The Mackinac Blog

Grand Hotel – Old Fashioned Mackinac Fourth of July Celebration – July 2 – 6, 2026

Grand Hotel - Old Fashioned Mackinac Fourth of July Celebration

Available Thursday, July 2, 2026 – Monday, July 6, 2026

In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, we invite you to Grand Hotel for a Fourth of July celebration unlike any other! This year’s celebration promises endless fun for the entire family, from lively poolside parties and kid-friendly movies to festive cookouts and a spectacular fireworks display over the Straits of Mackinac. Special touches like themed receptions and ice cream socials will make this milestone celebration one you’ll treasure for years to come.

This four-night experience includes two adults and one child (ages 6–12) and includes accommodations, dining, and all holiday festivities plus 40% savings on select package nights.

Package Includes:

  • Grand Hotel accommodations
  • Breakfast and dinner daily with a casual family dining option
  • All resort amenities
  • Two-Day Children’s Carnival
  • July 2nd, 3rd, and 5th – Glow sticks and evening family movies at the Esther Williams Swimming Pool
  • July 2nd and 5th – Pool Party with DJ
  • Thursday, July 2nd Evening Reception
  • Friday, July 3rd casual BBQ luncheon
  • Friday, July 3rd Seersucker-themed Evening Reception
  • Saturday, July 4th Ice Cream Social
  • Saturday, July 4th Grand Fireworks Display
  • Complimentary admission to the Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum

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

<>

Visit Grand Hotel Website >>>>

<>

Grand Hotel On Facebook

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

<>

<>

Visit Grand Hotel Website >>>>

<>

 
 

Addison Agen wsg/ Katherine Ryan – Music In The Park – July 2, 2026

Addison Agen - Music In The Park

We are delighted to welcome Addison Agen to Music in the Park this season!

ADDISON AGEN // SHORT BIO

Addison Agen is an Indie-Folk and Americana singer-songwriter best known as Season 13’s first runner-up on NBC’s The Voice.

Based out of Nashville, TN, Addison’s powerful and heart-wrenching voice welcomes listeners of all kinds to be grateful and self- reflective. Addison has shared the stage with artists such as Bob Seger, JOSEPH, Gordon Lightfoot, Brandy Clark, Peter Mulvey, Liz Longley, and May Erlewine while performing at top venues/events including The Winter Jam Tour, The Philadelphia Folk Festival, Nashville’s Famous Bluebird Café, The Ark, Caffe Lena and more. Her reflective music is woven together with themes of hopefulness, acceptance, and joy, and her new, full-length record released in summer 2025.

In late 2024, Addison Agen and Skye Peterson launched a new band called Fielder, an alternative-folk duo with songs that are spirited, heartfelt, and thoughtful. The full record released in August 2025.

(Rain Location: Mission Point Theater)

<>

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

<>

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 >>>

<>

 
 

Mackinac Island Stone Skipping Tournament – July 4, 2026

The annual 4th of July tournament on Mackinac Island is sure to be another crowd pleaser.

Everyone is eligible to compete in the tournament. The more the merrier.

The tournament is open to all ages and always occurs at Windermere Pointe Beach (Located next to Hotel Iroquois) every year at 10:00 am on the 4th of July. Professional skippers compete at high noon, often skipping 20+ skips.

<>

Schedule:

09:30am: Registration & check-in begins

10:00am: Gerplunkers, Pebbles and Open divisions

11:00am: Check-in closes

11:30am: Amateur Award Ceremony

12:00pm: Professional Tournament Begins

1:00pm: Professional Tournament Award Ceremony

All are welcome to participate in some family fun. No one is too young or too old to compete.

<>

Visit Mackinac Island Stone Skipping Website >>>>

<>

50th Annual Stone Skipping was great fun

The weather was perfect on Mackinac Island for the 5oth annual tournament open to all. Check out the final results on the 2018 Scorecard to see this years winners.

The Pro division was quite exciting with a tie for first place. Traditionally when there is a tie the win goes to the to skippers second best stone. This year Bugsy and Lefty tied for 19 as their best skip and tied again with 17 for their second best skip. After deliberating with the judges Acting High Commissioner Paul H. Toepp, III announced that the winner would be determined by a sudden death 1 stone skip off. The crowd audibly signed when Bugsy threw a 5 and wonder if Left would go for the easy win. Lefty wound up and through for a 20+ but ended up with a 10 to take this years pro title.

Read More

<>

Skips Stones For Fudge [OFFICIAL TRAILER] from Highway Goat Productions on Vimeo.

Photos and Video from the 2010 Stone Skipping Tournament

Former Guinness Book Record holder Russ “Rock Bottom” Byars won the 2010 Mackinac Island Stone Skipping Tournament with a throw of 30 skips. Second place went to Todd “Mussels” Callewaert with 26 skips & rounding out 3rd was Glenn “Hard Luck” Loy with a 22 skips. (Note: Video is the third round throw and is not the tournament winning 30 skip throw.)

