Photo by JBnuthatch

Northwest Michigan comes alive this weekend with a host of activities celebrating the start of the long awaited summer season.
By Colin Merry

Frankfort

Spring into Summer Sale
When: Friday, June 19th, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Downtown Frankfort
What: The Spring into Summer Sale is an annual pre-weekend sale in which participating downtown area businesses offer special sales and stay open a bit later.

Frankfort Craft Fair
When: Saturday, June 20th
Where: Market Spare Park
What: The Frankfort Craft Fair features artists and craftspeople from across Michigan and neighboring states, who gather in Markets Square Park to offer visitors unique gifts not readily available elsewhere.
“The art fair is a very popular event to open the summer season with,” said Joanne Bartley, executive director of the Frankfort Chamber of Commerce “We usually have around 100 different artists setting up for the fair, but sometimes we have more.”
This year’s artists will bring with them craft fair favorites such as jewelry, clothing, pottery, wooden items, paintings, photography and unique yard art. According to Bartley, she is still in the process of registering artists and more are always welcome.
Refreshments will also be available on site though the Frankfort Lions Club. Other vendors may be offering treats as well.

Antique Vehicle and Muscle Car Show
When: Saturday, June 20th. Vehicle registration begins at 8a.m., judging begins at 11a.m.
Where: Mineral Springs Park
What: Classic and contemporary car buffs gather to show off their cherished vehicles to spectators and other car aficionados. Participants can simply display their car or enter to have their contribution judged by other participants.
Plaques will be awarded for the best vehicles in 14 different categories as well as for best in show, best interior and Mason’s choice. The first 100 registered vehicles will also receive dash plaques and children can enter into a special Kid’s Special category for powered, pushed pulled and pedaled vehicles.
Local band Reunion will be performing during the car show and the lodge will be serving hot dogs and snack foods. The car show is free, but to show a vehicle and enter to win prizes, a registration fee of $10 will be collected.

Frankfort Farmer’s Market
When: Saturday, June 20th, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bread demonstrations start at 10 a.m.
Where: Open Space Park
What: Local growers and food producers offer a variety of vegetables, meats and natural food products in a traditional farmers market setting. This week, the market features a special “Bring on the Bread” theme, and talented bread makers will offer a selection of whole grain, whole wheat, white, sourdough, sweet and naturally leaven breads to sample and purchase. Starting at 10 a.m. in the Frankfort Recreation Center, Crescent Bakery will offer bread classes on topics such as bread starters and sweet dough.

Stand-up Paddle and Surf Demo, with Pulled Pork BBQ
When: Sunday, June 21st ,from 12p.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Crystal Lake Adventure Sports in downtown Frankfort, Frankfort Beach
What: Surftech representatives will be demonstrating a number of surf boards and techniques, as well as the new up-and coming sport, stand-up paddling, at the beach in Frankfort. Stand-up paddling has been growing in popularity over the past several years, and has been feature in such magazines as TIME and People. Curious spectators are encouraged to try either sport. Stop by Crystal Lake Adventure Sports and sign up to try your hand at surfing/paddling, or simply brows the stores selection of sports equipment and enjoy the free BBQ

Elberta

Summer Solstice Festival 2009
When: Saturday, June 20th, Events begin at 10 a.m. with new activities taking place all day
Where: Waterfront Park
What: A popular festival celebrating the start of summer returns again for another year, bringing with it a variety of activities for all ages and tastes. Activities range from live music, special presentations, tons of children’s games, and fireworks. Restaurants from all over Benzie will be on hand to provide a variety of local delicacies and a beer garden will offer refreshing mico and macro brews, as well as several wine selections. Musical guests include Ann Arbor sensation Rootstand, as well as local favorites such as Clearwater, Rusted, Jake Frysinger and many, many more.
The event list for this festival is huge, so be sure to visit the Summer Solstice Festival’s website for a complete listing of events.

Empire

International Surfing Day Celebration and Beach Cleanup
When: Saturday, June 20th. Cleanup is at 10 a.m., Demonstrations being at 12 p.m.
Where: Empire Public Beach
What: To celebrate International Surfing Day, Sleeping Bear Surf & Kayak invites environmentally conscious individuals to participate in a beach clean-up starting at 10 a.m. on Empire Public Beach. Surf and paddle-board demonstrations start at 12 p.m., with a C4 Waterman representative showing off the latest boards and sharing surfing knowledge. Current Designs will be showcasing kayaks as well. Ice cream and cake will be available for all participants. Visit Sleeping Bear Surf and Kayak’s website for more information.

“Saturdays At The Lakeshore” Free programs offered by the Park Service
When: Saturday, June 20th, 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, a walking-tour of the historic village of Glen Haven will tell the story of a historic steamboat stop that operated from 1865 to 1931. Visit Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore’s website for more information.

Brethren

Spirit of the Woods Folk Festival
When: Saturday, June 20th. Music starts at 12 p.m.
Where: Dickson Township Park
What: A festival featuring a gathering of folk artists for a full day of music on two stages. Bands appearing this year include Bill Bynum and Company, Jo Serrapere and the Willie Dunns, The Motor City Sidestrokers, Sister Wilene and The Nephews. Children’s games will take place all day and vendors will be on hand to supply food. This year’s event-closing square dance will feature a Cajun theme. For more information, visit the Spirit of The Woods website.

