A Colonial Christmas Posted December 11, 2021 Join us at Colonial Michilimackinac for a taste of the holidays in the 18th century. From the first Christmas services in Mackinac recorded by Jesuits to later British and French-Canadian traditions, the Colonial Christmas at Michilimackinac gives visitors the rare chance to step inside the fort during the winter months to experience how people celebrated the holidays over two centuries ago. Festive treats, stories, and music, as well as hot drinks and crackling fires on the hearths, will be scattered around the candle-lit site for you to explore and enjoy. We hope you’ll join us for the Colonial Christmas at Michilimackinac! #thisismackinac
Fort Fright Posted October 9, 2021 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 ages, but a haunted house, demon walk and werewolf walk will give thrills and chills to adults and children alike. Join us for the Fort Fright Frolic, a special ticketed event at the Commanding Officer’s House. Tickets will be available online soon. Last admission at 8:30 both nights.
Fort Fright Posted October 8, 2021 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 ages, but a haunted house, demon walk and werewolf walk will give thrills and chills to adults and children alike. Join us for the Fort Fright Frolic, a special ticketed event at the Commanding Officer’s House. Tickets will be available online soon. Last admission at 8:30 both nights.
Mackinac Island State Park Commission Meeting Posted September 24, 2021 A regular meeting of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission to be held at the Post Hospital Board Room on Mackinac Island.
Artist-in-Residence Workshop with Printmaker Nicholas Hill Posted September 22, 2021 2017 Guggenheim Fellow Nicholas Hill will use a small printing press to create printing plates based upon on-sight drawings that he’s created at various sites on the island. His printmaking processes are environmentally-friendly and water-based. He also looks forward to open studio sessions where visitors can come to his studio to see the printing process as he would use hand-made papers and demonstrate a variety of printing techniques with each plate. The press is small enough and portable and he plans to offer these demonstrations at other sites or even out-of-doors in good weather. Printmaking history is rich and complements the historical periods of the history of the island, so he plans to share these parallel histories during his demonstrations. The primary demonstration will take place at the Station 256 Conference Room, located above the Mackinac Island State Park Visitor’s Center. The entrance is located to the rear of the building. Admission to all events are free.
Let’s Talk Dirt: The Science of 18th Century Laundry Posted September 10, 2021 Clean clothes mattered to people in the 18th century, so much so that some women made a career out of doing other peoples’ laundry. Join us for this exciting program about the soapy, sudsy science that helped people keep their clothes clean at Michilimackinac. Admission by donation. #thisismackinac
Artist-in-Residence Workshop with Photographer Raymond Gaynor Posted September 8, 2021 Photographer Raymond Gaynor will lead a presentation/workshop on the images he’s taken while in residence. He’ll provide a detailed explanation on what drove him to take that particular shot, what he saw, and what he felt. Additionally, he will also discuss the technical aspects and processing workflow for each image. This is a free workshop presented in the Station 256 Conference Room located above the Mackinac Island State Park Visitor’s Center. Entrance is to the rear of the building. #thisismackinac
Movie by the Bridge Posted September 5, 2021 Enjoy Frozen in Michilimackinac State Park in Mackinaw City with the Mackinac Bridge as your background. Bring a blanket or a chair and a snack. This is a free event. #thisismackinac
Music in the Park, Presented by Mackinac Arts Council Posted September 2, 2021 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: July 1 – Mackinac’s Got Talent! July 8 – Olivia Dear July 15 – Rachel Davis (with Chimney Rock) July 22 – The Pistil Whips July 29 – The Accidentals (with Gabi June) August 5 – E Minor August 12 – The Ark Band August 19 – Mackinac’s Got Talent! Finals August 26 – Kari Lynch September 2 – Gin, Chocolate & Bottle Rockets
Mackinac Island Shakespeare Festival Posted August 29, 2021 The first ever Mackinac Island Shakespeare Festival will be held in Marquette Park throughout the month of August. Two classic Shakespeare plays will be presented – with a twist! The festival will feature Romeo and Juliet and Much Ado About Nothing, but both shows will be done with only five actors. All performances are presented by the Starling Shakespeare Co. and are free.
