The Mackinac Blog

Zoo-de-Mackinac – May 16, 17 & 18, 2025

The Zoo-de-Mackinac is a weekend of huge parties with great bands, one of the most scenic bicycle rides in the country, a lot of sunshine, views of the mighty Mackinac Bridge, and one magical island.

This is Not a Race!

The Zoo-de-Mackinac is a collection of outdoor enthusiasts (2,500-4,000) who want to enjoy a little physical exercise together in one of the most beautiful areas in the state of Michigan. The bike ride starts Saturday morning at Boyne Highlands Resort and spans 51 miles along Lake Michigan on a paved road with very little automobile traffic. Riders pedal through rolling countryside and trillium covered forests, along sandy beaches, and are surrounded by breathtaking views of Lake Michigan from 400′ high bluffs. We stop approximately half way, at a unique place called the Legs Inn for a leisurely lunch and to swap stories. The ride continues on to Mackinaw City, where Star Line Ferry boats have been chartered for the ride over to Mackinac Island. Once on the magical island, check into your hotel and stroll into town to forget the aches and pains from the day’s ride. As the evening wears on, the island comes alive with The Gatehouse, Pink Pony, and Horns hosting post ride parties with incredible live bands!

<>

Visit the Zoo-De-Mackinac Website >>>>

<>

Zoo-De-Mackinac On Facebook

Below are the latest postings from the Zoo-De-Mackinac Page On Facebook.

<>

Zoo-De-Mackinac

<>

Visit the Zoo-De-Mackinac Facebook Page >>>

<>

Visit the Zoo-De-Mackinac Website >>>>

<>

 
 

Grand Hotel – Spring Food & Wine Weekend – May 31 – June 2, 2024

For the fun and fancy of it, join us for Grand Hotel’s Spring Food & Wine Weekend! Experience incredible meals throughout the weekend and discover your love for food, wine, and travel with this special wine tasting and hotel package. On Saturday evening prepare yourself for an incredible pairing dinner, with a menu curated by our Grand Hotel Executive Chef. Each course is paired perfectly with a wine selection chosen by Elizabeth Schweitzer, Grand Hotel’s Master Sommelier.

Package Includes:

  • Grand Hotel accommodations
  • Welcome amenity
  • Breakfast and dinner daily
  • Friday evening welcome reception
  • Saturday wine tasting & cooking demonstration event
  • Saturday evening wine pairing dinner
  • Complimentary admission to the Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum

Spring Food & Wine Weekend can also be booked by calling Grand Hotel Reservations at 1-800-334-7263.

Combine your love for travel with a dining experience you’ll never forget at America’s Summer Place.

View Grand Hotel Policies and Information >>

*Subject to Michigan 6% sales tax, 3% Mackinac Island assessment, 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. A 30-day cancellation policy applies.

<>

Visit Grand Hotel Website >>>>

<>

<>

Visit Grand Hotel Website >>>>

<>

 
 

Lilac Festival Run & Walk – June 6, 2026

Lilac 10K Run & Walk

Join us on Saturday, June 6, 2026, to kick off the 78th Mackinac Island Lilac Festival with a great morning race to enjoy the early season beauty on the Island. The course will provide you with the tree-covered paved roads through the center of the Island, and tremendous lake views with the Mackinac Bridge on the horizon. This is certainly a race you don’t want to miss!

Lil’ Lilac Kid’s Race!

There will be a special event for young children starting at 11:45, at the school. Children will run on the lawn outside the school (either 150 or 300 yards, depending on age and ability), and receive a medal at the finish. Race registration includes a shirt.

Race Start and Distance!

Location

The Lilac Festival Run & Walk will start in front of Wyndamere Park on Main Street and finish in the Mackinac Island School yard. (The start is 5 Minutes from the school, so please allow enough time).

The Lil’ Lilac Kids Run will begin and end at the Mackinac Island Public School. Children will run either 150 or 300 yards on the lawn outside the school.

Starting Times

10K race start is 9:30 a.m.

Lil’ Lilac Kids Run start is 11:45 a.m.

<>

Visit Lilac Festival Run & Walk Website >>>>

<>

 
 

Grand Hotel – On the Case with Jane Seymour – June 10 – 13, 2024

Grand Hotel - On the Case with Jane Seymour

Embark on a Hollywood-style adventure with Jane Seymour at Grand Hotel where mystery, excitement, and intrigue await as you immerse yourself in the captivating world of her hit Acorn TV detective series, “Harry Wild” (watch the series trailer). The third season of the fan-favorite Irish mystery series will debut on Monday, May 13 on Acorn TV, with a co-premiere on AMC Networks’ linear platform, BBC America.

