate and visit Santa Claus.
Beginning at 4 p.m. excited children scamper to and from the tree’s strong limbs to hang their handmade ornaments. The city’s bucket truck is on-site to make sure the ornaments run from the top to the bottom of the tree.
Santa will also be at 222 Bridge St., the North Pole, where complimentary photos will be taken and ornament making materials are available.
For more information about the tree lighting call (231) 547-2101.

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DECEMBER 2008

Holly Daze
This festive holiday fund-raiser to benefit the Charlevoix Area Hospital will take place Dec. 4 at Castle Farms. Proceeds from dinner ticket sales and the live and silent auction will assist in funding the installation of the hospital’s new digital mammography machine.
The live and silent auctions include many items donated by area businesses and community members that make wonderful holiday gifts.
For more information, call (231) 547-8502.

East Jordan Community Night
Community Night on Dec. 4, in East Jordan combines in-store sales at shops open until 9 p.m. and dining specials at area restaurants, with a holiday celebration. To help shoppers get in the spirit, the city offers a tree lighting, street caroling and a trolley tour of the best lit homes and businesses in East Jordan. For a cultural Christmas kick, stop into the Jordan River Arts Council for a look at its Christmas exhibit and participate in craft making activities.
There will also be the Soup Cook-Off at the East Jordan Senior Center where East Jordan Chamber of Commerce business members will compete to win the people’s choice for best soup.
Santa Claus will make his way through town during a parade and will meet with children to talk and take pictures at the East Jordan Civic Center.
For more information call (231) 536-7351.

 

 

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JANUARY 2009

Sno-Blast Winter Festival East Jordan
During the weekend event, to take place in January, adults and kids flock to this winter wonderland to participate in everything from snow sculpting and snowmobile competitions, to snow bowling and cardboard box races.
For those without the popular motorized sleds there is plenty to do, including: a  snowshoeing excursion, a moonlight hike, a guided winter rafting tour down the Jordan River and an ice fishing competition. Call (231) 536-7351 for more information.

Snowmobile Ride-in Charlevoix
Hundreds of snowmobilers from across the country will ride their sleds to Charlevoix’s Ferry Beach where they’ll congregate for the Snowmobile Ride-in. The exact date depends on the weather.
After the cruise into town, riders visit with fellow riders and shop at local businesses, including restaurants and lodging facilities, to take advantage of special promotions. The afternoon event, sponsored by the Charlevoix Snowmobile Club, includes prizes and raffles.
For more information visit the club’s Web site at www.chxsnowmobile.com or call (231) 547-9660.

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FEBRUARY 2009

Boyne City’s Winter Festival
The Boyne City’s Winter Festival is scheduled to take place in February. It features a cardboard sled race, snowshoe races and a guided hike, all at the city’s winter sports park, Avalanche Mountain.
But don’t wear yourself out at Avalanche, there’s a ton to do downtown, from ice carving and turkey bowling on the 100 block of Water Street and human sled dog races. There is also a hamburger and doughnut eating contestant and a “Chili Cook-off” by local restaurants. For more information and the date, call (231) 582-6222.

Charlevoix’s Firefighter’s Ball
The 9th Annual Fireman’s Ball, sponsored by the Charlevoix Volunteer Firefighter’s Association, will take place at a date in February to be announced. The elegant evening honoring Charlevoix firefighters will include hors d’oeuvres, door prizes, a silent auction and musical entertainment. Proceeds from the event are directed to purchasing equipment for the department. For more information call (231) 547-8495, or stop by the Charlevoix City Fire Hall located at 210 State St. in Charlevoix.

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MARCH 2009

Fiddler’s Jamboree
This musical event will take place in March at the Harvest Barn Church in East Jordan. People from all necks of the woods gather to listen to fiddlers and join in on the fun. Admission if free. For more information call (231) 547-9066.

Beaver Island St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
The St. Patrick’s Day Celebration on Beaver Island, is a spectacular display of all that is Irish and many things that aren’t.
The whacky celebration that takes place in downtown St. James includes several sporting events like a fish toss, tug of war and shopping cart races. Those not interested in physical exertion can enter the limerick contest or run for king and queen of the “Great Day.” The island is populated in large part by people of Irish descent and is commonly referred to as “America’s Emerald Isle.”  
For more information about this event call, (231) 448-2505.

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APRIL 2009

Earth Day Celebration
On April 20, the Raven Hill Discovery Center in East Jordan will host an Earth Day celebration featuring alternative energy exhibits including Fresnel lenses and magnifying glasses to concentrate the sun. The Raven Hill Discovery Center is located 04737 Fuller Road in East Jordan. For more information, call (231) 536-3369.

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MAY 2009

Mushroom Festival
The annual Boyne City Mushroom Festival celebrates the moral mushroom in May with most activities centered in Veteran’s Park. It features a carnival, arts and crafts, a mushroom hunt, plenty of mushroom dishes by local chefs, wine tasting and children’s activities.
For more information and the date, call (231) 582-6222.

Operation Petunia
Charlevoix residents will come together to plant petunias along five miles of Bridge Street in the City of Charlevoix on May 21. This community event brings out the best in everyone as the community works to make Charlevoix even more beautiful with these colorful flowers. Operation Petunia is hosted by Keep Charlevoix Beautiful. For more information, contact KCB at (231) 547-2561.

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