Leelanau.com Blog
leelanau county news • traverse city news • michigan news

Leelanau.com is going to jump into the holiday weekend by featuring Photo Friday a day early. [kmay] has captured our feeling in this amazing photo. Be sure to check out the Home slideshow by [kmay] for more great pictures.

Andy and the staff at Leelanau Communications wishes everyone a fun and safe Independence weekend!

The annual Cedar Polka Festival runs Thursday through Sunday (July 2-5). Highlights include a parade on Saturday at noon, softball tournament, a polka mass and (of course) polka under the big, big tent with the big names of polka.

Thursday, July 2, 2009
The 28th annual Cedar Polka Festival begins with the flag raising ceremony at 5:00 p.m. Music and dancing begins immediately after the ceremony. Musicians, Frank Moravick, from Cleveland, OH and Jimmy K, from Strongville, OH with rotate playing until 1 am.

Friday, July 3, 2009
Music and dancing beings at 2 pm with Jimmy K playing until 5:30. Roger Majesti, from Mosinee, WI and Frank Moravick will play alternately until 1 am.

Saturday, July 4, 2009
Polka Fest Parade beings at noon at the Solon Twp. Hall. All participants should be at the Solon Twp. Hall by 11:30 am sharp.

Music and dancing begins at 2 pm Roger Majesti playing until 5:30 pm. Polka Music Sound from Davidson, MI with alternately play with Larry and the Larks from Ada, MI until 1 am.

Sunday, July 5, 2009
Polka Mass celebrated with Bishop Cooney begins at 11 am under the tent. Music and dancing resumes at 1 pm with Polka Music Sound and Pan Franek and Zosia.

Admissions (per person)
Thursday - $5.00
Fri. & Sat. - $10.00
Sunday - $5.00
3 Day Pass - $20.00
Ages 13-20 - 1/2 price when accompanied by parent
Ages 12 & Under - Free when accompanied by parent

Bands subject to change. Space available for rent on the tennis court.

For Info Phone: (231) 228-3378 or (231) 228-5562

The photo is Polka Dancing in Krakow by beastiekeith.

Check out the Library of Congress Local Legacies

and the Leelanau.com/map Cedar Polka Fest location

Sleeping Bear Surf & Kayak in Empire invites you to celebrate International Surfing Day this Saturday (Jun 20).

The day begins with a cleanup of Empire Beach at 10 AM. At noon, the C4 Waterman manufactures rep will share his boards and knowledge from 12-4 PM with anyone wanting to try the very popular and fast growing sport of Stand-Up Paddling. There will be Current Designs kayaks to demo as well! At the end of the day, enjoy some free cake & ice cream for all participants to celebrate International Surfing Day & itty’s 10th birthday.

Meet at the beautiful Empire Public Beach at 10 in the morning to commence the clean-up and for more info call Sleeping Bear Surf & Kayak at (231) 326-WAVE (9283). Learn more about standup paddle surfing via Michigan in Pictures.

This summer and fall Leelanau.com is bringing you America's Lakeshore: A Comprehensive Guide to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. To kick things off with a bang we've gathered together an amazing giveaway to help one lucky winner and their family & friends jump for joy and experience a range of what the Lakeshore has to offer.

To enter, all you need to do it to be on our mailing list when we draw the winner on June 30th. We'll be doing a giveaway every month, so you'll probably want to stay on!

Here's what you'll win:

To start it all off, Leelanau.com will buy you a Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Annual Park Pass. The pass provides you and your passengers free access to everything in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore from July 1st 2009 -July 1st 2010! (yeah - it\'s just $20, but what a deal)

The Trading Post is just seconds away from the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and offers, canoe, kayak, and tube rentals (and also fishing supplies & licenses, homemade pizza, hand-dipped ice cream, fresh deli sandwiches and all kinds of groceries & beverages. 8294 Deadstream Road Honor, Michigan 49640 (231) 325-2202

A unique way to experience the beauty of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is with a sunset cruise for 6 from Manitou Island Transit. Depart at 6:30 PM from historic Leland harbor upon the large and comfortable vessel Mishe-Mokwa. As the sun slowly sinks behind the Manitou Islands, you cruise along the Manitou Passage through scenic Good Harbor Bay, passing close to such landmarks as Whaleback, Pyramid Point and the North Manitou Shoal Light. There is a cash bar available aboard the vessel. For more information on the cruise and other cruise options please visit Manitou Island Transit's website.

