Lilacs Peak For Festival; Melissa Bunker Crowned Queen
57th Lilac Festival Grand Parade Sunday, June 18
By Bernie Nguyen

Participating in Lilac Festival opening ceremonies at Marquette Park are Lilac Princess Keely Johnson (in front) and, from left, second row, Miss Teen of Michigan Nicole Hinchman, Lilac Queen Melissa Bunker, Emily St. Onge, Christina McClean, and Miranda McMahon, and in back, Karlena Mosley, Kristi Kamphuis, and 2005 Lilac Queen Blisse Beardsley.

Beautiful lilacs in full bloom and sunny days greeted the 57th Mackinac Island Lilac Festival last week, and this weekend culminates 10 days of fun, color, and music as the Grand Parade marches its way through town Sunday, June 18, at 4 p.m.

Jazzy strains of music inaugurated the festival last Friday, June 9, with opening ceremonies held in Marquette Park. For an hour before the festival's official opening with the crowning of the Lilac Queen Melissa Bunker, Grand Hotel jazz musicians, led by Music Director Alex Graham, entertained viewers on the lawn with bluesy versions of classic melodies.

Mayor Margaret Doud, Father Rey Garcia of Ste. Anne's, and the Reverend Vincent Carroll of Little Stone Church were present at the coronation, with special guest Nicole Hinchman, Miss Teen of Michigan 2006. Ms. Hinchman, who is from Clinton Township, said she had visited the Island before as a child and finds it to

Alex Graham and Grand Hotel musicians entertained the crowd with a musical introduction to the opening of the 2006 Lilac Festival Friday, June 9, in Marquette Park.

be "absolutely beautiful," and that she was grateful for the opportunity to help welcome the new Lilac Queen.

Mayor Doud said the Lilac Festival is a special part of Mackinac Island after its creation by Stella King and said the best way to enjoy the festival is simply to "have a good time."

Prayers were offered by Rev. Carroll and Father Rey, and Tourism Bureau Director Mary Slevin introduced last year's queen, Blisse Beardsley, and the Queen's Court for 2006, Emily St. Onge, Christina McLean, Kristi Kamphuis, Karlena Mosley, and Miranda McMahon. Each girl walked up the lawn to stand on the steps of the statue of Father Marquette before Ms. Slevin introduced Lilac Princess Keely Johnson, the daughter of Jeff and Meg Ferguson, who was crowned by Mayor Doud. Melissa Bunker, the Lilac Queen 2006, was crowned by Blisse Beardsley.

Lilac Queen Melissa Bunker and Princess Keely Johnson.

Each girl received a gift bag from Island businesses. Weber's Florists contributed all the flowers for the coronation and will also provide the flowers for parade day. Harrisonville General Store gave each girl a gift, and the members of the court also received a savings bond from Central Savings Bank, lunch at the Mustang Lounge, and breakfast at Island house. The Lilac Queen also received dinner at Grand Hotel and a spa treatment from the Lilac Tree Spa. All the girls will have their hair styled for the parade by 7th Heaven Salon.

A special party, the Queen's Rave, was held at the Lilac Tree Hotel and Spa at 9 p.m. the night of the coronation to allow the Queen and her Court to celebrate in style.

Ms. Bunker's duties as Lilac Queen will extend until next year's queen is crowned. Her duties will include taking part in the Taste of Mackinac and opening Fort Mackinac at the beginning of the season next May, as well as representing Mackinac Island at any off-Island events she may attend. During the Festival, she will ride on the Lilac Queen float in the Grand Parade and help embody the festive spirit of Mackinac during lilac time.

On Friday, June 16, the 4-H club will hold a lemonade fundraiser and stable tour at Mission Hill Stable, with a Blessing of the Horses at 5 p.m.

Kid's Day at Fort Mackinac on Saturday, June 17, will require admission to the Fort and runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. At 1 p.m., the Epona and Barkus Parade will be held on the boardwalk, followed by the Dog and Pony Show and the Barkitecture Auction at Windermere Point from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Later on, an ice cream social with Barrington Children's Choir will be held on the promenade deck at Mission Point Resort from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., and a Hayride provided by Mackinac Island Carriage Tours will take place at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 18, is the Great Kite Ascension, which takes place from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Windermere Point. The Lilac Festival free concert series will be held in two parts, with a Barrington Children's Choir concert at Mission Church at noon and a parade bands overture at Marquette Park at 1 p.m.

In the Lilac Festival Grand Parade at 4 p.m., Larry and Terri Smith will bring their Country Road Haflingers and the Laddmariel Haflingers will also be present.

Six Belgians will also be marching in the parade, brought by Brian and Ashley DeLoof, who are returning to the Island for the first time in 10 years.

Jann Normington, with the Michigan Horsedrawn Vehicle Association, will also be bringing four new single hitches and a pony.

Don Andress will lead the parade, as he has done for 35 years, and will be followed by his brother, Carl Andress, John Perault, Tony Miron, and Heather Bazinau.