Photos from the Mackinac Island Stone Skipping Tournament – July 4, 2010

<>

Visit Mackinac Island Stone Skipping Website >>>>

<>

 
 

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 >>>>

<>

 
 

Grace West Wsg/ NDNSummer – Music In The Park – July 9, 2026

Grace West - Music In The Park

Join us in the Park and experience an amazing concert featuring Grace West a modern country artist with a timeless twang, whose unique sound blends her northern roots with southern influences. FREE Admission.

Grace West is a modern country artist with a timeless twang, blending her northern roots with southern influences. A Detroit native, she picked up her grandfather’s guitar at 12 and has been crafting heartfelt, story-driven music ever since. From a teenage publishing deal to moving to Nashville, Grace has honed a sound that honors classic country while embracing a contemporary pop-country edge.

Audiences first fell in love with her when she played our Performing Arts Series last year, and we’re thrilled to welcome her back to the park this season! Known for her pure vocals and captivating storytelling, Grace gained national recognition as the runner-up on NBC’s The Voice (season 23), earning praise from Blake Shelton as “the real deal.” Her music merges old-school charm with modern flair, making her a must-see for country fans of all ages.

<>

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

<>

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 >>>

<>

 
 

Chicago Yacht Club – Race to Mackinac – July 10 – 14, 2026

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 10, 2026 (cruising division) and Saturday, July 11, 2026 (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

<>

• Online Race Tracking

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

<>

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

<>

Visit Race To Mackinac Website >>>>

<>

Chicago Yacht Club – Race to Mackinac On Facebook

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

<>

Race To Mackinac

<>

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

<>

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

And away we go! Good luck and fair winds to all our racetomackinac crew friends & family! See you on the island. 🌴 #nomad #CYCRTM

View on Instagram
0 0
Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 18184014913170361 And away we go! Good luck and fair winds to all our racetomackinac crew friends & family! See you on the island. 🌴 #nomad #CYCRTM

And away we go! Good luck and fair winds to all our racetomackinac crew friends & family! See you on the island. 🌴 #nomad #CYCRTM ...

0 0

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

View on Instagram
0 2
Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 17944065752009606 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

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 ...

0 2

It's off to Mackinac Island for more than 285 yachts as they leave Monroe Harbor in Chicago on July 22, 1978. Photo by Michael Budrys. #RacetoMackinac #Mackinacrace #sailing #CYCRTM #americasoffshorechallenge

View on Instagram
0 8
Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 18048610633156750 It's off to Mackinac Island for more than 285 yachts as they leave Monroe Harbor in Chicago on July 22, 1978. Photo by Michael Budrys. #RacetoMackinac #Mackinacrace #sailing #CYCRTM #americasoffshorechallenge

It's off to Mackinac Island for more than 285 yachts as they leave Monroe Harbor in Chicago on July 22, 1978. Photo by Michael Budrys. #RacetoMackinac #Mackinacrace #sailing #CYCRTM #americasoffshorechallenge ...

0 8

Working on the rebuild. #spinlock #spinlockxts #macprep2022 #macprep #cycrtm

View on Instagram
0 0
Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 17964726844743965 Working on the rebuild. #spinlock #spinlockxts #macprep2022 #macprep #cycrtm

Working on the rebuild. #spinlock #spinlockxts #macprep2022 #macprep #cycrtm ...

0 0

Great night photographing the yachts crossing the finish line! Welcome to Mackinac sailors! ⛵️ #cycrtm

View on Instagram
0 40
Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 17913719911812184 Great night photographing the yachts crossing the finish line! Welcome to Mackinac sailors! ⛵️ #cycrtm

Great night photographing the yachts crossing the finish line! Welcome to Mackinac sailors! ⛵️ #cycrtm ...

0 40

A bit overcast out there today, but the Race to Mackinac is in full swing. I missed the earlier divisions. Still fabulous! #chicago #chicagolakefront #racetomackinac #cycrtm #citylife #lakelife

View on Instagram
0 1
Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 18014967235668692 A bit overcast out there today, but the Race to Mackinac is in full swing. I missed the earlier divisions. Still fabulous! #chicago #chicagolakefront #racetomackinac #cycrtm #citylife #lakelife

A bit overcast out there today, but the Race to Mackinac is in full swing. I missed the earlier divisions. Still fabulous! #chicago #chicagolakefront #racetomackinac #cycrtm #citylife #lakelife ...

0 1

#cycrtm2023 #cycrtm which will finish first!?

View on Instagram
0 0
Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 17994446756093596 #cycrtm2023 #cycrtm which will finish first!?

#cycrtm2023 #cycrtm which will finish first!? ...

0 0

Esprit d’Ecosse and friends ready for the 2023 Chicago race to Mackinac! #cycrtm

View on Instagram
0 0
Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 18067772899398486 Esprit d’Ecosse and friends ready for the 2023 Chicago race to Mackinac! #cycrtm

Esprit d’Ecosse and friends ready for the 2023 Chicago race to Mackinac! #cycrtm ...

0 0

<>

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

<>

Visit Race To Mackinac Website >>>>

<>

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

<>

<>

Visit Race To Mackinac Website >>>>

<>

 
 

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