Northern Michigan Events: What says summer better than a celebration? Up North, people are celebrating the best months of the year with all sorts of festivals this weekend. No matter where you are, there’s fun to be had—so get out there!
The 81st Annual Venetian Festival of Charlevoix is taking place July 16-23 this year. Jam-packed with events, there is absolutely no way that you can’t have fun. Beginning at 12:30 p.m., the Festival kicks off with the Venetian Aquapalooza boating party and the Caribbean Blue Band. Throughout the following days, Venetians can play in beach volleyball and horseshoe tournaments, the Venetian Games, and jam out to band from all over the state playing rockin’ Venetian rhythms! Don’t forget that this Festival takes place in Charlevoix, which means a beautiful sunset awaits you every evening…231.547.3872 or visit venetianfestival.com.
The 2011 Inland Seas Summer Festival sets sail on July 16 in Suttons Bay. With music beginning at 11:00 a.m. and continuing until 5:00 p.m. with tunes from 3-Hour Tour, Sour Belly Trio, Don Julin—the master of jazz—and Don Middlebrook and Living Soul, festival-goers will be dancing all day long! Tickets to the Festival are $10. In addition to great bluegrass music, the Inland Seas also hosts a 5K Road Race & Walk, for which registration fees are $25. All events are geared toward family fun, like scavenger hunts and hat making, but especially the family sails on Inland Seas’ Friendship Sloop Liberty, which are scheduled throughout the Festival. Food from local restaurants will be served too! At the end of the day, stick around for the annual raffle featuring a handmade Abenaki Canoe built by ISEA volunteers! For complete schedule, call 231.271.3077 or visit schoolship.org.
Head out to Glen Arbor July 20 for the 40th Annual Glen Lake Woman’s Club Art Fair at the Glen Arbor Township Hall from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Featuring over 90 vendors from the area, visitors can find all sorts of trinkets and goodies. A favorite of the Fair is the “Trash to Treasure” area, a day-long flea market. Lunch is available on site, or you can easily walk down the street and grab a burger art Art’s Tavern. Yum!