Special Events

February

Premiere - Mackinac: Our Famous Island

Thursday, February 28

The premiere of the documentary Mackinac: Our Famous Island, will be on Detroit Public Television at 8:00 p.m. Watch the trailer below:

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March

March Mackinac Island State Park Commission Meeting

Friday, March 1

The Mackinac Island State Park Commission meeting for March will be at the Blue Cross Blue Shield Lyon Meadows Conference Center in Wixom.

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Twilight Turtle Trek

Saturday, March 2

Mackinac Island Turtle Trek - A lantern-lit ski and snowshoeing trek through some of Mackinac Island's natural winter wonderland. The trail begins at Greaney Grove (corner of Arch Rock Road and Huron Road) with a bonfire and hot chocolate. The trail is groomed, track set, lit by lanterns and ...

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May

Colonial Michilimackinac Open for Season

Wednesday, May 1

Colonial Michilimackinac opens for the 2019 season on May 1 at 9:00 a.m.! Tickets on sale now at mackinacparks.com/mackinac-admission.

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The Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum Open for Season

Thursday, May 2

The Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum opens for the 2019 season on May 2, 2019! Tickets are available by clicking here.

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Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park Open for the Season

Friday, May 3

Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park opens for the 2019 season on May 3 at 9:00 a.m.! Tickets are available by clicking here.

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Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse Open for the Season

Friday, May 3

Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse opens for the 2019 season on May 3 at 9:00 a.m.! Tickets are available by clicking here.

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Residents Appreciation Day

Saturday, May 11

For residents of Mackinac, Cheboygan, or Emmet counties, for one weekend, we discount the admission prices for all of our sites to what they were when we first began operating our modern museum programs for the public in 1958. (.50 cents adults, .25 cents ...

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Fort2Fort Five Mile Challenge

Saturday, May 11

The second annual Fort2Fort Five Mile Challenge starts with a blast of the rifles at Fort Mackinac at 9:00 a.m. and passes all of the historic and natural wonders Mackinac Island State Park has to offer! This challenging but fun course takes runners by Arch Rock, the Mackinac Island Service Camp ...

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Residents Appreciation Day

Sunday, May 12

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May Mackinac Island State Park Commission Meeting

Friday, May 24

The Mackinac Island State Park Commission Board will meet in Mackinaw City at the St. Anthony's Reception and Conference Center.

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Michilimackinac Pageant

Saturday, May 25

Experience a reenactment of the 1763 Native American attack on the British-held fort as presented by a Mackinaw City community group. Admission to the pageant is free. Access to Colonial Michilimackinac requires the purchase of a regular admission ticket.

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Michilimackinac Pageant

Sunday, May 26

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Memorial Day Observance, Fort Mackinac Post Cemetery

Monday, May 27

A brief and informal Memorial Day observance to pay tribute to the soldiers who served at Fort Mackinac. Soldiers will assemble at 8:30 a.m. at Fort Mackinac, march to the cemetery, perform a short ceremony and salute, and return to the fort.

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Michilimackinac Pageant

Monday, May 27

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June

The King's Birth-day Celebration

Tuesday, June 4

An annual highlight for the British soldiers and civilians at Michilimackinac, King George III's official birthday on June 4 was marked by toasts, dinners and salutes. Join the interpretive staff at Michilimackinac as they celebrate this most British of holidays with artillery fire, drinks and ...

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Michigan Governor's Summer Residence Tours

Wednesday, June 5

Explore the Governor's Summer Residence on Mackinac Island each Wednesday from June 5 to August 28. Built in 1902 as a private summer cottage by Lawrence A. Young, it has served as the Governor's summer Residence since 1945. The residence was listed in the Michigan Register of Historic ...

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Historic Downtown Mackinac Open for Season

Saturday, June 8

Mackinac's 19^th-century fur trade community comes to life at the Biddle House, American Fur Company Store & Dr. Beaumont Museum, and the McGulpin House. See a blacksmith demonstrate his or her trade at the Benjamin Blacksmith Shop, cooking and craft demonstrations at Biddle House, ...

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Michigan Governor's Summer Residence Tours

Wednesday, June 12

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Lilac Festival Grand Parade

Sunday, June 16

Finish off the week of festivities from the Lilac Festival with the Grand Parade which will go down M-185 into downtown.

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Michigan Governor's Summer Residence Tours

Wednesday, June 19

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Mackinac Associates: G. Mennen Williams Celebration

Saturday, June 22

Mackinac Associates' annual G. Mennen Williams Celebration brings together lovers of Mackinac to recognize the outstanding support and effort of Mackinac State Historic Parks' friends group. This is a Members Only ...

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Civil War Reenactment Weekend

Saturday, June 22

The Multi-Lakes Association for Civil War Studies will be participating in events at Fort Mackinac the weekend of June 22-23, 2019. Every hour they will be part of a demonstration on the parade ground at the fort, and available for questions and information all day ...

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Civil War Reenactment Weekend

Sunday, June 23

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Michigan Governor's Summer Residence Tours

Wednesday, June 26

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Business After Hours at Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse

Wednesday, June 26

Hosted by the Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce. Join fellow business and community members for an evening of networking, food and beverage, and friendship.