Leelanau County

The M-22 Challenge
When: Saturday, Registration on June 18/19thth, event on June 20th.
Where: Leelanau County. Registration is at the M22 store in downtown Traverse City
What: A multi-discipline event featuring a 17 mile bike race, dune climb, and kayak race. Inspired by the beautiful landscape of Leelanau County and the breathtaking route, M-22, local entrepreneurs Keegan and Matt Meyers created a triathlon event to share the area with others. The event will begin with a 17 mile bike race, followed by a running course taking participants up the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes. The event is concluded with athletes paddling a preset course through Glen Lake. For information on registration and the event itself, please visit the M-22 Challenge website.

By Danielle Horvath

If it’s summer – it must be festival time in northern Michigan. There’s something for everyone at these family friendly-events, from down-home parades on Main St., to fireworks over the water, to old fashioned BBQ’s in the park, to classic car shows and live entertainment. Here’s a snapshot of some up-coming summer fun.

- June –

Leland Wine & Food Festival – June 13, noon – 6 pm
They call it “lake effect,” the weather over Lake Michigan creates a unique climate and ideal region for wine production, and this annual event, now in it’s 24th year, celebrates the wines of the Grand Traverse area. Admission includes a souvenir glass and two tastes of wine. Additional wine and a variety of food is available from popular area restaurants. Bring your dancing shoes for live music with the Fabulous Horndogs.

Elberta Solstice Festival - June 20 – Elberta Waterfront Park
Celebrate the coming of summer at this popular community event, with live music from noon – 1 am, food and drink including beer tent, great activities for the kids including pony rides, fishing on Betsie Bay, alternative energy presentations, arts & crafts, dancing and fireworks at dark – it doesn’t get any better than this!

Spirit of the Woods Folk Festival – June 20 – Brethren
The event is in its 36th year and features folk, bluegrass, eclectic and old-time music from all over the Midwest. A free family festival and a day full of music on two stages, arts and crafts vendors, children’s activities, great food and a closing square dance. Music runs from noon to 9 pm. Check out more at spiritofthewoods.org

13th Annual Frankfort Spring Craft Fair – Market Square Park, Frankfort June 20th, 10 am – 5 pm
With over 100 booths of quality crafters & artists you are sure to find that perfect gift or item for your home or garden.  The fair is held in beautiful Market Square Park, just a few blocks from the downtown and Betsie Bay.  There is a variety of food on site and parking nearby.

Participating Chocolatiers

• Charles Layton Chocolates
• The Chocolate Den
• Chocolate Exotica
• Forest Confections
• Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate
• Jacques Torres Chocolate
• Kilwin’s Traverse City

Compatible Tastes (Coffee, Tea & Wine)

• Higher Grounds Trading Company
• Great Northern Roasting Company
• Great Lakes Tea and Spice
• Light of Day Organics
• Serenity Tea Bar and Café
• Bel Lago
• Black Star Farms
• Chateau Chantal
• Ciccone Vineyard & Winery
• Forty-Five North Vineyard and Winery
• Good Neighbor Organic Winery
• Leelanau Cellars
• Shady Lane Cellars
• Grand Traverse Distillery

Entertainment

• The Turtlenecks (Norm Wheeler and Mike Sullivan)
• Dane Pedersen – guitar
• Linda Davis – piano
• The Alderman Ensemble

As of March 14, 2009 the following fresh produce are available at the Frankfort Farmers Market: gourmet baby lettuce mix, mesclun salad greens, baby arugula, spinach, escarole, red onions, carrots, beets, kale, Swiss chard, herbs and bok choy, daikon radishes, tat soi mustard greens. You will also find local honey, maple syrup, jams, fresh eggs, freshly baked artisan bakery goods, gluten free baked goods, naturally cultured foods and much more. New additions; fresh goat cheese, micro greens, and Baker’s Green Acres free range chickens.

Calendar of Events

March 21 – Celebrate Spring: Love your Skin with a variety of local natural hand crafted soaps, lotions, creams and more, many from locally grown plants and herbs.

March 28 – Gourds and More; A large assortment of gourds crafted from many varieties, shapes and sizes. Crafted into ornaments, bowls, birdhouses and much more.

April 4 – Natural Resources Day: Learn about our natural resources and projects to sustain them. Learn how you can make a difference!

April 11 – Eggs – cellent: A variety of locally raised gourmet fresh eggs, including chicken, duck, emu and quail. Enjoy one of 2009′s hottest food trends. Beautifully decorated eggs on display.

April 18 – Maple Fest: Locally collected fresh maple syrup. Enjoy the harvest with fresh maple baked goods and candies. Pancakes served with fresh Maple Syrup.

The Frankfort Farmer’s Market is open “All Year Round” on Saturday mornings from 9 am to 1 pm, Indoors during November – April, at the Recreation Center 9th & Main Streets along the Waterfront. Interested vendors please call 231.882.5264. For more information please visit, frankfortfarmersmarket.org.

Photo: Windspun @ Frankfort Market by Andrew McFarlane