History, Veterans Honored at 43rd Annual Mackinaw City Pageant
100+ Entries Join Memorial Day Parade
By Jessica Delaney

Nate Bootz portrays an Indian during the Fort Michilimackinac Pageant. In the actual June 2, 1763 assault on the fort, natives disguised the attack as part of a baggataway game.

It’s not every day that a person can watch as clowns, American Indians, soldiers, marching bands, and even cross-dressing, brass-playing musicians walk down a street together. But visitors to Mackinaw City were able to see just that during the 43rd Annual Memorial Weekend Grand Parade.

Presented by the Fort Michilimackinac Pageant, the parade featured more than 100 entries, including high school bands from around the state, ROTC groups, and even the popular Scottville Clown Band. Held on Saturday, May 28, the parade not only promotes the reenactors who will be performing in the pageant, but also pays homage to the nation’s veterans.

British soldiers entered Fort Michilimackinac following the surrender of the French after the French and Indian War. Historical interpreters at the 43rd Michilimackinac Pageant demonstrated authentic clothing as well as giving historically accurate military commands.

The parade began with the national anthem at 1 p.m., followed immediately by city police cars clearing the roads for parade participants. Marine Corps veterans led the way, and received standing applause as they passed through the crowd. They were followed by more than a dozen high school bands, along with Junior ROTC groups, historical interpreters, antique cars, and visiting festival queens.

This year’s parade hosted more than 100 entries and lasted nearly an hour and a half.

Judges rated all of the entries and awarded prizes at the end of the parade. The Grand Prize went to Benton Harbor High School Band, which not only performed music and marched well, it coordinated dance moves during parade rest. Not surprisingly, the Most Humorous award went to the Scottville Clown Band.

The parade ended nearly at the gates to Colonial Michilimackinac, where the annual pageant is performed. Free of charge, a separate gate allowed guests onto pageant grounds without paying the traditional admission fee to enter Colonial Michilimackinac.

Immediately preceding the pageant was a fashion Show, which introduced visitors to traditional garb of the colonial time period. French fur traders, French soldiers, British soldiers, Indians, and colonial women displayed their historically accurate clothing.

The pageant itself depicted life in the colonial times, and the tensions that began rising in the mid-1700s which eventually led to the Indian attack of the British garrison at the fort.

Following the French and Indian War in 1761, English troops moved into the Great Lakes and garrisoned the forts, including Fort Michilimackinac, were French fur traders and soldiers had maintained a civil and mutually beneficial relationship with the neighboring native tribes.

In marked contrast to the former French soldiers, the British maintained an arrogant attitude toward the Indians, ignoring many of their sacred customs and the French practice of giving gifts. Indians viewed the English with suspicion and Ottawa Chief Pontiac called for a war council and devised a plot to attack Detroit and other outposts in the wilderness. The actual attack at Michilimackinac took place June 2, 1763 and is the highlight of the annual reenactment.

To safely enter the fort, Indians organized a game of baggataway, a game nearly identical to modern day lacrosse. During the game, the ball was to be sent over the walls of the fort three times, and the third time was the signal for the attack to begin. As warriors ran into the fort, supposedly to retrieve the ball, others grabbed weapons which the women had been hiding in their clothing.

The Ojibwa killed 20 British soldiers and took the rest of the garrison captive, but the French citizens at the fort were not harmed.

The capture of Fort Michilimackinac was a popular segment of the pageant Saturday. Some visitors cheered for one or the other Indian team, while others yelled for the attack to begin. Unintentionally interactive, some members of the crowd got to be part of the demonstration as they retrieved balls that escaped the reenactors during the game.

Unknown to many bystanders, the reenactors actually do play the game, and even keep score.

The Annual Michilimackinac Pageant is the longest running free attraction in the State of Michigan. More than 200 volunteers perform in the pageant, and, according to Meghan Michalak, the director of Fort Michilimackinac Pageant, Inc., most of them are either residents, family of residents, or former residents of the area who return annually for the reenactment.

In addition to the regular performances, visits are made to the local school to encourage students to participate in the pageant as well.

Reenactors met at 6 p.m. Friday, May 27, for one rehearsal. Only about one-quarter of those who will later perform are usually present at the rehearsal, which is not mandatory.

Fort Michilimackinac Pageant, Inc. is a non-profit group solely devoted to re-creating and promoting the history of the Mackinac Straits area. Donations are solicited at the Pageant and throughout the year. Other money for the pageant comes from grants, donations from local businesses, and from fundraisers.

The performers make most of the costumes they wear. The pageant provides all of the soldier uniforms to insure historical accuracy.

Everybody is welcome to become involved in the pageant, and limited costumes are available for people who would like to become involved but do not have a costume made.

The pageant was hosted by Mackinac State Historic Parks. In addition to the parade and pageant, there were knife throwing demonstrations, contests, and fireworks Sunday, May 29.

Parade winners

Grand Prize: Benton Harbor High School Tiger Marching Band

Mayor’s Award: Saginaw High School Trojan Marching Band

Best Float: Alpenfest

Best High School Ban: West Ottawa High School Band

Most Humorous: Scottville Clown Band

President’s Choice: Addison High School Band

Legion Choice: Calumet High School Jr. ROTC

Ambassador Award: Newman Navy League, Cadet Corps #30

Queen’s Trophy: Bandettes All-Girl Drum & Bugle Corps

Best Local Float: Mackinaw City Ambassadors