S’more…Meteors! Posted March 27, 2020 Welcome to the biggest event of the month…meteor showers! Watch meteors, learn about constellations, and enjoy s’mores at Mackinac Island’s highest point – Fort Holmes! Meet at the Fort Mackinac Avenue of Flags for a solar light-guided hike to Fort Holmes with a park ranger. This is a Mackinac Parks: 125 free event!
Island History Series: Archaeology on Mackinac Island Posted March 27, 2020 Archaeological excavations have been carried out around Mackinac Island since the 1960s, including sites on Custer Road, Wawashkamo Golf Club, and Fort Mackinac. Join Mackinac State Historic Parks Curator of Archaeology Dr. Lynn Evans as she explores the archaeological history of Mackinac Island. The presentation will take place in the Station 256 Conference Room, located above the Mackinac Island State Park Visitor’s Center. This is a free Mackinac Parks: 125 event!
Virtual Artist-in-Residence Workshop with Artist Jane Kramer Posted March 27, 2020 Since 2013, Kramer has been working on a body of work titled Foreshadowing – Endangered & Threatened Plant Species. For this project, she has photographed the shadows of Michigan’s endangered and threatened plant species and, using an alcohol gel process, transfer the shadow images onto paper she makes from invasive plant species such as garlic mustard and phragmites. Kramer has photographed the shadows of over fifty endangered and threatened plant species in Michigan and experimented with making paper from fourteen invasive plant species. Through her slideshow presentation, she will cover the process of: 1) responsibly collecting non-native, invasive plant species, 2) turning plant biomass into pulp and paper, 3) photographing the shadows of threatened and endangered plant species, and 4) transferring photographic images onto hand-made paper using an alcohol gel transfer. She will also do a live demonstration of an alcohol gel transfer following the presentation. This is a virtual presentation held via Zoom – see below for details. This is a free Mackinac Parks: 125 event! Join by Zoom at the following link: https://msu.zoom.us/j/92904425830 Meeting ID: 929 0442 5830
Mackinac Island State Park Commission Meeting Posted March 27, 2020 The Mackinac Island State Park Commission will meet via Zoom due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Click here for the meeting notice. Click here for the agenda. Click here for the meeting packet.
Vintage Base Ball Posted March 27, 2020 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 enjoy a good old-fashioned rivalry! We welcome back the Portland Blue Sox for the 2023 match! Sponsored by Mary’s Bistro and Draught House. Admission by donation. #thisismackinac
Music in the Park, presented by Mackinac Arts Council Posted March 26, 2020 From the Arts Council: “With a spectacular backdrop, our summer concert series takes place on the lawn of a National Historic Landmark, Marquette Park, which is at the foothills of Historic Fort Mackinac downtown across from the marina. Bring a picnic and tune in for some great live folk, rock, country, blues—the best of Americana. All concerts are free. We recommend bringing a blanket or lawn chairs for your comfort.” Schedule of artists: August 6 – Brian Thomas August 13 – Wixie Harrington August 20 – Finkel August 27 – Gabi Bowditch September 3 – Mary McGuire & Barbara Payton
Island History Series: View from the Veranda – History and Architecture of Mackinac Island’s Summer Cottages Posted March 26, 2020 Join Mackinac State Historic Parks’ Director Phil Porter for an inside look at the grand cottages of this uniquely Victorian island. During this presentation Porter will contrast fascinating historic photos of the cottages with modern portraits to describe the development, architecture and daily like of the summer cottage communities on Mackinac Island. Presented in the Station 256 Conference Room above the Mackinac Island State Park Visitor’s Center. This is a free Mackinac Parks: 125 event!
Mackinac Associates Red, White & Blue Celebration Posted March 26, 2020 An annual private Independence Day reception for members of Mackinac Associates. Head to the Mackinac Associates website for information on how to join.
A Star Spangled Fourth of July Posted March 26, 2020 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 and children’s games. Guests join the party and participate in games on the fort parade ground. Don’t miss out on this all 1880s Independence Day as we have catch and baseball available on the parade ground to go along with foot races and sack races, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, the raising of the colors, the national salute (38 rifle blasts for the 38 states of the 1880s!), a cannon salute, and much more! Games will be available on the parade ground beginning at 1:30 p.m. Special programming will take place at 2:00 p.m. The Tea Room Restaurant, operated by Grand Hotel, is open all day serving snacks, sweets, and beverages, and will have full lunch service from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. All special programming is included with regular admission to Fort Mackinac. #thisismackinac
Fire at Night – Fort Mackinac Rifles and Cannon Posted March 26, 2020 See the flash of the fire when Fort Mackinac has rifle and cannon firings in the evening. Sunsets from Fort Mackinac are truly spectacular, and what better way to watch the sun set over the Mackinac Bridge than a celebratory cannon shot to go with it. A free Mackinac Parks: 125 event!