In the shadow of the great Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes, the Crystal River winds its way from Glen Lake to Lake Michigan in no apparent rush. The River at Crystal Bend an ageless playground of native plants, putts, paddling and peeling laughter. The River also offers, canoe kayak and tube rentals, guided eco-tours, great activities and family fun for all! The River Glen Arbor 5959 Oak Street Glen Arbor, MI 231.334-PUTT

After your round of golf head on over to Cherry Republic and cool down with ice cream for 6 at Cherry Republic's World Headquarters in downtown Glen Arbor - right in heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. They have world renowned cherry treats throughout three buildings which are nestled among English-style gardens. 6026 Lake St Glen Arbor, MI 49636 1-800-206-6949

Take a Sleeping Bear Eco-tour with a guided Tucker Lake fishing trip for 6 from The River. All you need to do is show up and they provide the boats, rods, tackle, ice, soft drinks and an experienced guide to help you find, catch and release the fish. The River Glen Arbor 5959 Oak Street Glen Arbor, MI 231.334-PUTT

When your day has ended snuggle up close to the person you in your brand new matching M-22 Sweatshirts. The creators of the M-22 brand identify M-22 as "the feeling you get when you realize there is no other place you would rather be". The M-22 brand was created to express a common passion for Northern Michigan. Check out their retail store downtown Traverse City or visit the M-22 website to learn more.

Take a personal tour of anywhere in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore with former ranger Bill Herd. Name your spot or allow Bill to pick one out of his favorite places in the Park for you. Details to be agreed upon by both parties.

As the vineyards of Leelanau County wake to the sun & warmth of May, the wineries of the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association invite you to kick off the season with the Spring Sip & Savor, a brunch-themed wine and food pairing at each of the 17 wineries on the wine trail.

To get things started right, you are also invited to attend a complimentary Saturday morning coffee mixer at the Silver Tree Deli in Suttons Bay featuring premium blends from Higher Grounds coffee and tea from Light of Day.

For added fun, event participants are encouraged to keep their pajamas on when they set out in the morning and try to win one of the prizes that many of the wineries will be offering. The grand prize consists of two nights lodging at The Homestead in Glen Arbor during any season of the year (subject to availability), dinner for two with appetizers and desert at La Becasse in Maple City, Sunday brunch for two at the Bluebird in Leland, a wood fire pizza from Black Star Farms, perfect for lunch or light meal out on the trail and a fabulous gift basket filled with goodies.

The Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association will hold the first of their LPVA Second Fridays next Friday (April 10). Every month on the 2nd Friday, participating tasting rooms will be open 5-8 PM for tasting around a common theme.

Next Friday is "Toast the Taxman," offering you a chance to try some wine and receive a 6% discount to cover your sales tax on all wine purchases.

Ciccone Vineyards Tasting Room Manager Jaclyn Eikey says "This is not business as usual - I think we're all looking forward to creating an exclusive opportunity for intimate evenings at our tasting rooms. We have so much variety that I know everyone will find something new & fun!"

May 10 will be Mom's Night Out (with deals on limo service for that special lady) and June will be Premium Pour, featuring rare and top shelf wines. You can get all the details and a list of participating wineries at the link above!

Click to see the poster bigger!

A Happy St. Patrick's Day to all of you - you can check out Wikipedia's St. Patrick's Day entry and also read about the color green over at Michigan in Pictures.

Photo: St Patricks Day Fond Memories from UpNorth Memories - Donald (Don) Harrison

Georgienne was at last weekend's 5th Annual Winter Carnival sponsored by the Leelanau Township Chamber and the village of Northport The event took place at Bramen Hill (on Morningside Drive off West Third Street just out of Northport) and featured a snowmobile poker run, outhouse race, broomball, curling, free hot dogs, hot chocolate and coffee and much more!

Jim Sorbie got some great shots of the Polar Bear Dip at last weekend's Empire Winterfest! He says that there wasn't any safe ice on South Bar Lake (the traditional location) but of course that doesn't stop the good folks of Empire from doing their seasonal duty!

The annual Empire Winterfest will be held next weekend (Feb 13-15). On Friday night there's Candlelight Ice Skating on South Bar Lake with bonfire, hot chocolate, free hot dogs courtesy of Deerings Market (6 PM) and a pool tournament at the Village Inn (7:30).

Saturday features kids games at South Bar Lake (12-1 PM) followed by the always exciting Polar Bear Dip (2 PM) and the annual Curling Tournament right after the dip! From 5-8 PM there's a Soup Potluck Dinner at the Town Hall (bring a dish to pass, soups provided).

On Sunday from 8 AM - Noon the Empire Lion’s Club has their Pancake breakfast at the Empire Town Hall.

You can see more photos from the Empire Polar Bear Dip and check the Empire Chamber web site.

Photo:  Extra Points for Sheer Insanity detail by Andy McFarlane