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Halloween dates back to ancient Celtic times, and although modern celebrations may not resemble the ancient ones, they're still a favorite of kids and adults alike! Here's our list of weekend activities in Leelanau and the surrounding area. Did we miss something? Undoubtably - add it as a comment below!

The Grand Traverse Lighthouse invites you out this Friday or Saturday night and next for a ghost walk where you can learn the stories of those who once dwelt there. Click through to get details from them. Also next Saturday Oct 29 in Northport is a free Halloween Concert at the Northport CAC featuring the Northport Community Band, The Village Voices and others - wear a costume!

Glen Arbor Trick or Treating for Children happens on Sunday, October 30 from 1-4 pm. The Empire Chamber invites you to the Town Hall on Front Street Halloween night (Oct 31) from 6pm to 8 pm for a spooktacular time filled with games & treats.

From 5-9 PM Cedar's Haunted House will again be scaring people October 31 starting at 5:00 pm. Come see what everyone is talking about!

The Haunted Hayrides at Black Star Farms will scare even the bravest of goblins, and are offered October 21, 22, 28, and 29, from 7-10 pm. $10 per person. Please call 231.944.1251 to confirm if the weather is iffy!

The Riverside Inn in Leland has reported ghostly activities in year's past, and while we have no official word, you should probably check it out. You might also enjoy Jacob's Corn Maze on M-72.

Looking for something unusual to do on Halloween? Check out the Zombie Run, sponsored by TART, a 5K Run/Walk starting at 9am on Saturday, October 29 at Right Brain Brewery. You are invited to register as "Infected" or "Survivor." "Survivors" will be given a one-minute head start at the beginning of the race and will want to be prepared to RUN FOR THEIR LIVES before the infected pursue their morning snack.

If you're wanting a little Halloween spirit in your cup, how about Vicious, an American wheat IPA from North Peak that pays tribute to Michigan's legendary Dogman? Read about the Dogman from Weird Michigan & Absolute Michigan. If beer's not your thing, Michiganvine.com suggests Leelanau Wine Cellars Witches Brew as the perfect treat. The secret recipe is made with cinnamon, cloves and other natural spices and is best served by warming it gently in the microwave by the glass or by simmering it in a crock pot with a cinnamon stick for a true “witches brew.”

Photo: Noche de luna llena - Full moon night by Flowery *L*u*z*a*

On Sunday, September 18th, the Cherry Capital Cycling Club will host the Leelanau Harvest Tour, an annual bicycle road ride through scenic Leelanau County. Over 900 riders (families and individuals) from all over Michigan are expected to participate in this non-competitive event. Proceeds from the tour benefit the Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation (TART) Trails, a Traverse City-based nonprofit trail and bicycle advocacy organization. TART Trails owns, operates, and maintains the Leelanau Trail, a 15-mile trail that stretches from Traverse City to Suttons Bay.

The Leelanau Harvest Tour is known for its unique food stops every 20 to 30 miles. Each stop is on a lakefront park with a menu that includes specialties donated by area merchants and restaurants. Pre-registered riders will also enjoy a post-ride pasta dinner, included in the registration fee.

Route options cover 15, 25, 45, 67, or 100 miles through beautiful Leelanau County. All of the routes cover hilly terrain and riders are rewarded with great views at the top of most hills.

The event starts and ends at Glen Lake Schools. Cyclists may register for $35, and families may register for $80.

To sign up online or to find out more information, please review the Leelanau Harvest Tour's web site, leelanauharvesttour.org

Or, if you have other questions, please feel free to call the TART Trails office at 941-4300 to speak to someone about the Leelanau Harvest Tour.

The third annual Michigan Schooner Festival sets sail September 9-11, 2011 on West Bay in Traverse City at Open Space Park and Clinch Park Marina. The festival will feature eight tall ships including the Appledore V, Madeline, Welcome, Manitou, Pier Wisconsin's S/V Denis Sullivan and Leelanau's own schooner Inland Seas aka the Great Lakes Schoolship.

It kicks off Friday night (September 9) with the Grand Parade of Sail as the eight vessels sail down West Grand Traverse Bay together and dock at Clinch Marina. Other weekend highlights include ship tours, wine & beer tastings, food, entertainment, the Ring of Steel pirate reenactment troupe, artist vendors, kids games, and ticketed sailings aboard the schooners.

Read more from the Grand Traverse Insider and check out some footage from last year in the video below!

Photo credit: The Welcome by ETCphoto

Below are your 2011 Labor Day Weekend happenings - if you know of more, add them into the comments!

Summer is almost over - fortunately we get to say farewell over a three-day weekend. Here are some ideas for Leelanau Labor Day fun!

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Start the weekend off Friday night in Northport, at the last Music in the Park for the season with Music in the Park featuring the Leo Creek Band.

