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Benzie Information on: Events and Entertainment

EVENT LISTING

Weekend Calendar of Events

Weekend Calendar of Events
By Colin Merry

Frankfort

Crystal Lake Art Center Downtown Frankfort Art Walk
When: July 10th, from 6pm to 9pm
Where: Downtown Frankfort
What: Visitors and residents are invited to visit downtown businesses as they display local artists work. The artists themselves will be on hand to answer any questions and talk with patrons of the arts. Free wine tasting will also be held at the former Coast Guard station, provided by the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association. Listings of participating businesses and artists will be available at the Crystal Lake Art Center across from Glens, the Frankfort Elberta Area Chamber of Commerce ore participating businesses. Visitors can pick up tickets which can be entered into a drawing at the Art Center when the evening comes to a close. Call 231-352-4151 for more information.

Frankfort Farmer’s Market511391916_8442b515da
When: July 11th from 8 am to 1 pm
Where: Open Space Park
What: Growers, artists and crafters from Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Manistee and Wexford counties bring a variety of produce, meats and hand-crafted food products to Frankfort to sell in a traditional farmers market setting.

Benzonia

Chamber Music North-Village Series-Something Old Something New
When: July 12th at 7 pm
Where: Mills Community House
What: The Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s finest performers present Larsson’s Concerto, written by Lars-Erik Larsson and Sextet for strings, written by Detroit Symphony bassist Rick Robinson. Tickets $18 Advanced $20 At Door: $8 Student. For more information, call 231-882-0591

Friends of Benzonia Public Library Annual Used Book Sale
When: July 10th and 11th, from 6 pm to 9 pm
Where: Benzonia Public Library
What: Annual book sale. This year, more large print books are offered.

Beulah

The Beulah Art Fair
When: July 11th
Where: Beulah Park on Crystal Lake
What: Crafters and artists from across Michigan come to display their arts and crafts. Pottery, paintings, wood items and much more can all be found in sight of beautiful Crystal Lake.

Thompsonville

Summer Sounds 2009 series at the Michigan Legacy Art Park, feat Lake Effect
When: July 10th at 7 pm
Where: Legacy Art Park at the Crystal Mountain Resort and Spa
What: American roots band Lake Effect will be performing at Jessie Frohlich Amphitheater. A family band, Lake Effect has played throughout Michigan for nearly 30 years. Call 231-378-4963 for more information.

Honor

Benzie Bass Challenge-Blue Bracket Weekend Challenge
When: July 11th, from 6 am to 2 pm
Where: Birch Point on Big Platte Lake
What: Bass fishing tournament for National Bass Anglers Association, the step below Bass Pro tournaments. Area anglers compete for season points and cash prizes on a lake know for harboring the wily smallmouth bass. For more information, contact Ray Stark at 231-882-4291, or visit his website at www.starkwater-woods.com

Bear Lake
Picture 3
Bear Lake Days
When: July 10th, 11th, and 12th. Events scheduled throughout the day.
Where: Bear Lake
What: Annual festival in Bear Lake, featuring a variety of activities from fishing contests and sidewalk sales to fireworks and arts and crafts. Dynamite the Clown will even make an appearance. Visit http://www.bearlakemichigan.com/bldays09/schedule.html for more details.


EVENT LISTING

Weekend Calendar of Events

This picture was taken by Seth Barch

Weekend Round-Up
By Colin Merry

Frankfort

Medallion Hunt
When: July 1st through the 4th. Clues revealed at 9am
Where: Clues revealed at Chamber of Commerce, Walentas and State Savings Bank
What: Treasure seekers must decipher clues in order to find the location of the Frankfort Medallion, worth $150 to whoever finds it.

Carnival
When: July 2nd through the 5th.
Thursday at 5 pm
Friday at 12 pm
Saturday at 10 am
Sunday 12-6 pm
Where: Frankfort Jr./Sr. High School
What: Schmidt Amusements Carnival, with midway games, rides and food vendors.

July 4th festivities
When: July 4th all throughout the day
Where: Throughout Frankfort
What: A full day of activities are scheduled for the 4th of July celebration in the port town of Frankfort on Lake Michigan. Festivities kick off with St. Anne’s pancake breakfast at 7:30 am, followed by a bicycle decorating contest at Graceland Fruit at 9:30. The annual 4th of July parade is at 10:00 am, with floats representing local businesses traveling down Forest and Main Street. Also starting at 10 am, Art in the Park, with arts and crafts vendors congregating in Mineral Springs Park until 4pm. The Lion’s Club Chicken Barbecue will also take place in Mineral Springs Park, starting at 12 pm. On the beach, a sand sculpture contest will be held between 12pm and 3pm. Participants are asked to sign up at the chamber office or at the entrance to the beach. Fireworks will be held at dusk at the Frankfort Beach. This year, one lucky raffle winner will be able to push the button to start the show. Visit http://www.frankfort-elberta.com/ for a full schedule and information.

Frankfort Farmers Market
When: July 4th from 8 am to 1 pm
Where: Open Space Park
What: Locally produced greens, meats and other food products will be available to purchase in a traditional farmers market setting. Come taste the difference small farming operations and hand-crafting can make.

