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The National Cherry Festival!  Traverse City June 30th-July 4th 2018!

 

 

 

Who doesn’t love cherries! Over ice cream, in cocktails, as jams and jellies or just eating them by the handful – yummmmmm – cherries! Traverse City hosts the oldest, biggest cherry festival of the region. This party features over 150 family activities: air shows, fireworks, parades (including the nation’s largest all-children parade) games, races, midway rides, demonstrations, nightly outdoor concerts and lots of chances to taste delicious cherry products. Now in its 92nd year, the Cherry Festival is Traverse City’s signature event, drawing as many as 500,000 attendees from around the country.  Everything is located conveniently within walking distance, and since almost all the events are free, it offers more than a week of affordable family fun. For more information about the cherry festival, go to https://www.cherryfestival.org/

Freshwater Vacation Rentals has several cottages that you can rent for your stay. After a day at the festival come back to the comfort of a cottage to relax, swim, fish and possibly eat even more cherries! Check out our website for availability at Sugarloaf Sweet Retreat, Torch River Retreat, Captain Fran’s, Black Bear Lodge on the Au Sable and even more a short driving distance north from Traverse City.

Wings Over Northern Michigan
June 16-17, 2018
If you are looking for something fun to do over Father’s Day, near Gaylord, Michigan,look no further than Wings Over Michigan. It futures the Aerostars Aerobatic Team,which performs tight, awe-inspiring formation aerial maneuvers and the Canadian Skyhawks, who are the Canadian Armed Forces Parachute Team. They are Canada’s only military parachute demonstration team. For over 40 years the Skyhawks have represented the Canadian Armed Forces to over 75 million spectators by performing their aerobatic parachute formations. You can even experience flight yourself. The Yankee Air Museum will offer living history flight experiences on board the pristine Boeing B-17G “Yankee Lady” for $450.00 per person during its appearance at the Wings Over Northern Michigan Air Show. These rides provide a person with a multi-sensory, immersive experience in the type of World War II aircraft commonly called a Flying Fortress.  If you are into cars, Precision Exotics will be there offering you the opportunity to drive the most recognizable exotic cars in the world. Check out cottages to stay in through FRESHWATER VACATION RENTALS. You can find more information about the event by going to: https://wingsovernorthernmichigan.org/

MACKINAC ISLAND – “THE JEWEL OF THE GREAT LAKES”

Mackinac Island is a treasure for historians, water sport enthusiasts, foodies and people who simply love sensory splendor. There are 500 year-round residents on the island which covers 3.8 square miles and is 80% state park. Conde Nast Traveller calls it “one of the top 10 islands in the world.” It is located just over the Mackinac Bridge which separates Michigan’s lower and upper peninsulas, on the U.P. side. No cars are allowed on the island, so a ferry provides your transportation ($26 per adult)

If you know anything at all about Mackinac Island, you know that it is famous for its fudge -creamy, sinfully delicious fudge. It comes in so many different flavors – French Vanilla,Amaretto Chocolate Chip, Butter Pecan, Peanut Butter, Chocolate Nut and Plain Chocolate just to name a few. Be sure to enjoy the annual Mackinac Island Fudge Festival. It’s an unforgettable sensory experience August 24 – August 26.

The Island is also know for its horse drawn carriages, which is a magnificent way to tour the island. If instead you want to get some exercise while touring, rent one of the 1500 bikes on the island or you can always take your own bike aboard the ferry for a nominal fee. There are over 70 miles of natural and paved paths for biking and hiking over and around the island.

The Grand Hotel is a national historic landmark and its majesty is breath taking. It first opened in 1887 and hosts the worlds longest porch. In 1895 Mark Twain lectured in the hotel, and the 1980 film, Somewhere in Time, starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour, was filmed at the hotel. The Grand is known for its scrumptious afternoon tea served between 3:30– 5:00 p.m. in the hotel’s Parlor ($48.00 per guest). Those who are not hotel guests may pay an additional $10.00 to enjoy this delightful experience.

History buffs are drawn to explore Fort Mackinac and Fort Holmes, while those interested in water sports can go sailing, kayaking, fishing and even parasailing! You will not be bored when you go the Mackinac Island.

Freshwater Vacation Rentals has cabins and cottages a short drive from Mackinac Island. Check out Eagle Point Cottage, East Lake Cottage, Lake House Oasis, Northern Lake Michigan Getaway, Cabin in the Dunes, Indian Lake Cabins, Emerald Lake House, Riverdale Hideaway, Merry Mullett Lake House, Black Lake Sunset Dreams and Nettie Bay Resort properties.

Quilt Tours in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula!

If you are looking for a unique Michigan adventure, there is a wonderful Manistee River Valley Quilt Tour, designed by community members, to honor the history of the community. It consists of 8 barn quilts, spanning 30 miles of beautiful Michigan countryside. The self-guided tour takes approximately 2 hours. Freshwater Vacation Rentals, a property management company with over 70 vacation rental properties throughout Michigan, has multiple lovely cabins and cottages within driving distance of the barns, where you can stay in comfort as you venture forth on this quilt tour: Cadillac Long Lake, Houghton Lake Chalet, Houghton Lake Hideaway, Sugar Loaf Sweet Retreat , Black Bear and Torch River Retreat!  You cannot beat the beauty of Michigan! Please contact us for directions.

 

ANN ARBOR 49TH ANNUAL SUMMER ART FAIR
JULY 19 – 22nd, 2018
10am – 9pm daily
The Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair is a tradition not to be missed. It attracts over 500,00 visitors each year, and features more than 1,000 professional artists. This is a juried, fine arts event featuring members of The Guild of Artists and Artisans. There are art demonstrations, great food and entertainment. The people watching is the best ever! There is an energy in the crowds that is PURE MICHIGAN inspiration. FRESHWATER VACATION RENTALS  has a cottage nearby that is within driving distance of Ann Arbor to make your stay even more comfortable . For more information on the art fair go to: https://www.theguild.org/fairs/ann-arbor-art-fair/