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Benzie Information on: Lodging

Fall Color on M-22

The new m22colortour.com web site hopes to cooperatively market M-22. A feature in the Traverse City Record-Eagle relates that Rand McNally recently rated the scenic route as one of the five greatest driving tours in America and that the M-22 Color Tour is a collaborative effort of the visitors bureaus in Benzie, Manistee  and the Sleeping Bear Dunes.

“In addition to the color tour, Benzie County offers a wonderful fall festival spread over the first two weekends in October, giving people another reason to make the short drive to our area,” said Steve Campbell, owner of the Harbor Lights Resort in Frankfort, whose resort is poised for a solid fall season following a solid summer. “Bringing more attention to this region through promotion and special events will only help our business and the many other businesses that rely on tourism.”

…one appeal of the M-22 Color Tour is that it’s a one-tank trip for many in Michigan and across the Midwest. That makes it an appealing day trip or weekend getaway for those who want to savor autumnal beauty.

It certainly is a gorgeous route, as you can see from the photos in the Michigan Highway M-22 Group on Flickr – here’s a slideshow for “fall” from the group which will grow as the color proceeds.

photo courtesy m22colortour.com

Benzie County Fallfest October 4-5 & 11-12

Here’s a feature from Absolute Michigan!

Benzie County Coastal Color by John Clement Howe
Benzie County Coastal Color by John Clement Howe

The annual Fall Festival offers two weeks of fun in Frankfort, Beulah, Benzonia and the surrounding area. The Benzie County Visitor’s Bureau has a page of information on the festival and for more details visit the Frankfort-Elberta Chamber.

Weekend of October 4-5

Fall food takes center stage with the Fall Soup Contest on Saturday (Oct 4) in Beulah Park and the Honor Lions Club Hillbilly Breakfast from 8:00 – 12:30 and Darcy Memorial Library of Beulah Cookie Bake Sale at the Trailhead in Beulah. 10am -2pm on Sunday (Oct 5).

There’s also a Sidewalk Art Contest and a Fall Market in Beulah on Saturday and the Crystal Lake Elementary FallFest Fundraiser in Benzonia on Saturday with a full lineup of fun for families including a produce & products market, cider press, carnival with prizes, food, refreshments, petting zoo and fire truck rides.

Crystal Mountain offers scenic chairlift rides to view the fall colors (4-6 PM both Saturday the 5th & 12th) and a haunted forest (6:30-9:30 PM) on Saturday and then hosts the Betsie Valley Run on Sunday with a 10K Run and Half Marathon Walk & Run.

Trick or Treat!!! by John Clement Howe
Trick or Treat!!! by John Clement Howe

Weekend of October 11-12

At 11 AM on Saturday, October 11 2008, the Fall Festival Parade and Mutt March will take place in downtown Frankfort (costume judging for the Mutts is at 10 AM). Other events following the parade include a Pumpkin luncheon at the Recreation Center, performances by the internationally acclaimed Scottville Clown Band and a ton of fall fun at the Open Space including:

  • Giant Pumpkin weigh-in (guess the weight and win a bike!)
  • Mutt Corral with awards and doggy fun
  • Giant Pumpkin Carving by Ed Moody and Auction
  • A hay wagon ride through Frankfort with a storyteller
  • The Pumpkin Regatta
  • Activities for kids including games, pumpkin decorating, face painting, balloon man, straw maze, fortune teller, pumpkin bowling and pumpkin hillbilly golf!

On Saturday a really cool feature is the Pumpkin Chuckin’ Catapults and the Giant Pumpkin Drop on a Car at 3:00 PM in Frankfort! Check out the video below to see what happens when a 500 lb. pumpkin is dropped on a vehicle from over 100 feet in the air.

The Journey to Fall … and maybe up north!

The Journey Home

The Journey Home, photo by powerbooktrance.

I’ve been watching the trees start their journey to fall color and though it would be a good time to share a fall photo. Terry has several more great ones in his Manistee, Michigan that you can see bigger in his slideshow (use the back & forward buttons to see more!)

Fall is also a great time to plan a vacation to the area – check in with the Benzie County Visitor’s Bureau!

Glider Ride: Soaring over Frankfort

In our latest video, Glider Ride, Ken takes a ride in a glider…

If you’d like to take your own ride in a glider, check out the Northwest Soaring Club, who say:

If you are new to the sport and simply looking for the ride of a lifetime, come and take an introductory flight with one of our experienced pilots. You will experience first hand the quite wonder of seemingly motionless flight while sitting above some of the most glorious countryside in the Midwest. With Lake Michigan to the west, the cities of Frankfort and Elberta surrounding the historic Betsie Bay, and the many crystal clear inland lakes you will find the sport of soaring as enchanting as it is exciting. Prices begin at $55 to join our club for a day and taking an introductory flight.

The Wind Riders by Bob Downes in the Northern Express has a great look at soaring in the Frankfort area – from history to and modern day.

Sunset on Point Betsie … and Summer 2008

Sunset at Point Betsie
Sunset at Point Betsie, photo by trekguy

Thankfully, there’s still a little bit more of summer as we all know that for much of September, the weather and water remain summery!


  • More Benzie County Information:
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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!)