Michigan is Debuting a New Kind of Festival
Michigan is welcoming a very unique festival to the Mitten this April. I mean, we already have nationally-recognized Michigan festivals, such as the Traverse City Cherry Festival and Holland Tulip…
Night sky landscape
Michigan is welcoming a very unique festival to the Mitten this April.
I mean, we already have nationally-recognized Michigan festivals, such as the Traverse City Cherry Festival and Holland Tulip Festival, as well as music festivals. But, this festival is unlike anything Michigan has seen.
Now, the state will be home to a festival for star enthusiasts. The newest International Dark Sky Park will host stargazers from around the country - even world - at the first Upper Peninsula Dark Sky Festival this April. The festival, hosted at the Keweenaw Dark Sky Park, welcomes skywatchers, astronomy enthusiasts and astrophotographers to enjoy two days of workshops on April 21 and 22, according to Visit Keweenaw. The dark sky park is located at the historic Keweenaw Mountain Lodge in Copper Harbor.
The Keweenaw Dark Sky Park got official recognition from the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) in July 2022, becoming Michigan's third international dark sky park and the first in the U.P. The event takes place during the IDA's International Dark Sky Week, which is April 22-30, an annual celebration of stargazing that raises awareness about the impacts of light pollution and why dark night skies are so critical for humans, wildlife and ecosystems. Find additional event information and a full schedule for the event online here. For more on Keweenaw Dark Sky Park, head to keweenawdarksky.com.
I'm so ready for spring. Actually, right after the holidays wrap up and January hits, I'm always ready for it to just fast-forward to spring.
Spring is a beautiful season in Michigan. Read on for 10 things we love about spring in Michigan! I highly recommend getting out there and enjoying the season!
(Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)June means it's time to make things like strawberry shortcake and strawberry pie.
Strawberry
Go bird watching
Spring is my favorite season to bird watch. It seems the birds with the most vibrant colors come out in the spring! (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Head to a garden
Gardens are blooming in the spring, and Michigan has some great botanical ones! The Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is a favorite. I, personally, love all of MSU's gardens. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)
Go on a hike
Michigan has plenty of fantastic hiking trails, and spring is the perfect time to put on your walking shoes and venture on one of them. It's a great way to enjoy nature. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Eat ice cream
Okay. I endorse eating ice cream every season, but it's especially tasty in the spring, when the cold of winter has lifted. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Run a race
Spring is a great time to hop on the marathon bandwagon! Michigan has plenty of great marathons that happen in the spring, as well as throughout the year, such as the Martian Invasion of Races in Dearborn; the Wheatlake Festival of Races in Big Rapids; and more. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Go to a farmer's market
Nothing beats a farmer's market in the spring, enjoying Michigan-grown produce and other local goodies. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Go to Mackinac Island's Grand Hotel
After a cold winter, Michigan's famed Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island opens for the season in April. Always a great trip! (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Taste wine
Wine tasting is fun any season, but it's especially enjoyable when the snow has lifted and Michigan vineyards are opening up again. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Go golfing
Mandatory Credit: Stephen Munday /AllsportDust of those gold clubs and ring in spring in Michigan at one of the state's beautiful golf courses! Mandatory Credit: Stephen Munday /Allsport
Sit on your porch
During the winter, sitting on your porch can be, er, a not very fun experience. One of the best things to do when it gets warm in Michigan is to just sit on the porch for a while and enjoy not freezing! (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Go to a flower festival
Michigan has lots of great flower festivals, such as Wineries of the Old Mission Peninsula Blossom Day and the Holland Tulip Festival. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
Take a scenic bike ride
Michigan has tons of great bike paths and trails to enjoy when the weather gets warm. So scenic! (Photo by Harry Engels/Getty Images for Ironman)
Go to a water park
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Check out the wildflowers
I love wildflowers! In fact, I'm planning to plant a bunch this year, so long as the deer don't get in the way. Michigan has some great places to spot wildflowers, such as the Loda Lake National Wildflower Sanctuary in the Baldwin are and the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore around Traverse City. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
