It’s going to be a busy weekend in Northern Michigan, what events will you be attending?
Here’s what we recommend:
Honor a Harbor Springs hero
The Harbor Springs Area Historical Society is hosting its longest running event with the 28th annual Shay Days celebration July 17-18.
The two-day festival honors inventor Ephraim Shay and his impact on the city. Some of the activities include a look at live steam model trains, crafts and games, wood carving demonstrations and a birthday party for Shay.
Check out the full schedule of events at harborspringshistory.org/events/shay-days.html.
Swim in the Straits
You can cheer on the swimmers in the Mackinac Bridge Swim on Saturday, July 18 as they make their way across the Straits of Mackinac from Mackinaw City to St. Ignace.
Registration to take part in the swim is closed, as swimmers needed to show proof of a 40/minute mile or less to qualify for the swim by May 1. The group will set out from Fort Michilimackinac State Park at 7 a.m. following a brief ceremony, and will touch land again around 5 miles later at Bridgeview Park in St. Ignace. This event raises funds for first responders.
To make a donation or for more information, visit mackinacbridgeswim.com.
Tackle the TriWalloon
If you’re up for the challenge, hundreds of athletes are expected to take part in the third annual TriWalloon on Saturday, July 18 in Walloon Lake.
The event offers a sprint distance triathlon, duathlon and aquabike. The triathlon consists of a 600-meter swim, a 20K bike and a 5K run. The duathlon includes a 2.5K run, 20K bike and a 5K run, and the aquabike event will only be the swim and bike courses. The race, which starts at 7:30 a.m., will begin and end at Legacy Marina. Relay teams are encouraged. All proceeds from the event will benefit Bridge Street Ministries in Grand Rapids.
To register or for more information, visit triwalloon.com/register.
Support the Ship Masters’ Association Scholarship Fund
Voices at the Valley Camp will bring together Great Lakes captains for a special evening fundraiser to support the International Ship Masters’ Association Scholarship Fund.
The event takes place at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 18 at the Museum Ship Valley Camp in Sault Ste. Marie. Six Great Lakes captains will be on the panel, plus other special guests. There will also be a catered meal, an auction and a door prize.
Tickets are $40 a person. For more information, visit facebook.com/InternationalShipMastersAssociation.
Explore where art meets nature
The Good Hart Artist Residency will host A Midsummer’s Daydream from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, July 19 on the Hindle-Ross Trails near Cross Village.
Described as “a magical afternoon of poetry, music and art,” A Midsummer’s Daydream features poets, musicians and other creative opportunities stationed along the trails.
While the event is free to attend, guests must register for a parking pass because space is limited. Event registration will close when all of the parking spaces are claimed.
Find out more at goodhartartistresidency.org/midsummers-daydream.
— Contact Jillian Fellows at jfellows@petoskeynews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: 5 fun things to do this weekend in Northern Michigan
Reporting by Jillian Fellows, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jillian Fellows, The Petoskey News-Review | USA TODAY Network
