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The annual Port Oneida Fair takes place every year on the 2nd weekend of August in the Port Oneida District of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. That's this weekend (Aug 13 & 14, 2010). The event is a celebration of rural arts and culture and features exhibits and demonstrations at five farms and the Port Oneida Schoolhouse.

With demonstrations of Native American and pioneer crafts like basket weaving, quilting and weaving, techniques of farming, barn building and blacksmithing, antique cars and bicycles, music, nature hikes and all kinds of activities for kids, this event simply cannot be beat as a way to learn about what life was like in Leelanau.

Learn much more at the Port Oneida Fair web site.

Photo: Sew There… by StacyN – MichiganMoments

Once again the Grand Traverse Lighthouse and the Northport-Omena Chamber of Commerce are joining together for the Northport Lighthouse and Maritime Festival on Saturday, June 19 in Northport. The festival celebrates the lighthouse and Northport's maritime history and will be held at Haserot and Marina Parks from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. A few of the highlights of the festival include Nautical Silent Auction & Flea Market, maritime historical displays, a nautical arts and craft show, Model Sailboat Making & Pond Races, Historic Boats on Display, Northport Weather Tower Interpretation, and more. A memorial bench dedication will take place at 12 noon in honor of Northport Boat Builders, including Bill Livingston, Ted Craker, and Chris Telgard.

Also back for the festival is the annual Fish Boil dinner. Fresh whitefish, from Carlson's of Fishtown, is simmered with redskin potatoes and onions. Also available is slaw, corn on the cob, rolls, pie, and beverages. Dinner will be available from noon to 6:00pm for $15/person. New this year – you can buy a glass of wine or beer for $5 from the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum volunteers to enjoy with your meal.

Inland Seas Education Association will be offering 2 hour schooner cruises focusing on maritime history of Northport guided by the ship's crew and a guest faculty of local historians. The cost is $30 per person the day of the cruise or buy one get one at 50% off pre-paid by June 18th.

Photo: We'll keep a light on for you ~ by KT of Lake Orion

What is Smart Commute Week?

The goal of Smart Commute Week is to promote alternative ways to get around town. Smart commuting includes bicycling, walking, carpooling or taking BATA. The purpose of Smart Commute Week is to promote alternative transportation and to educate area residents of the benefits of a smart commute. Smart commuting includes many benefits for your health, for the environment and for your pocket book. Smart Commuting increases our mobility with less pollution.

What is your commute costing you?
In addition to saving cash, did you know that you could keep approximately 19 pounds of CO2 emissions out of the atmosphere for each gallon of gas you don't use? Saving money and reducing the impact driving your car has on the environment is easier than you think. Use this Commute Cost & Carbon Emissions Calculator to calculate the financial and environmental benefits of alternative transportation.

Smart Commute Week at a Glance

Click the pictures above to find out more about Smart Commute Week activities and BATA information.

Smart Commute Week Schedule

Monday, June 7
7 am – 9 am Free Commuter Breakfasts at:
•Pangea's Pizza (135 E Front St)
•Higher Grounds (GT Commons, 806 Red Dr), revving up with entertainment by Fixed Gear Gallery
8:00 a.m. Free Hot Yoga class at Yen Yoga (330 E. Front St)
8:30 a.m. Free Vinyasa Flow class at Yen Yoga (330 E. Front St)
All Day Commuter Cup Competition

Tuesday, June 8
7 a.m. – 9 a.m. Free Commuter Breakfasts at:
• Oryana Natural Foods (E 10th/Lake St)
• Autism Research Network/Opa! at Oak Park Elementary (301 S. Garfield)
8:00 a.m. Free Hot Yoga class at Yen Yoga (330 E. Front St)
8:30 a.m Free Vinyasa Flow class at Yen Yoga (330 E. Front St)
All Day Commuter Cup Competition!

