Michigan Festivals 2012

After recovering from our terrible, no-good, very bad day (And Then The Wheels Came Off), we finally arrived safe and sound in Hillman, Michigan at the end of May. Our first stay at the Thunder Bay Golf & RV Resort was in the summer of 2009, and I posted an entry on this blog back then ( Hillman). Besides enjoying the golf while we are here, Dan and I also like to attend the many festivals in the area. While staying here this year (2012), we had much fun attending the Traverse City Cherry Festival, the Atlanta Blue Grass in The Park Festival, The Harmony Crafts Fair in Harrisville, and the Posen Potato Festival. It is so enjoyable going to local festivals and having the opportunity to capture a little local flavor. Below is a brief description of each event, along with a couple of pictures of each.

Traverse City Cherry Festival: The National Cherry Festival is a festival in Traverse City, Michigan. The Original National Cherry Festival began in 1925 as the Blessing of the Blossoms Festival. This Festival was originally an event held in early May to attract tourists to Northern Michigan to view the booming cherry blossoms. Every year more than 500,000 attendees enjoy the National Cherry Festival, which is now in its 86th year. Families can enjoy many kinds of activities from cherry pit spitting and pie eating contests, to the Grand Royale Parade in which the newly crowned Cherry Queen greets the crowds. There is also a Junior Royale parade for children and a Festival Air Show, including periodic visits from the Blue Angels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Atlanta, Michigan Bluegrass in The Park: A small gathering held over two days of bluegrass music in the local park. No admission is charged, but donations gladly accepted. Fun in the sun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harmony Crafts Fair in Harrisville, Michigan:  Each Labor Day weekend there is a regional craft show, parade, and national jamboree often referred to Harmony Weekend. Hundreds of exhibitors display their product to over one hundred thousand visitors. We didn’t come home empty handed!

 

Posen Potato Festival, Posen, Michigan: The Posen Potato Festival is a food festival held annually in Posen, a village in Presque Isle County of the U.S. state of Michigan. The Posen Potato Festival has been an annual event for over 50 years. Posen has a strong Polish background, so the Posen Potato Festival not only features potato as its central theme, but also concentrates of authentic Polish traditions, including traditional dresses, polka dancing, crafts, and so on.