The annual Alice Busby Walk - Miles for Mammograms kicks off Saturday at 9 AM in downtown Northport. Monies raised in this walk, which honors Alice Busby who died in 1994 at age 43 of breast cancer, go to pay for mammograms for women who otherwise could not afford them. The walk is sponsored by the Zonta Club of Leelanau County.

As long as you've got your running shoes on, how about the Port Oneida 5k Barn to Barn Run & Walk? It takes place Saturday  in the Port Oneida Rural Historic District in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. 9 age categories, awards, food and great give-aways!  1/4 Kids Schoolhouse dash also. A fundraiser for Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear - an official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service since 1998.

On Saturday night, Suttons Bay will hold their annual Labor Day Fireworks at dusk.

Sunday from 1-9 PM the village of Lake Leelanau hosts the Lake Leelanau Barbecue & Blues Festival! Artists include the Sub Prime Blues Band, Broken Arrow Blues Band, Laith Al-Saadi , Pete Fetters and others and there's great food & fun to be had.

On Monday, Leland hosts their annual Labor Day Bridge Walk beginning promptly at Noon on the M-22 Bridge. Certificates, lemonade and cookies will be available for all on the lawn of the Old Art Building following the walk.

You'll have to make a choice because the Labor Day BridgeWalk/Party happens at noon on the Narrows Bridge between Big & Little Glen Lake!

Labor Day Weekend is also a great time to explore all the great beaches in the area.  Many people have heard that the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is the most beautiful place in (Good Morning) America. For one look at why, check out North Bar Lake with everything from lounging in the sun to swimming in toasty warm North Bar, playing in the waves on a pristine stretch of Lake Michigan shore and even enjoying Leelanau's best skim boarding on the tiny channel that connects the two lakes!  For more, visit our Sleeping Bear Dunes page.

Looking for more things to do, check out the Leelanau Calendar. Please feel free to leave your Labor Day suggestions as comments! We look forward to hear what everyone has planned!

Of course just kicking back with a fishing pole or a barbecue with some friends may be all you need for the perfect holiday weekend, which we at Leelanau.com heartily wish for you!

Photo:  These are days to remember... by John Levanen

The 2011 Inland Seas Summer Festival takes place this Saturday, July 16th on the waterfront at the Inland Seas Education Center in Suttons Bay.

The event kicks off with the 5K Road Race/Walk at 9 AM along scenic Lake Michigan and it's only $25 to participate! The music follows from 10 AM - 5 PM. There are also tours of the schooner Inland Seas, short sails aboard ISEA's Friendship Sloop Liberty,  hands-on activities from numerous Great Lakes organizations, food, art & other vendors, and the announcement of the winners of a hand-made Abenaki canoe built in the ISEA Boat Shop by volunteers, a Boardwalk D7 folding bicycle from Brick Wheels, dinner for four at Trattoria Stella, and a sail for 6 aboard ISEA's Friendship sloop Liberty!

Tickets for the music are $10 per person, with kids 15 and under free - click the link above to register for the race or music and much more information.

Music Lineup

The Inland Seas Summer Festival will provide live music from several musicians throughout the day. The Sour Belly Trio made of members from Sour Mash - a local Roots Bluegrass and Alternative Folk group; 3-Hour Tour - a Power-Folk group playing Leelanau County Style songs you know by heart; and Don Julin - master of jazz. The headline act will feature Don Middlebrook & Living Soul, a Buffet cover band - think trop rock, Jimmy Buffet meets Kenny Chesney.

11:00am - 3-Hour Tour
12:00pm - Don Julin
1:00pm - Sour Belly Trio
2:15pm - Don Middlebrook & Living Soul (Jimmy Buffest covers)
3:45pm - Don Middlebrook & Living Soul

The Leelanau Children's Center invites you to their Northport location for the dedication of Henry's House. The event takes place this Friday, July 1st from 5:30 - 7:30 PM.

Henry's House is a beautiful and unique structure built on the LCC- Northport playground by John Kinker. Their pages on Henry's House tell his story, and talk about the importance of resilience for children and for us all.

It is a memorial to a young fellow named Henry Forrest Eggert. Henry’s life was short but full of surprise, intensity and teaching. Walk around Henry’s House and discover the unique aspects of the structure: the invitations to contemplate, to come together and to take refuge.

The story of Henry and his family is a powerful story of resilience and acceptance. The literature on healthy families describes resilient parents: “Parents who are emotionally resilient are able to maintain a positive attitude, creatively solve problems, and effectively rise to challenges in their lives.” Henry’s parents, Sarah and John, had the capacity to maintain a positive attitude thoughout Henry’s life, which served as a rudder for the many people who were touched by Henry. As one family member noted: “Sarah set the tone and let us all come to peace with loving Henry for the time we had him rather than focusing on the fact that he would soon not be here.”

Henry was born with Trisome 18, a rare congenital condition that would limit his life to a few short months. John and Sarah learned of Henry’s condition upon his birth, and despite the shock, accepted the difficult news and turned their attention to devoting their time embracing Henry as their youngest child and as a member of their community.