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Rendezvous at the Straits: Voyageur Culture

Saturday, June 29

French-Canadian canoe men, known as voyageurs, were among the most colorful historic visitors to Michilimackinac. Try your hand at voyageur games, join in singing a rousing paddling song, and master the skills these hardy men needed to keep the Great Lakes fur trade moving.

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Rendezvous at the Straits: Voyageur Culture

Sunday, June 30

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July

Michigan Governor's Summer Residence Tours

Wednesday, July 3

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Star Spangled Fourth of July

Thursday, July 4

The historic island fort is decked out in patriotic finery with banners, flags and bunting. It is an 1880’s Independence Day, with 38-gun salutes honoring the states of the period, performances of patriotic music, and Victorian children’s games. Guests join the party and participate in ...

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An American Picnic

Thursday, July 4

Checkered red and white tablecloths spread on the grass of Fort Mackinac’s parade grounds create a patchwork quilt welcoming hungry patriots with Grand Hotel’s all-you-can-eat tangy BBQ baby back ribs, grilled chicken breasts, hamburgers, hot dogs, turkey burgers, corn on the cob, and a slew of ...

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Mackinac Associates Red, White & Blue Celebration

Thursday, July 4

An annual private Independence Day reception for members of Mackinac Associates. Head to the Mackinac Associates website for information on ...

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1812 Encampment at Forts Holmes and Mackinac

Saturday, July 6

Join historical reenactors for an 1812 weekend at Forts Holmes and Mackinac on Mackinac Island. More information to come.

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1812 Encampment at Forts Holmes and Mackinac

Sunday, July 7

Join historical reenactors for an 1812 weekend at Forts Holmes and Mackinac. More information to come.

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Michigan Governor's Summer Residence Tours

Wednesday, July 10

Explore the Governor's Summer Residence on Mackinac Island each Wednesday from June 7 to August 30. Built in 1902 as a private summer cottage by Lawrence A. Young, it has served as the Governor's summer Residence since 1945. The residence was listed in the Michigan Register of Historic ...

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Pastimes in Times Past: Fun and Games

Saturday, July 13

Even in the Great Lakes wilderness, the historic residents of Michilimackinac knew how to have a good time. As you explore the fort, stop and try your hand at games of skill and chance, sing a song, take tea with the neighbors, enjoy the latest news from London, or learn an 18th century dance.

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Pastimes in Times Past: Fun and Games

Sunday, July 14

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Michigan Governor's Summer Residence Tours

Wednesday, July 17

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Vintage Base Ball

Saturday, July 20

A vintage game of “base ball” as it was meant to be played, barehanded and by gentlemen’s rules on the old Fort Mackinac ball field behind Fort Mackinac, the oldest continually used ball field in Michigan! Learn an old-fashioned cheer, watch players fined for smoking cigars on the field, and ...

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Michigan Governor's Summer Residence Tours

Wednesday, July 24

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July Mackinac Island State Park Commission Meeting

Friday, July 26

The Mackinac Island State Park Commission will meet at the Mackinac State Historic Parks Post Hospital Administrative Office Board Room on Mackinac Island.

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Michigan Governor's Summer Residence Tours

Wednesday, July 31

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August

Michigan Governor's Summer Residence Tours

Wednesday, August 7

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Gardens and Good Things to Eat

Saturday, August 10

Everyone loves a good meal, including the historic residents of Michilimackinac! Join historic interpreters to tour and help maintain the fort's gardens, assist with running the outdoor bread oven (and taste the results!), watch meals cooked over an open fire, and learn more about the unique food ...

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Gardens and Good Things to Eat

Sunday, August 11

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Michigan Governor's Summer Residence Tours

Wednesday, August 14

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Mackinac Associates Annual Meeting

Sunday, August 18

Mackinac Associates, the friends group for Mackinac State Historic Parks, will host their annual meeting at Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park. This is a private event for Mackinac Associates members. For information on ...

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Michigan Governor's Summer Residence Tours

Wednesday, August 21

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Michigan Governor's Summer Residence Tours

Wednesday, August 28

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September

Michilimackinac at Work: Labor and Trades

Saturday, September 14

Michilimackinac was a hardworking community in the 18^th century. Voyageurs, blacksmiths, laundresses, clerks, and soldiers all plied their trades at the fort, employing both skilled and unskilled labor. Join the interpretive staff as they demonstrate a variety of tasks that made up the ...

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Michilimackinac at Work: Labor and Trades

Sunday, September 15

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September Mackinac Island State Park Commission Meeting

Friday, September 27

The Mackinac Island State Park Commission will meet at a location TBD on Mackinac Island.

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October

Fort Fright

Friday, October 4

Lanterns light your way through an 18th-century fort and fur trading village overrun by werewolves, witches, goblins and ghouls. Storytellers weave spooky folktales near bonfires and treats such as hot mulled cider, cookies and candy can be found throughout the site. Most stops are suitable for all ...

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Fort Fright

Saturday, October 5

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