Mackinaw City, Mich. - Recession-proof your vacation with Mackinac State Historic Parks. The recently released Mackinac State Historic Parks’ 2009 calendar of events showcases educational, family-fun activities at great prices, making the family vacation an affordable opportunity once again. Combine these events with combination and family tickets or the many Mackinac area vacation packages, and—despite the recession—you’ll enjoy a valuable, adventure-filled weekend away with the entire family.
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Mackinac State Historic Parks offers many events throughout the season that allow the entire family to experience history and explore nature. Colonial Kids’ Day, new in 2009, will be held from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on June 27, July 15, and August 22 at Colonial Michilimackinac—a reconstructed 1770’s fort and fur trading village—in Mackinaw City. Children can participate in games, open hearth cooking, and 18th-century crafts, dress in historical costumes, and experience many other thrilling activities. The walking tour will be specially tailored to children. “Colonial Kids’ Day” is included with fort admission. There is no admission or special event cost for children 4 and under.
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Activities and exhibits for children abound at the park on an everyday-basis. This year children can also experience the new Kids’ Rendezvous Interpretive Playground, currently under construction at the park and set to be completed by mid-June. The first phase of construction will include a 36-foot diameter ground map of the Great Lakes, a miniature fort palisade and cannon, multiple climbing structures that explore the route of the fur traders, and canoe seating. All interpretive elements within the playground will relate to the route of the French fur traders. The interpretive playground also includes an audio system with “historical” sounds, introductory panels, a hands-on fur-press, and a “scavenger hunt” learning activity.
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On July 18, families can enjoy the Vintage Base Ball Game behind Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island. This is a vintage game of “base ball” as it was meant to be played, barehanded and by gentlemen’s rules. Learn an old-fashioned cheer, watch players get fined for smoking cigars, and enjoy an old-fashioned rivalry. The game pits the Fort Mackinac Never Sweats against the Rochester Grangers. The cost is $3.00 for youth (ages 5-17), $5.00 for adults, and $15.00 for families.
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The Benjamin Blacksmith Convention is one of many fascinating August events. Held from 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. outside the Benjamin Blacksmith Shop on Mackinac Island, the convention features more than a dozen regional blacksmiths displaying traditional blacksmith tools and techniques as they create art and work on a public project. This event is free with admission to Mackinac State Historic Parks’ five Mackinac Island historic downtown buildings.
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The “Digging History” event at Colonial Michilimackinac, held from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on August 4, is a must-do for young aspiring archaeologists and the genuinely curious. By purchasing a timed ticket, families are allowed to screen and search for real artifacts, just as professional archaeologists have been doing at this site for 50 years. The timed tickets are priced at $6.00 for youth (ages 5-17), $10.00 for adults, or $30.00 for the entire family. The tickets also include admission to the fort and all of its buildings and exhibits.
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In September, don’t miss the Michigan 16th Infantry Civil War Re-enactors encampment at Fort Mackinac. This group of civil war reenacters will bring Mackinac Island’s Civil War history to life from 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on September 12 and 13. Dozens of men and women will dress in the fashions of the 1860s and will join Fort Mackinac interpreters at the fort to give rifle firing and drill demonstrations. At 1:00 p.m. on both days, enjoy a ladies Civil War-era fashion show. This event is included with Fort Mackinac admission.
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Experience Colonial Michilimackinac at night during the Fort Fright event, held from 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on October 9 and 10. French voyageurs tell eerie tales by campfire as you pass down the trail of lantern lights. Werewolves howl over the palisaded fort as you enter the gate patrolled by skeleton redcoats. Get goodies from colonial fireplaces, hear spooky stories, and enjoy 18th-century live music. If you’re a brave soul, enter the haunted row house. The price is $3.00 for youth (ages 5-17), $6.00 for adults, and $18.00 for families. |
A number of combination tickets are available to create an even more affordable vacation. Purchase a Mackinac Associates “Heritage Level” membership for $65.00, and the entire family, which includes all children and grandchildren 17 and under, will enjoy unlimited admission to all Mackinac State Historic Parks sites. Contact Diane Dombroski via email or call (231) 436-4100 for more information. In addition, Mackinac area vacation packages combine Mackinac State Historic Parks attractions with other area attractions and ferryboat tickets to and from Mackinac Island.
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