Lilac Fairy Is Theme For Lilac Festival’s Grand Parade June 19
By Jessica Delaney

Lilacs may not be in bloom just yet, but plans for the 56th Lilac Festival are already bursting out in full flower. Between the return of many familiar events and the barrage of new features, the Lilac Festival will offer something for everyone.

Since the festival is based upon the bloom of Mackinac Island lilacs, it stands to reason that one addition to the festival is rooted in the flower. This year a Lilac Walk and Talk will be a new feature.

The Lilac Walk and Talks will be set up at several different Bed and Breakfasts across the Island, all of which include lilacs in their landscaping. Speakers will talk about caring for lilacs and will include pruning demonstrations. Each show will have a different theme, including sessions on soil, pH levels, and recommendations to keep lilacs healthy.

“It’s good for people with lilacs,” said Tourism Bureau Director Mary Slevin. “This way people with lilacs can learn to properly prune them.”

For those who prefer to look at flowers instead of tending them, Mission Point’s Eurogarden will host a Martini and Cigar Putting Championship. Each hole will be set up to represent a different country that lilacs came from before arriving in the United States, such as Persia, Scotland, and Spain. Food and drinks will correspond to the different countries. A Lansing-based cigar company will be making hand rolled cigars. The event is a fundraiser for the Tourism Bureau and costs $45.

Got a sweet tooth? Another new event, The Art of Entertaining, is for anyone who loves good food. Pastry chef Kim Sperl from Bella e Dolce will teach how to frost and make pipe flowers for a cake. Attendees will practice on a 10-inch cake, which they will take home. Jay Porcaro from Weber’s Floral and Gift will demonstrate how to create a floral bouquet, which attendees will also have the opportunity to make and keep. The event costs $45 and is limited to 25 people.

The Tall Ship Manitou will dock at the Star Line dock, and will be open for a tour. Also new, the ship will make two excursions around the Island. Wine-tasting will be included on the cruise. All benefits go to the Tourism Bureau to help support the costs of the Lilac Festival. Tickets are $100.

This year the Tourism Bureau will collaborate with the Detroit Music Awards to bring up award-winning musicians from Motor City to perform on the Island. The Eddie King Band will perform during the Sunset Blues Cruise, while Larry Barris will perform on the Sunset Jazz Cruise. The cruises will be catered and include cash bars. Tickets cost $25.

Not only will there be award-winning music on the boats, but there will also be a free concert series on the Island. Local musicians will have the chance to shine in various concerts, including the concert in the Park at Surrey Hills.

One of the new events at this year’s festival will be the Dog and Pony Show.

Friday, June 17, there will be a Feast of Epona Blessing of Horses at Mission Hill Stable. The following day will be the Epona & Barkus Parade, followed immediately by the Dog and Pony Show. Epona was the Celtic goddess of horses, while Barkus is a play on the Greek God of Bacchus. Mike Morgan of Mid-Michigan Kennels Inc. trains K-9 police dogs and will speak about training police dogs, and Larry Smith will speak about living with Haflingers ponies.

Sunday will close with the Grand Parade. This year’s theme is the Lilac Fairy. The theme is based on a Victorian era book of fairy tales by Andrew Lang. Stories in the compilation were drawn from ancient legends from around the globe. The Tourism Bureau has donated a copy of the book to the Mackinac Island Library. All window decorators and parade entries are encouraged to follow the theme.

The Scottville Clown Band will march in the Grand Parade again. Many were disappointed last year when the band was unable to attend, due to a performance in Indiana.

Some changes in the logistics have been announced. The Tourism Bureau will once again ask local businesses to sponsor bands. Because of travel costs, they are often one of the more expensive parts of the Festival.

The Taste of Mackinac will be held at Harbour View Inn this year.

For information on all events, or to buy tickets, call the Tourism Bureau at 847-6418 or vidit their Web site at www.mackinac.com.