Wednesday, June 9
7 a.m. – 9 a.m. Free Commuter Breakfasts at:
• BATA Transit Center (115 Hall St) catered by Warehouse Lounge
• Hagerty Insurance (Cass/Lake) catered by Morsels
8:00 a.m. Hagerty Employee Bike Show (Cass/Lake)
8:00 a.m. Free Hot Yoga class at Yen Yoga (330 E. Front St)
8:30 a.m. Free Vinyasa Flow class at Yen Yoga (330 E. Front St)
All Day Commuter Cup Competition!
All Day Try Transit Day
5 p.m. – 7 p.m. SCW Happy Hour – Come network with other smart commuters at Right Brain Brewery (221 Garland St)

Thursday, June 10
7 a.m. – 9 a.m. Free Commuter Breakfasts at:
• Bubba’s (428 E Front St)
• Munson Medical Center (6th St)
• MCHC (Munson Ave)
8:00 a.m. Free Hot Yoga class at Yen Yoga (330 E. Front St)
8:30 a.m Free Vinyasa Flow class at Yen Yoga (330 E. Front St)
All Day Commuter Cup Competition!

Friday, June 11
7 a.m. – 9 a.m. Free Commuter Breakfasts at:
• Mustard’s (State/Cass)
7 a.m.-9 a.m. Free Massages courtesy of Living Light Massage during breakfast at Mustards (State/Cass)
8:00 a.m. Commuter Cup Awards and Raffle Ceremony at Mustard’s (State/Cass)
8:00 a.m. Free Hot Yoga class at Yen Yoga (330 E. Front St)
8:30 a.m. Free Vinyasa Flow class at Yen Yoga (330 E. Front St)

Join the crowd at the 13th Annual Cars in the Park on Saturday, May 29 at Haserot Park in Northport from 9 am. to 4 p.m. A great place to see all types of vehicles: antiques, classics, hot rods, muscle cars and motorcycles. Cars in the Park is the major fundraiser for the Northport-Omena Firefighter's Association! It's a great day on the water looking at some beautiful examples of the best in motor transportation. In addition to viewing the cards you can get hot dogs, brats, sodas and water, participate in a 50/50 raffle, a bucket raffle and guess what time one car will blow up.

Also, check out the Cars in the Park facebook event page for up-to-date information.

Northport's 5th Annual Y.A.C.apalooza at Braman Hill takes place on Saturday, May 22. There will be a live band playing and many fun games and events with many prizes, events such as; race to e top, karaoke, teacher dunk tank, 3 on 3 basketball, 3 on 3 volleyball and many other events… come join the fun!!!

Schedule of Events

12:00 to 1 3-on-3 b-ball tournament ($100 prize)
12:30 to 2 Twelve Year Reunion band (free hot dogs, pop & baked goods sale)
1:30 to 2:30 Dunk tank, volleyball tournament, kid’s games ($100 prize)
2:00 to 2:30 50/50 sumo suit wrestling
2:00 to 3:00 Washoos tournament
2:30 to 3:00 Race up Braman Hill ($25 prize)
2:30 to 3:00 Karaoke

Join Y.A.C.apalooza on facebook for the latest updates!

The 7th Annual Empire Asparagus Festival will be held May 14-16, 2009 and features a slew of asparagus-themed events including a fun run (or walk), Asparagus recipe contest, the Asparagus Parade, chalk art, music & dance and kids games. And, again this year, the popular Asparagus Eats/Wine and Beer Tasting! Check out the list of food and beverage vendors below.

For a full list of events, visit the Empire Chamber of Commerce website.

The Empire Asparagus is one of the world's weirdest festivals, check out the video:

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Looking for something fun to do This Mother's Day Weekend? Green Fest is free fun for the whole family. Green Saturday, May 8 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at Clinch Park in Traverse City.

The GreenFest has something for everyone, bring the kids for a Kite Contest, put their hands to work at the Home Depot® Kid's Corner, let them plant a flower for mom at Green Lake Gardens' potting stand, enter a coloring contest (click here), and enter a Essay Contest. This is the place to connect with people, ideas, information, products and services related to green. Get great ideas from green professionals, discover how to reduce your utility bills, learn about green products and services, and explore green initiatives in our community. Please look at the Schedule of Events here.

