Mackinac Island Winter Festival

It’s the time of year where many cities and towns are celebrating the joys of Winter. It’s a

great way to get outside, enjoy winter activities with your family, plus see neighbors and friends

who’ve been hibernating since the Holidays.

History has always been a part of Mackinac. In 1976, the very first winter festival took place on

Mackinac Island and we’re proud to be celebrating the 39^th Annual Mackinac Island Winter Festival

starting on Saturday, February 7^th – Sunday February 8^th. Aside from the great fun, it serves as a

fundraiser for Mackinac Island Recreational Development (MIRD). They raise much needed money

through the sale of the annual Season of Mackinac Calendar. Playground equipment, cross-country

skis for use at the school, funding for the purchase of ski trail grooming equipment all the while

continuing to outfit and upgrade Great Turtle Park for the community.

For those of us fortunate enough to live on Mackinac Island year round, it’s fun everyday, but the

real fun begins at 12:00 noon at Great Turtle Park with a warming fire to welcome everyone.

Get ready for tasty grilled hot dogs, brats, chili and s’mores. From noon to 2:00 pm, there’s plenty

of activities for the kids as well as the kids at heart. Get ready for;

After those great fun activities, a Snowmobile Safari starts at 6:00 pm and from 7:00-9:00 pm

is Middle School Fun at Saint Anne’s followed by Teen Night at Turtle Park at 8:00 pm.

Catch your breath and get a good night’s sleep because there’s another fun-packed day

scheduled for Sunday. Give yourself a break and skip the hassle of making breakfast and join

us at 10:00 am for our Winter Festival Brunch with mouth-watering pancakes, bacon, sausage,

eggs, potatoes, biscuits & gravy, pastries & fresh fruit at the school. There’s a Bake Sale all day at

the school, so stock up with baked goodies, a Cookie Contest, and a Photo Contest for the 2017

Seasons of Mackinac Calendar and a Silent Auction that ends at 2:00 pm.

But wait, there’s more! From 11:00 am- 1:00 pm, there’s a Poker Run. Plus,

Plus you can buy Winter Festival buttons individually and in family packs. So, save the dates,

February 7 & 8, join us all for great fun, food, games and activities and best of all, a great cause

that helps our special Mackinac Island community year round. If you’re interested, sponsorships

and donations for event prizes and silent auctions are always needed and much appreciated.

Donations can be delivered to First National Bank on Market Street or to Mackinac Island Public

School. For those who live on the mainland and love Mackinac, (you know who you are), send by

mail to:

Mackinac Island Recreational Development (MIRD)

PO Box 421

Mackinac Island, MI 49757.

So buy a Seasons of Mackinac calendar, get ready and we’re looking forward to seeing you

at the 39^th Mackinac Island Winter Festival so until next time……..

George Piliouras for The Lilac Voice