Beulah

s_fireworksCelebration 2009
When: July 4th, all throughout the day
Where: Throughout Beulah
What: On Crystal Lake, Beulah will be holding a myriad of 4th of July activities. The 5k Firecracker Run starts at 8 am in Beulah Park, followed by the family walk and fun run at 8:30 am. For those who feel less like running and more like breakfast, the Hungry Tummy in the downtown area will be having a pancake breakfast buffet from 8am t o 11am. Kids games start in Beulah Park at 10:30am until noon, with face painting at 11am to 3pm. Scheduled children’s games begin at 2:30 pm with the “greased pole climb”, followed by a coin hunt on the beach at 3:30pm and a rubber duck race at 4:30pm. The annual Independence Day parade will be held in downtown Beulah at 1:30 pm. Snacks and picnic foods will be available in the park from 12 pm to whenever people stop eating. The fireworks show, which will be fired from a moving barge along the east shore of Crystal Lake, will be ignited around 10:30 pm.

Lake Ann

16th annual Lake Ann Homecoming
When: July 4th, with activities throughout the day
Where: Lake Ann
What: Lake Ann is hosting its own celebration on the 4th to honor the villages’ history.

The homecoming starts at 9 p.m. with an opening ceremony introducing the village’s officials and senior citizens. After the ceremony, things get kicked off with a vintage tractor and classic car parade through downtown Lake Ann at 11:00 a.m. Also, throughout the day, activities will be taking place such as an auction, a crafts and flea market, live music and children’s games. A barbecue lunch will be served at the Almira Township Hall from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., featuring BBQ pork, baked beans and other picnic favorites. Snack foods will also be available at vendors.

Manistee

National Forest Festival
When: July 1st-5th
Where: Manistee
What: Manistee’s popular National Forest Festival also takes place on the 4th of July weekend, bringing with it a host of events to keep visitors busy. The festival starts on the 1st of July, with a woodworking workshop and the official opening of the festival market place and food vendors starting at 10 a.m. Historical trolley tours start at 11 a.m. and the T.J. Schmidt & Company Carnival will be ready to go at 2 p.m. The festival market, food vendors and the carnival will continue every day during the festival. A variety of festivities continue over the next few days, with Texas hold em’ tournaments, art exhibits, bed races, live music, guided tours, animal exhibits, auctions, kids events and much, much more. The Scottville Clown Band will make several appearances, once during the parade at 10 am on the 4th and once on the 5th at 4pm at the beach. Fireworks will be held on the 3rd instead of the 4th.
There are many events spanning this multi-day festival, so visit the official website at http://www.manisteechamber.com/commitees/festival.htm for a full schedule and locations.


EVENT LISTING

Weekend Calendar of Events

surf

By Colin Merry

 
Frankfort

Take a Kid Fishing
When: June 26th and 27th. Nightcrawler hunt starts at dusk, fishing starts around 8a.m.
Where: Mineral Springs and Open Space parks.
What: The 6th annual Take a Kid Fishing event gives children the opportunity to learn fishing doesn’t have to be hard or about competition. Kids don’t even need their own equipment! Volunteers teach aspiring anglers the basics of fishing and set them up with a rod, reel and some bait. The kids do the rest. Coffee and doughnuts will be available in the morning and a picnic lunch with hot dogs, chips and pop will be provided in the afternoon. Everything is free of charge. Event organizer Bob McNabb said no child will be turned away, though it is preferred they come accompanied by an adult. Call Bob McNabb at 231-352-4440 or 231-352-7251 for more information.


Frankfort Farmers Market

When: June 27th from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Open Space Park
What: Local growers and food producers offer a variety of organically grown produce, baked goods, fresh eggs and free range meats in a traditional farmers market setting. This week is the Lavender Festival. Learn about the properties of lavender and experience crafts, beverages, baked goods, soaps and skin care products created using lavender. Actual lavender plants will also be available for purchase.

Honor

Strawberry Social
When: June 27th, from 1-3 p.m
Where: Benzie County Road Commission in Honor
What: Strawberry shortcake, ice cream, lemonade, and ice tea are served for a $5 donation to support the programs of the Benzie Area Historical Society. Social butterflies can also take a look at the equipment used to maintain Benzie County roads. Visit the Benzie Historical Societies Website or the Benzie County Chamber of Commerce for more information.

Benzonia/Beulah

Big Band Concert Fundraiser for the Benzie Area Zonta Club
When: June 27th at 7 pm
Where: Benzie Central High School Auditoruim
What: The Couriers from Ann Arbor will perform music in the “Big Band” style, with guest performers from the high school. True North will open the concert. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students. Call Kath at 231-383-2434 for more information.

Beulah Boosters’ Family Bike and Picnic Day
When: June 28th, from 9:30 am to 11am Lunch and activities from 11am to noon.
Where: Beulah Downtown Park
What: Bike the trail with family, then enjoy children’s activities and the “Taste of Beulah” lunch afterwards. Musical entertainment will be on hand. This event is sponsored by the Village of Beulah Boosters Club. Call 231-882-4457 for more information.

