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.