The Mackinac Blog

Star Spangled Fourth of July – Fort Mackinac – July 4, 2025

The historic island fort is decked out in patriotic finery with banners, flags and bunting. It is an 1880’s Independence Day, with 38-gun salutes honoring the states of the period and children’s games.

Guests join the party and participate in games on the fort parade ground. Don’t miss out on this all 1880s Independence Day as we have catch and baseball available on the parade ground to go along with foot races and sack races, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, the raising of the colors, the national salute (38 rifle blasts for the 38 states of the 1880s!), a cannon salute, and much more!

Games will be available on the parade ground beginning at 1:30 p.m. Special programming will take place at 2:00 p.m. The Tea Room Restaurant, operated by Grand Hotel, is open all day serving snacks, sweets, and beverages, and will have full lunch service from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

All special programming is included with regular admission to Fort Mackinac. (always July 4)

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Nathan Graham wsg/Mary Kenyon – Music In The Park – July 10, 2025

Nathan Graham - Music In The Park

Mixing South Side Blues with Nashville Americana!

Mackinac Arts Council welcomes Nathan Graham to Music in the park!

Born and raised in Chicago, Graham meshes South Side Blues with Nashville Americana, beginning his career backing blues singers at famous haunts like Buddy Guy’s Legends and Kingston Mines. He spent a decade as a guitar-for-hire before picking up a mic to tell his own stories on the stage.

Soulful and steady, Graham’s music offers a raw introspective of the human condition that’s both painful and comforting. His guitar conveys heartbreak, lyrics tell stories of regret, but his rich vocal delivery offers the remedy.

Having brought his songs on international tours with both major label and indie acts, Graham is challenging the notion of what it means to be a singer-songwriter. He’s driving inclusivity within the genre, and he hopes to evoke a sense of understanding in the process.

Mackinac’s own Mary Kenyon will open for Nathan Graham. See you in the park!

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6:30pm, Marquette Park, Mackinac Island – Free

With a spectacular backdrop, our summer concert series takes place on the lawn of a National Historic Landmark, Marquette Park, which is at the foothills of Historic Fort Mackinac downtown across from the marina. Bring a picnic and tune in for some great live folk, rock, country, blues—the best of Americana. All concerts are free. We recommend bringing a blanket or lawn chairs for your comfort.

Music In The Park
EVERY THURSDAY 6:30pm
MARQUETTE PARK
Rain location: Mission Point Theater

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Visit Mackinac Arts Council Website >>>>

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Mackinac Arts Council On Facebook

Below are the latest postings from the Mackinac Arts Council Page On Facebook.

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Visit Mackinac Arts Council On Facebook >>>

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2025 Bayview Mackinac Race – July 12 – 15, 2025

Bayview Mackinac Race

The Bayview Mackinac Race – which will begin on Saturday, July 12, 2025 – is recognized as one of the most challenging freshwater boat races in the world. Join the excitement of the Port Huron to Mackinac Race as boat racers sail Michigan’s Great Lakes to reach their final destination, Mackinac Island. It’s all Pure Michigan from start to finish!

Bayview Mackinac Race Quicklinks:

• Online Race Tracking – 2024
• Bayview Yacht Club – Race to Mackinac Facebook Page
• Bayview Yacht Club Website

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In the ten decades that the Bayview Mackinac Race has been sailed, much has happened. Wars, economic depressions, and other significant events have transpired, yet the Race has gone on. In fact, President Franklin D. Roosevelt wired a message to Bayview during World War II when word reached the White House that the Club was considering canceling the race. That message read: “Sail your race.” Even then, it was clear that this race was and is important for sailors and for the State of Michigan. Bayview did sail the Mackinac Race that year, and has done so every single year since the first Bayview Mackinac Race in 1925, making it the longest consecutively run freshwater race in the world. This year’s race starts on July 12, 2025.

In its own way, the Bayview Mackinac race has become a vital part of Great Lakes history, Michigan history, and sailing history.

Celebrate the start of the race in Port Huron. Then follow the course of the Port Huron to Mackinac Race as they head north along the shores of Michigan’s eastern coast. Join the festivities at the finish line on Mackinac Island. Where the hospitality and celebration is always second to none.

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Visit Bayview Yacht Club Website >>>>

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Bayview Mackinac Race On Facebook

Below are the latest postings from the Bayview Mackinac Race Page On Facebook.