Click through for much more!

Looking to spruce up your garden or your yard? Two area communities have plant sales this weekend!

Cedar's Perennial Plant Sale is Saturday, May 28 from 9 AM - 4 PM. Over 500 perennial and wildflower plants, inspected by Michigan Dept. of Agriculture are ready for planting in your garden. Beautify your home with plants that attract butterflies and birds. Prices start at $2.00 with over 500 plants and 50 varieties. This is their major fundraiser of the year to support 265 days per year of free, educational, healthy and intergenerational fun.

The Annual Plant Sale on the Village Green in Leland is on tap for Memorial Day Weekend! Now is your chance to purchase native ferns, blood root, and trillium and more along with a huge selection of other nursery perennials, trees and shrubs provided by locally owned Four Season Nursery, who will be on hand to answer questions about going native. When: Memorial Day weekend. Sale begins Friday, May 27th and runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday; Sunday noon to 4 p.m.

All proceeds help maintain the Village Green and assist with other Conservancy projects. The Wildflower Rescue Committee continually seeks new sites on which to dig. If you are building a home, driveway, addition, or know of someone who is, please contact the WRC so they may have a chance to remove these precious wildflowers before the excavators arrive! Contact Patty Shea: 256-9249 or Joanie Woods: 256-7154.

Photo credit: 20090429_0107_copy(Blood Root) by jsorbieus

The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore invites you to join a celebration of our country’s 394 national park site. The theme for National Park Week 2011 is Healthy Parks, Healthy People, and you can celebrate April 16-24th with FREE ranger-led program or just get out in the park to soak up some healthy fun!

On Saturday, April 16th you can join a healthy yet leisurely hike on a 2.8 mile loop on Sleeping Bear Point Trail. A jaunt through hilly sand dunes and woods will get your leg muscles warm, your heart pumping, and your senses savoring the views!

Next Friday (April 22) you can improve your outdoor photography skills while improving your waistline with a 1.5 mile round-trip hike to enjoy the sunset on the Empire Bluffs. Bring your camera if you have one, and they'll have some old fashioned film cameras on hand if you don't. Meet the ranger at the Empire Bluffs trailhead at 7:00pm. From the Visitor Center, go south on M-22 for 1.7 miles. Turn right on Wilco Road. The trailhead is up the road on your left.

Next Saturday (April 23) is National Junior Ranger day that gives kids a chance to become a Junior Ranger at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore! There are several events (all free) to enjoy. In honor of National Park Week, entrance fees at the National Lakeshore are waived!

• 10:00 a.m. (at Otter Creek) and 1:00 p.m. (at Dune Climb): Junior Ranger Exploration Programs - Meet at trailheads. Call Visitor Center for directions and more information if needed.
• 2:30 p.m.: Pre-Ceremony Activities - Try on a real Park Ranger uniform and/or design a personal arrowhead badge at the Visitor Center before the official ceremony.
• 3:00 p.m.: Junior Ranger Ceremony - Meet at the Visitor Center to take the Junior Ranger oath and receive the special National Junior Ranger Day badge and certificate. There will be light refreshments and prizes for all.

Photo credit: Glen Arbor August-September 2009 by John Knox

Support the work of the Father Fred Foundation and enjoy great entertainment at the annual Lucky Leprechaun Ball on Sunday, March 13, 2011 beginning at 5 PM at Kilkenny's Irish Public House in Traverse City. Click the poster for a larger view!

Performers for this family friendly event will be Song of the Lakes and a new act, the Young Sullys, an Irish family band with 6 kids ages 6 to 14 years old who have been thrilling audiences across the state of Michigan with their Irish songs and performance. The evening will also feature the top 5 Junior & Adult Finalists who are seeking "The Best Singer In Traverse City Award" in the 31st annual Danny Boy Singing Contest.

The first round of the Danny Boy contest will be held on March 10, 5 p.m. at Lars Hockstad Auditorium at Central Grade School. Slots are limited to 25 for each division, so sign up now!

Proceeds support the Father Fred Foundation. Admission is $10 in advance or $15 at the door with youths 14 and under free! Get your tickets at the Father Fred Foundation, North Peak or Kilkenny's!

For more check out the Danny Boy Contest and Lucky Leprechaun Event on Facebook!

To get you in the mood, here's Andy Williams singing Danny Boy via YouTube!

The annual Leelanau Children's Center Carnival kicks off at NOON this Saturday (Feb 12) with a concert by Twang, Bang, Fiddle in the Leland Performing Arts Center. The Carnival begins at 12:30 in the gymnasium at Leland Public School and lunch will be served in the cafeteria. It features great family fun for all ages with games, raffle (including an iPad!), prizes, music, cake walk, fun and food!

This event benefits programs at the Leelanau Children's Center and is always a great time!

Click the flyer to the right for all the details!