Northern Michigan festivals are great fun, no matter the season. But there is no better excuse for getting your family outdoors, in the colors, the crisp fall air, celebrating the Michigan harvest and artists. Here are three ways to get started!
September 25:
Friske Orchards Harvest Festival
Start the day with a pancake breakfast and old-fashioned kids’ carnival. From tractor rides to live music and U-Pick apples and pumpkins, Friske’s will be bursting with the flavor of fall Up North. Friske.com
Bellaire Harvest Festival and Scarecrow Extravaganza
Head on over to downtown Bellaire for a ripped-from-the-fields festival that includes a farmer’s market, arts and crafts (design your own scarecrow!) and from kids 10-and-under a Best Scarecrow costume happening at 1 p.m. bellairechamber.org
October 2-3
Pond Hill Harvest Festival
Join the Spencer family for a toe-tapping good time down on the farm. From pig races (seriously. They race pigs in a pig-racing track!) to sending squash rocketing into the fields, the folks at Pond Hill know how to bring out the inner kid in everyone. Feed the animals, visit the trout pond, pick a pumpkin and hitch a hayride. Get your school work done before heading to this sweet spot north of Harbor Springs, because you won’t want to hurry home. Pondhill.com
October 8-10Charlevoix Apple Festival
A celebration of area orchards and farms, the annual Apple Festival features more than 30 varieties of Michigan apples—as well as all the yummy treats that cam be made with them. With a weekend packed with children’s activities, a craft show, and live entertainment, it is a great way to welcome fall color season. Charlevoix.org