Lilac Festival on Mackinac Island, Michigan

Mackinac Island's Lilac Festival, which began in 1949, will take place this year during the weeks of June 6th through June 15th and it looks like the weather is going to be just about perfect. So far it appears the temperatures will be averaging 67 for a high and 52 for a low and with a full coming around the 4th, it should stay beautiful. During the daytime that will make for wonderful walking around weather. The Lilac Festival attracts thousands of people every year to celebrate the island's historic variety of lilacs with a Grand Parade, the crowning of the new Lilac Festival Queen, the Lilac Festival 10k and many, many other things to do over this 10-day festival.

Obviously, if you don't live there, you need to get there first and here's some ways to accomplish that task. Mackinac Island does have an airport which can handle private and charter aircraft, so soup up the Lear and get going. If you're probably like most of us and you don't have access to say John Travolta's fleet of planes, then you can always fly commercial to the Pellston, Michigan airport which is just 12 miles south of Macinaw City where you would get a ferryboat over to the island. The ferryboat rates to Mackinac Island seem to pretty much all be the same no matter what line you take. The cost is $25.00 for age 13 and up, $12 for ages 5-12 and free for children under 5. If you plan on spending a few days on the island, you may want to try the Chippewa Hotel Waterfront where a room would run around $280.00 per night or the Pontiac Lodge where the rates are between $110.00 and $350.00 depending on what you need. Both these hotels have websites that you can look at their rooms and check the rates and availability so click on the names to get right to their sites. There are no vehicles on Mackinac Island so you will have to get around by horse drawn taxi with fares starting at $4 per person. If you happen to be staying on the island, just have the front desk call for taxi service for you. There are flatbed horse drawn carts for large amounts of luggage, etc. At the docks you can hire a dock porter to take your luggage for you if needed. Please tip these young men and women if you use their services and the customary tip is about $1 to $2 per piece of luggage. Other than your trusty feet, the other way to get around the island is by bicycle. Rentals are available from $4 per hour and depends on what type of bicycle you rent.

The festivities kick off on June 6th with Alex Graham & Grand Hotel Orchestra in Marquette Park at 4:30 p.m. followed by the Coronation of the Lilac Queen Festival at 5:30 p.m. Afterward move on to the reception at Patrick Sinclair's Irish Pub at 6:00 p.m. Every night there is entertainment at several pubs beginning at 9:30 p.m. On Saturday, join the Lilac Festival 10k and you can register on-line or on site and the fees will vary. On Sunday, after a tiring long Saturday, check out the Lilac Festival Lobster Brunch at Patrick Sinclair's Irish Pub at 9:00 a.m. and possibly get a taste of their award winning Shepherds Pie. You may be here a few times as they are open all year round from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. with Irish bands, DJs and Karaoke. If you managed to take your golf clubs, you might want to join in the Lilac Festival Gold Tournament at The Jewel Grand Hotel for $50 on Monday, June 9th. To register for that just call 906-847-3331. At 8:00 p.m. take in the Sunset Cruise Under the Bridge on the Star Line Ferry for $15.00 per adult and $7.00 per child. How about a silent auction and wine tasting on Tuesday the 10th at the Seabiscuit Cafe & Grog for a mere $35.00 or you can wait and do the Jazz & Wine Night with Alex Graham at 9:00 p.m. On Wednesday, June 11th, take a tour of Governor's Summer Residence from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or a hiking tour at 2:00 p.m. Thursday the 12th brings the Lilac Festival Beer Tasting at Patrick Sinclair's Irish Pub from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and the prices vary, but who cares what the price is, it's lots and lots of great beer. One thing you shouldn't miss is the Feast of Epona 4H Lemonade Fundraiser & Stable Tour at 4:00 p.m. on Friday. Epona is a Celtic horse goddess and is the protector of horses, stables and horse owners, plus the guardian of agriculture and transportation. At 5:00 p.m. there is a Blessing of the Animals at the Mission Hill Stable. On the final weekend of this festival you can catch the 3rd Annual Mackinac Island Dog & Pony Show at 1:30 p.m. at Windermere Point then move over to Marquette Park for Saturday in the Park with Tricky Dicky and the Spoonmen. Sunday, June 15th, will be a day filled with music acts at several places on this island.

Throughout the days of this festival there are several others events happening. Everyday offers a Walk and Talk with Lilacs at various locations for a $10 charge. Don't forget to squeeze in a night of comedy with Stu Stuart, June 6th through the 14th at 9:00 p.m., at the Lilac Tree Suites & Spa. The admission for the show is $15 for adults and $12.50 for seniors and students. Whatever days you decide to attend or if you attend the entire ten day celebration, you will find ample things to do all day long and well into the night and the great part is, no matter how much you imbibe, you don't have to drive home.