Arriving Tuesday afternoon in downtown Traverse City, the shops and restaurants were already buzzing with business. The streets were alive with a playful spirit, filled with children and families enjoying Tuesday night's festivities, participants of the 5th Annual Traverse City Film Festival. Oscar-winner and Festival creator, Michael Moore, infused the listeners with his passion and commitment for the event and the people who make it happen, year after year. A thick crowd gathered to celebrate the beginning of this year's festival and to see Traverse City's own Rich Brauer receive the 2009 Michigan Filmmaker's Award.

The evening evoked an ambiance as potent as votive candles warming a dinner party and transformed a charming little affair – a night at the theater – into a night of magic. Bold red letters hung on the marquee; a stage was set in lights; the streets were busy with shuttering cameras and ticket clad tourists. Separated by only a city block, a stunning foreign film, Troubled Water, explored themes of forgiveness and redemption. The film was screened for two theaters filled perfectly full. Concluding the shows, a question and answer session occurred with the film's director who had traveled from Norway to present and speak.

Shop keepers and locals were embracing the opportunity to participate in Tuesday's Festival events, which drew attendance from far and wide. The Festival films this season span a wide range of topics, but those passionate about supporting local communities, independent films and the visual arts, were naturally drawn to the scene. Northern Michigan residents hungry for "big city" culture to satiate quaint "little city" life, praised the event. Many young people stationed in the area found an oasis for their creative inclinations. Others simply love film and devour the opportunity to participate in the screenings of documentaries, obscure films, classic, political, and comedic films–just some of the genres represented throughout the week. Along with panel events, lectures, and free family films, the calender of any attendee could be completely filled!

Driving home I noticed Will Smith's head–the size of a truck–looming against the backdrop of night sky, as adventurous viewers reclined at the Open Space to entertain aliens for a night by the Bay. Though I could not see the audience, I imagined children and parents snuggled up beneath the stars, feeling a warm breeze off the lake, their hearts filled with laughter. Who could resist a night so fine?

Explore many more photos, videos, blog posts and tweets from the 2009 Traverse City Film Festival and also check out Absolute Michigan: On Location at the Traverse City Film Festival.

Frankfort Farmers Market
When: July 25th from 9 am to 1 pm
Where: Open Space Park
What: An assortment of area growers and crafters sell their wares in a traditional farmers market setting. A variety of locally grown produce, meats and hand-crafted food products will be available for purchase. The market also offers gluten-free foods, along with herbal soaps and salves.

Frankfort Street Sale
When: July 25th, starting at 9 am.
Where: Downtown Frankfort
What: Downtown businesses host a special sale. Discounted and special items are featured in special displays on the city streets.

Concert in the Park, feat Cherri and the Violators
When: July 24th at 7 pm
Where: Mineral Springs Park
What: Rock and Blues band, Cherri and the Violators put on a free show in Frankfort’s Mineral Springs Park. Bring a blanket or a chair and enjoy some music on picturesque Betsie Bay.

Beulah

Music in the Park feat Ryan Harcourt
When: July 23rd at 7 pm
Where: Beulah Park
What: Free concert in Beulah Park, featuring Ryan Harcourt. Enjoy some classic rock and a few oldies in sight of beautiful Crystal Lake.

Thompsonville

Michigan Legacy Art Park Summer Series 2009, feat Tumbao Bravo
When: July 24th at 7 pm
Where: Crystal Mountain Spa and Resort
What: Five-piece Cuban jazz band, featuring the sounds of many different instruments will be performing at Legacy Art Park.

Arcadia

Arcadia Daze
When: July 24th and 25th, with events starting at 4 pm Fri and ending 5 pm Sun.
Where: Arcadia
What: Annual festival featuring arts and crafts, an auto show, a 5k race, kids games and fishing, pioneer reenactment, a parade, refreshments, nightly entertainment and much more. For more information, visit www.arcadiatwpmi.org.

Manistee

Manistee Salmon Splash 2009
When: July 21st through the 26th,
Where: Manistee
What: Catch the weekend portion of the week-long Salmon Splash fishing tournament. Anglers from across the state (and beyond) compete in a variety of events, all in hopes of wining cash prizes and accumulating points for the Tournament Trail series of tournaments. Manistee hosts a variety of events for spectators as well, including a sand castle contest, kid’s fishing carnivals on the historic S.S. Milwaukee, refreshments and entertainment. Visit www.visitmanistee.com/tournament-week.com for a complete schedule and more information.

Thompsonville

Summer Sounds 209 series at Michigan Legacy Art Park, feat David Chow and the Lookout CatsWhen: July 17th at 6:30 pm
Where: Legacy Art Park at Crystal Mountain Spa and Resort
What: David Chown and the Lookout Cats perform a range of styles from jazz to rock. Concert will be held at the Jessie Frohlich Amphitheater. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children. A $20 family price is also offered.

Frankfort

Concert in the Park featuring Steven D & the Keys
When: July 17th at 7 pm
Where: Mineral Springs Park
What: Free concert featuring Steven D & the Keys

Farmers Market
When: July 18th, from 9 am to 1 pm
Where: Open Space Park
What: Local food producers from the surrounding counties bring their wares to sell in a traditional market setting. Goods range from produce to baked goods and other hand-crafted food items. Locally raised meats are also sold, including pork chops, bacon and emu. Soaps and herbal salves are also available.

Port City Run
When: July 18th. Registration starts at 8 am and the race/walk begins at 8:30 am.
Where: Open Space Park
What: Annual 5k race and fun run/walk along the picturesque Betsie Valley Trail along Betsie Bay. Proceeds go to the Frankfort Elberta Area High School track team and the Betsie Valley Trail.

Elberta

19th Annual Elberta Arts and Crafts Fair
When: July 18th
Where: Waterfront Park
What: An arts and crafts fair, featuring artists from across the state.

Empire (and elsewhere)

Free Weekend at Sleeping Bear Dunes & Other National Parks
When: July 18th and 19th.
Where: All national parks across the country
What: Entry fees will be waived at all national parks, courtesy of the National Park Service.

Kaleva

Kaleva Days
When July 17th through the 19th.
Where: Kaleva
What: A series of events taking place in Kaleva over the weekend, including a 5k walk/run, car show, motorcycle poker run, trolly tours, a parade and much more. Check out the full schedule at www.kalevami.com/calendar/calendar_day/6880392/2009-7-17.htm.

By Danielle Horvath

For around $20 you can enjoy a Northern Michigan summer stroll down Main St. in the harbor town of Frankfort. Treat yourself to an ice cream cone from Kilwin’s or splurge and get fudge. Then meander down the street to watch the sunset on the pier overlooking Lake Michigan. Summer doesn’t get any better than this!

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

Celebration 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.