Package Includes:

  • Daily Breakfast and Dinner
  • Special Screenings of the hit Acorn TV series Harry Wild
  • Harry Wild Q & A sessions
  • Meet & Greet with Jane Seymour and surprises from Harry Wild cast & crew members
  • Autograph Session with Jane Seymour herself, take home a cherished memento and learn more about the Open Hearts Foundation
  • Harry Wild Mystery themed 1920’s Cocktail Reception
  • “Movies on Mackinac” lecture with Resident Historian Bob Tagatz

Join us at Grand Hotel for an unforgettable experience getting up close and personal with Jane Seymour. Get ready to walk the red carpet and uncover the mysteries that lie ahead, guided by the streamer that is home to an abundance of brilliant international detective series, dramas and thrillers, Acorn TV.

Learn more about the Open Hearts Foundation:

Co-Founded by Jane Seymour, the Open Hearts Foundation has been shoulder to shoulder with those experiencing adversity, providing many forms of support and inspiration. At the heart of the Foundation’s mission is the Open Hearts Philosophy that in times of great challenge, one must accept it and reach out to do what they can to help others. In doing this, they can find purpose and live with an open heart. The Foundation fulfills its mission and has a deep commitment to serve through its two programs: a grant making program and the Young Hearts Volunteerism program. The Foundation has provided more than $1.4 million to emerging charities throughout the United States in its grantmaking history and has engaged thousands of volunteers across the globe to do what they can to help and find their unique purpose. The Foundation is a small, public, 501(c)(3) foundation with an enormous mission, supported by creative, like-minded people working together for the greater good. Everyone is invited to join the Open Hearts movement! www.OpenHeartsFoundation.org

<>

Visit Grand Hotel Website >>>>

<>

Grand Hotel On Facebook

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

<>

<>

Visit Grand Hotel Website >>>>

<>

 
 

Mackinac’s Got Talent Auditions! – Music In The Park – June 26, 2025

Mackinac’s Got Talent! - Music In The Park

Time & Location

Jun 26, 2025, 6:00 PM

Marquette Park, Missionary Bark Chapel, 7200 Huron St, Mackinac Island, MI 49757, USA
About

Round 1 of Mackinac’s Got Talent. Experience the boundless creativity of Mackinac Island! Open to all island residents and summer employees.

AUDITIONS!

Who can enter? – Anyone who Lives or Works on Mackinac Island, and who is not a professional artist.*

Contestants must arrive by 6pm on June 26th to compete.

You do not need to sign up before arriving. If you are using a backing/accompaniment track it MUST be publicly available online for us to access – EXAMPLES – YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music…etc. If you are using a custom track, please email it to Laura@mackinacartscouncil.org by 10 pm June 25th.

Singing , Dancing, Acting, Comedy, Spoken Word, Magic, Variety, Slam poetry and more! Have a talent? Come and share it with us – All TALENT Welcome ++

The Finale will take place on Thursday, August 28nd. You must be available on August 282nd to advance to the Finale.

*This event is meant to be a showcase of Mackinac Island talent; we kindly ask that only those who work and live on the island participate.

All are welcome in the audience. This is an amateur competition, we kindly ask that no professional artists compete.

++ Please ensure that any talent act and lyrics are family friendly. Let’s keep it PG!

Grand Prize $600 Plus a spot as an opening act at Music in the Park 2026

Second Place $300

Third Place $100

Student Award $100 Must be 18yrs or younger

<>

Music in the Park – 6:00pm, 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

<>

Visit Mackinac Arts Council Website >>>>

<>

Mackinac Arts Council On Facebook

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

<>

Mackinac Arts Council

<>

Visit Mackinac Arts Council On Facebook >>>

<>

 
 

Star Spangled Fourth of July – Fort Mackinac – July 4, 2026

July 4 @ 9:30 am – 7:00 pm

An America250 event! 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 and relay races, a band, 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!

Music will start at 3:00 p.m. Games will be available on the parade ground beginning at 3:15 p.m. The reading of the Declaration of Independence, raising of colors, toast, and national salute will begin around 4:15 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.

<>

Visit Mackinac Island State Park Website >>>>

<>

 
 

Mackinac Blog - Mackinac Island, Michigan - produced by North Guide Internet.