There will also be free films at the Traverse City State Theatre ("Ice Age 2", at 10 am, and "Greenburg: A Story of Community Rebuilding", at 8 pm, produced by Leonardo DiCaprio) and in the Con Foster Building speakers (including John B. Carnett, photographer for POPULAR SCIENCE MAGAZINE) to inform and entertain the public and professional communities about the emerging green marketplace and the products and technologies this movement is creating.

Photo: The Beautiful Boardman by OMG its Shortiie

The Leelanau Community Cultural Center will host the Exposures 2010 exhibit to celebrate the art and creative writing of Leelanau County students in grades 7-12 chosen for this year's publication. The opening reception featuring original artwork, essay and poetry readings, and live music with be held on Friday, April 30-5:00-8:00 pm at the Old Art Building. Hors d'oeuvres provided courtesy of coordinator Martha Ryan and Leelanau County business owners. The exhibit continues Saturday, May 1- 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Exposures is a collaborative effort of volunteers from throughout Leelanau County. Deb Freed of Suttons Bay coordinates the project. “This year’s publication is an impressive showcase for the talents and hard work and creativity of our youth,” Freed said. “I think the community will find this issue to be amazing.”

In this year’s edition of EXPOSURES, 134 pieces of work produced by 112 students in grades 7-12 will be published. Will Case and Donna Popke are art editors, while Marie Hanis, Lynne Rae Perkins and Tina Ulrich are writing editors.

All students whose work is included in the book will receive a complimentary copy of Exposures 2010. Additional copies will be on sale at the Old Art Building and at area book stores for $5 per copy.

This Saturday, April 24, the opening day of trout season, the Northport Sportsmen Club sponsors a fishing derby at the Old Mill Pond in Northport. Fishing is reserved for children, with parents helping them. The club will have two tents overlooking the millpond – one with hot dogs and the other with prizes such as fishing poles and games. Trophies will be awarded to kids catching the largest trout.

Next Saturday, May 1, is their annual Smelt Supper at the Northport Fire Hall. The Northport Sportsmen's Club has been hosting this event for years and they know how to cook smelt and all the trimmings. The dinner and bucket raffle help raise funds for a variety of community projects sponsored by the club. Dinner starts at 4 p.m. and runs until 8 p.m. Adults are $10, children 5-12 are $5 and preschoolers are free.

Photo used by permission from Cheryl Parker Photography.

There is a good chance you might catch sight of a lucky leprechaun on Sunday, March 14 at Kilkenny’s Irish Public House located at 400 West Front Street in Traverse City. The Lucky Leprechaun Ball, sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, features music, dancing and singing to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. This year, the event will also benefit The Father Fred Foundation.

“We are so fortunate to have the Ancient Order of the Hibernians supporting us through their Lucky Leprechaun Ball,” said Martie Manty, Executive Director of The Father Fred Foundation. “Because we do not accept any federal or state funding, community events like these are crucial in helping us provide food, clothing and financial assistance to our neighbors in crisis.”

Doors open at 5:00 p.m. for an evening full of fun events and live music by Song of the Lakes. Hopefuls of all ages are encouraged to join in the Danny Boy singing contest. This may be a step on your way to American Idol! An Irish Trivia Contest will be followed by the Couch Potato Auction, and an evening of music from The Wild Sullys is on the auction block for the House Concert Auction. The winning bidder will enjoy an hour of great entertainment at their place of business or residence.

“The Lucky Leprechaun Ball is designed to be very family-friendly; it’s smoke free and we’re offing a kid’s menu with items under $5. Admission is $10 for adults; free for kids under 16,” said Mike Sullivan, event organizer.

Tickets are available at Nolan’s Tobacco Shop, The Father Fred Foundation, NorthPeak, Kilkenney’s or at the door.

For those unable to attend this event, a secure donation can be made online at fatherfred.org, or mailed to The Father Fred Foundation, P.O. Box 2260, Traverse City, MI 49685-2260.

The Father Fred Foundation is a non-denominational charity providing food, clothing, household goods and financial assistance to families and individuals in crisis who live in the five county Grand Traverse region. Visit www.fatherfred.org or call (231) 947-2055 for more information.