Wheels 4 Wellness Bike Ride

When: June 27th, starting at 9:30 am.
Where: The Beulah Village Park
What: A scenic and leisurely bike ride around Crystal Lake with the intention of helping programs and organizations such as the Benzie Human Services Collaborative provide food, clothing and emergency services like heating and transportation. Registration is $40 per pair of riders, $25 for a single rider and $50 for a family. Visit www.endomanpromotions.com/events/wheels4wellness.php for more information.

Onekema

Michigan Energy Fair
When: June 26th, 27th, and 28th. Events start at 12 pm Friday and 8-9 Saturday & Sunday
Where: Manistee County Fairgrounds
What: Created by the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association, the Michigan Energy Fair brings together exhibitors and keynote speakers to educate people about renewable energy technologies. Keynote speakers this year include Lt. Governor John D. Cherry, State Representative Dan Scripps and Scott T. Harrison, CEO of Azure Dynamics. The 3-day fair also includes live music, barbecues, banquets, workshops, children’s games and much more. Visit the Michigan Energy Fair website for more information and a full schedule.

Empire

Free programs offered by the Park Service

 rangerhike When: Saturday, June 27th, at 1 p.m.
Where: Heart Visitor Center in Empire
What: Each Saturday afternoon in June, the National Park Service offers free programs to help park visitors explore the area. This Saturday, the NPS has scheduled a walking tour of the lakeshore. Learn about the workings of a beach ecosystem as you explore the Lake Michigan’s sand and surf. Visit Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore’s official website for more information.


EVENT LISTING

Betsiebay.net features Frankfort Artists this Friday at American Legion Hall

Art Show

Mythic Michigan Studio and BetsieBay.net present the work of three Frankfort artists, 2-9 p.m., Friday, June 26 at the American Legion Hall, 206 Main St., downtown Frankfort. The event also will feature a free wine tasting by Krolczyk Cellars of Freesoil, 6-8 p.m.

Ken Lake operates Mythic Michigan Studio and Custom Framing. He began creating detailed pen and ink drawings at an early age and received a B.A. in studio art with a concentration in ceramics from Michigan State University. At Lansing Community College, he learned to airbrush in the graphic arts program, but immediately applied this new tool to his paintings.

Lake also worked in the jewelry field in Boise, Idaho, crafting hundreds of originals waxes. He still works in a variety of media, and this show will feature new airbrush paintings, pen and inks and pastels, as well as cards, magnets, and prints of some of his most popular work.

One of Lake’s favorite mottos, “more art for more people,” is reflected in his volunteerism and his work as an instructor at the Crystal Lake Art Center, including in their Mosaic Dance and Art Residency, which serves every third grader in Benzie County. His enthusiasm for encouraging other artists led to this show.

Eliza Forrest also is a multi-talented artist. She graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy and studied art at Kalamazoo College and in Greece and Italy. She is an essential member of the staff at the Crystal Lake Art Center and also is a member of the Mosaic team, working primarily in the dance portion of the residency, but able to help out with art when needed and organizing much of the administrative portion of the project.

Forrest also organizes the plein air group at the Art Center. She will be showing oils and pastels, focusing on northern Michigan Landscapes.

Jack Muehlmann is an accomplished artist working primarily in watercolor, pen and ink and pencil. He studied art at the Meinzinger Art School. After many years with art on the back burner, he retired from the conventional working world. “My artistic spirit was released much like the genie from the lamp, and I have avoided any prolonged serious thought since then,” he stated.

He has been a board member of the Crystal Lake Art Center for many years, having served as treasurer in the past. Muehlmann is organizer of and a regular participant in Open Studio at the Art Center. This vibrant group of artists working in a variety of media has been getting together every Wednesday for many years. Open Studio is open to any artist interested in bringing their own supplies to work in the Art Center’s space, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Wednesdays year-round.

Be sure to stop by Friday Night Burgers downstairs at the Legion Hall. A burger and chips are available for just $4, 5:30-8:30 p.m. The show also will feature a wine tasting by Krolczyk Cellars, which is located in Freesoil between Manistee and Ludington. Owner and winemaker Dan Krolczyk and Joni Smoker launched the winery in 2005. In addition to Mythic Michigan Studio, this event is sponsored by BetsieBay.net, our own outdoor recreation and area information Website for Michigan’s northwest shore.


EVENT LISTING

Fun For Under $20

cherrybowl

The best of times are free and easy in Northern Michigan
By Danielle Horvath
For around 20 bucks or less, you can go back in time for that all-American summer date at Cherry Bowl Drive-In, just east of Honor. One of only a handful of drive in movie theaters left in the US, the Cherry Bowl is celebrating its 56th year and boasts all the nostalgia you’d expect, including an occasional Elvis sighting! Since it is family-run, movies are in the PG-13 range, they change weekly, open April – September, show starts at dusk, call ahead for the latest line up. 231-325-3413.



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    Explore photos of Frankfort, Manistee, The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and along the Lake Michigan shore in the BetsieBay.net group on Flickr (view full screen!)