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Visit Bayview Mackinac Race on Facebook >>>

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Chippewa Hotel – Bayview Mackinac Race – Photo Gallery (Click on photo for slideshow view)
 
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Visit Bayview Yacht Club Website >>>>

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Grand Hotel – July Grand Princess and Superhero Package – July 13 – 15, 2025

July Grand Princess and Superhero Package

For the fun of it, for the escape of it: Join the magic of the Grand Princess and Superhero Package at America’s Summer Place. Your own princess or superhero will have a Grand time dressing up as their favorite princess or superhero for two days filled with fun activities and entertainment. Create lasting memories and family traditions at Grand Hotel while experiencing moments directly from storybooks.

Package Includes:

  • Grand Hotel accommodations
  • Breakfast and dinner daily
  • All resort amenities
  • Royal Welcome Reception with Princesses and Superhero’s
  • Singa-long and bedtime stories in the Theatre
  • Superhero Training in the Tea Garden
  • Afternoon Tea and activities with characters
  • Not-So-Quite Midnight Ball
  • Grand Princess and Superhero Graduation
  • Complimentary admission to the Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum

Watch Grand Princess & Superhero Video Highlights

Read how “Tiny princesses, superheroes get royal treatment at Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel”

The Grand Princess and Superhero Package is also available online or by calling Grand Hotel reservations at 1-800-334-7263.

View Grand Hotel Policies and Information >> to learn more about our evening dress code, luggage process, and more.  

View the Tentative Agenda below. Please note that the events, times and locations listed in the Tentative Agenda are subject to change.

*Subject to 6% Michigan sales tax, 3% Mackinac Island assessment, 19.5% resort fee, and a $15.00 per person, per stay, baggage-handling charge. Regular children’s rates apply. Extra charges apply for additional adults over double occupancy rates. Dates are subject to availability, 30-day cancellation policy applies.

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Visit Grand Hotel Website >>>>

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Grand Hotel On Facebook

Below are the latest postings from the Grand Hotel Page On Facebook.

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Visit Grand Hotel Website >>>>

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Jill Jack Band – Music In The Park – July 17, 2025

Jill Jack Band - Music In The Park

Detroit based singer-songwriter captures audiences with her soulful voice and dynamic storytelling. Following her dream and passion to create art to share with the world, Jill has written and produced 12 albums and toured the country.

She has toured across the country, appearing as a headliner at venues and festivals such as SXSW (South by Southwest), the Ann Arbor Folk Festival, the 30A Songwriters Festival, the WYCD Downtown Hoedown, the Blissfest Musical Festival, The Bluebird Cafe and The Living Room in New York City. She has played for audiences as big as 20,000 people and as intimate as 20.

She has also starred in consistently sold-out shows at the historic Ark in Ann Arbor, and opened for such prominent touring acts as Bob Seger, John Waite, Emmy Lou Harris, Shawn Colvin, Patty Griffin, Dan Fogelberg, Marshall Crenshaw, Chris Isaak and Loretta Lynn.

We hope you will join us to welcome back the The Jill Jack Band!

https://www.jilljack.com/bio/

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6:30pm, Marquette Park, Mackinac Island – Free

With a spectacular backdrop, our summer concert series takes place on the lawn of a National Historic Landmark, Marquette Park, which is at the foothills of Historic Fort Mackinac downtown across from the marina. Bring a picnic and tune in for some great live folk, rock, country, blues—the best of Americana. All concerts are free. We recommend bringing a blanket or lawn chairs for your comfort.

Music In The Park
EVERY THURSDAY 6:30pm
MARQUETTE PARK
Rain location: Mission Point Theater

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Visit Mackinac Arts Council Website >>>>

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Mackinac Arts Council On Facebook

Below are the latest postings from the Mackinac Arts Council Page On Facebook.

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Visit Mackinac Arts Council On Facebook >>>

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Chicago Yacht Club – Race to Mackinac – July 18 – 22, 2025

Chicago Yacht Club - Race to Mackinac

Chicago Yacht Club - Race to Mackinac

Sailors from 15 different U.S. states as well as Ontario, Switzerland, and as far off as Hong Kong, are preparing for the race of a lifetime – the 333 mile Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac, presented by Wintrust.

The Mac, as it is affectionately known, kicks off Friday, July 18, 2025 (cruising division) and Saturday, July 19, 2025 (racing division) with 3,000 sailors competing in this world-class sporting event. Although The Mac remains primarily an amateur event, this race has a proven track record of attracting some of the finest sailing talent in the sport.

The Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac is the longest, annual freshwater sailing race in the world. It takes place on Lake Michigan.

Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac Quicklinks: (Look for updates as racetime approaches)

• Race to Mackinac – FAQ – Basic questions (and answers) about the race

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• Online Race Tracking

• Mackinac Bridge Call-Ins Page (Keeps track of boats that have passed the bridge)

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• Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac Facebook Page
• Follow the Race to Mackinac Via Twitter
• Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac Website

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Visit Race To Mackinac Website >>>>

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Chicago Yacht Club – Race to Mackinac On Facebook

Below are the latest postings from the Chicago Yacht Club – Race to Mackinac Page On Facebook.

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Visit Chicago Yacht Club – Race to Mackinac on Facebook >>>

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Chicago Yacht Club Race To Mackinac – Photos via Instagram

Here are the latest photos of Chicago Yacht Club Race To Mackinac via instagram. If you have an instagram photo to share of Chicago Yacht Club Race To Mackinac, tag it with #cycrtm and your photos will appear in the photo stream below.

#cycrtm

Day 25: Watch the boats cross the finish line in the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac! Congratulations to Whitehawk! The first boat to cross the finish line! ⛵️🍾🥂☀️ racetomackinac chicagoyachtclub #94GrandSummerDays

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From Italy to Chicago, ready to race no matter the waters! #nastrorosatour #captainsboatcare #mypastatruck #cycrtm

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It was a beautiful day for the start of the 113th running of the CYC Race to Mackinac! Cruising divisions are off and running. Great to be back this year! #cycrtm #chicagoyachtclub #racetomackinac

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#CYCRTM, #Hiwassee, #Farr395, #jasailing, #racetomackinac, #weather, #clouds, #sailing, predict_wind

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Haulin ass while witnessing a gorgeous sunrise… #cycrtm

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Heading back from Mackinac Island to Chicago. I got to go to the island as part of race committee for this year's Chicago to Mackinac race, which was incredible. Thanks racetomackinac for having me - here's to the first of many. More photos to come after I figure out my next move on the trip home! #cycrtm

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The Chicago Race to Mackinac has begun, and he's cheering them on. Since 1921, the Race to Mackinac has run consecutively every year, remains the longest annual freshwater distance race, and is recognized as one of the most prestigious sailing races in the world. Today, sailors from Maine to California make this race an invariable part of their summer. Moreover, each year, the Mac hosts sailors from as far off as Hong Kong, New Zealand, and Australia. Although the Mac remains primarily an amateur event, this race has a proven track record of attracting some of the finest sailing talent in the sport.  America's Favorite Weatherspotter Yeagor 150# Black Russian Terrier #greatlakes #lakemichigan #chicago #illinois #usa #mackinac #mackinacisle #mackinacisland #michigan #usa #sayyestomichigan #sail #chicagoyachtclub #sailboatrace #sailing #sailon #sailingadventure #sailingaway #chicagomac2023 #cycrtm #weatherwatch #watchweather #weatherspotter #weatheringwithyou #cherylscottwx #weatheryoulikeitornot

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A beautiful night for a sailboat race. #makeitmackinac #CYCRTM

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#cycrtm2023 #cycrtm which will finish first!?

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It’s summer in Chicago and that means the 114th Race to Mackinac! We are racing Jasmin again to defend our title, again (a three-peat?). Unlike the stormy (and fast) race of last year, this looks to be a slow race (read: lots of sun, little wind). It’s a good thing we all like each other on the crew! Follow us as we work our way north from Chicago… start time is today at 3:10. Hope to arrive by Monday. Tracking for this year’s race is available on the web. View Race Tracker https://yb.tl/chicagomac2023 For the best experience on your mobile device (iOS or Android), download the free YB Races app. For those of you who have followed us in the past, just open you app and find the CYC Race 2023 and search for Jasmin in the Cruising Division. Thanks for cheering us on! #CYCRTM

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Chicago Yacht Club – Race to Mackinac Photo Gallery (Click on photos for slideshow view)
 

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Visit Race To Mackinac Website >>>>

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Archive – 2018 Race To Mackinac

Monday Afternoon Live Drone Coverage of the Finish Line of the 2018 Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac

Il Mostro First To Finish in the 2018 Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac

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