FAIR TIME magazine 2014 offers complete details for the fun-filled Fair Week Aug. 19-24!

We're only about a month away from the 109th annual Emmet-Charlevoix County Fair! And the excitement keeps growing each year with new events and old favorites drawing thousands to the Petoskey Fairgrounds each August.

This year's Fair events for the public take place Aug. 19-24. Highlights include Country Music Star JOE NICHOLS in concert on Thursday, Aug. 21, beginning at 7 p.m. with opening act Ryan Broshear.

Hear Joe Nichols' new hit, "Yeah," by clicking here, currently No. 8 on Billboard's Top 10 country songs! (Click here for ticket info)

Also new to the 2014 Fair: Rodeo action! Head to the Grandstand on Wednesday evening, Aug. 20, for KP Rodeo excitement with the Michigan High School Rodeo Association's show beginning at 7 p.m.

Back as fan-favorites are the Autocross races on Friday, Aug. 22, and the Monster Truck Shoot-out on Saturday, Aug. 23!

And special to this year's Fair Time magazine, read about  Agnes Shaw's 20 years as Fair Manager.

For complete ticket and event information, click on the PDF below of Fair Time magazine or visit the home page of the Fair at www.emmetcounty.org/fair/

FAIR TIME 2014

Got Milky Way? We do! Join Emmet County for New Moon stargazing at Headlands Saturday, July 26

The Milky Way above the Headlands/Gary Appold photo

The darkest time of month means the best stargazing in Northwest Michigan at the Headlands!

Details
Location: Dark Sky Viewing Area
Time: 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Food: Etta's restaurant will be on-site with selling food (sandwiches, hot dogs and more) from its vending truck

For summer stargazers in Northern Michigan, the end of July inaugurates one of the most gratifying experiences of the season: Views to the thickest part of the Milky Way Galaxy.

“In May, the Milky Way is as flat around the horizon as it can get, and seems to disappear from our view. Then, as though adorning the mighty wings of the constellation Cygnus, the swan, rising in the northeast each evening, the Milky Way’s river of stars arcs up overhead, opening views of our celestial environment with awe and wonder,” said Mary Stewart Adams, Dark Sky Park Program Director at the Headlands International Dark Sky Park in Mackinaw City.

To celebrate the beauty of this time of year from the celestial perspective, the Headlands is hosting a New Moon Stargazing event from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, at the park located 2 miles west of downtown Mackinaw. It is free and open to the public, and takes place rain or shine.

READ COMPLETE PROGRAM DETAILS BY CLICKING HERE!

Marty Krupa officially named Emmet County Administrator

The Emmet County Board of Commissioners on Thursday, July 17, unanimously approved the hiring of Marty Krupa as the County Administrator.

The position was formerly known as Controller. The title was changed by the Board to reflect the broader duties of the position and is a more common title used by municipalities in Michigan.

“I feel honored to have the Board’s support in taking on this position,” said Krupa. “I’m looking forward to carrying on the many exciting projects we have going on in Emmet County and working with the staff across all departments. We have a very thoughtful, forward-thinking Board of Commissioners who I enjoy working with and who I’ve gotten to know and respect during my time with the county.

"We are fortunate to live in a place with so much positive momentum and I’m proud to have a role in continuing our successes.”

Krupa, 50, is an Emmet County native, born in Petoskey and raised in Cross Village where he lives today with his wife, Sarah, and three children, Nichole, Lindsey, and Ben. He graduated from Harbor Springs High School in 1982.

Krupa graduated from Ferris State College (now University) in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He first started working for the County from April 1991-99 as the Finance Director and later returned to the County in January 2007 as Assistant County Controller and Human Resources Director.

Krupa takes the position as Administrator after the unexpected death of former Controller Lyn Johnson, who passed away in January of this year after 30 years at the helm of the County.

“Having worked side by side with Lyn for many years, this is a bittersweet moment for me. He was a strong leader for this county and set in motion many of the successes we experience today,” said Krupa. “He would often say, ‘What will it look like here 20 years down the road?’ I will work hard to make sure we continue envisioning how the county will look down the road, as Lyn strived to do.”

Commissioners supported the hiring decision in a 7-0 vote. Krupa was offered a 2-year contract by the Board, effective immediately.

"After interviewing all the final candidates for the Administrator of Emmet County Mr. Krupa stood out in my mind as the best-fitted to lead  us forward," said Commissioner Dan Plasencia, District 4. "Marty is well-qualified and experienced and has played a major role in forming our vision to continue making Emmet County the best place to live and prosper."

Turn the Lights Out, Northern Michigan!

Take part in the Lights Out Challenge between the Little Traverse Bay communities of Petoskey and Harbor Springs, and the Straits of Mackinac towns of Mackinaw City and St. Ignace on July 29, 2014!

You've been wowed with fireworks, you've been awed by laser light shows, you've sent your wishes aloft on Chinese lanterns. And now, it’s time to celebrate the majesty of the dark!

Last year, in celebration of the night sky enjoyed near the Headlands International Dark Sky Park in Mackinaw City, Emmet County launched the Lights Out Across the Straits Challenge. The communities of St. Ignace and Mackinaw City, along with support of the Mackinac Bridge Authority, jumped on board and switched off their lights from 10:30 to 11:30 p.m. during the Perseid Meteor Shower peak. This fun, optional effort endeavored to demonstrate the importance of proper lighting and how beautiful the night sky is above Northern Michigan when undiluted by light pollution.

Now for 2014, Emmet County is expanding the Lights Out Challenge and encouraging the citizens and business-owners of the communities of Petoskey and Harbor Springs in a cross-Bay challenge!

Both events take place on the night of Tuesday, July 29. Below are links to complete details for each community, including pledge forms and details you can use to encourage your neighbors to shut off their lights for one hour, from 10:30 to 11:30 p.m., on this night of the peak of the Delta Aquarid Meteor Shower.

Which community will achieve greatest darkness? Stay tuned! Questions? Call (231) 348-1704 or email info@emmetcounty.org

LIGHTS OUT ACROSS THE BAY CHALLENGE
Details and pledge form at this link

LIGHTS OUT ACROSS THE STRAITS CHALLENGE
Details and pledge form at this link

2014 Emmet County Photo Contest: The WATERS of Northwest Michigan!

Sunset reflects in the waters of Pickerel Lake, at Camp Petosega.

If there is one attribute that defines Emmet County – both geographically and in the hearts and minds of its residents and visitors – it’s the abundance of water in Northwest Michigan. In the tip of Michigan’s mitten, the Great Lakes are a constant presence, and our inland lakes, rivers and wetlands are magnificent natural resources that are the source of recreation, pride and protection.

To celebrate our unique water resources, Emmet County is holding its second-annual photo contest, Emmet County Waters. This follows on the heels of the successful 2013 Emmet County Skies photo contest, which drew photographic entries for more than 50 area photographers. The winner of the Skies photo contest was MaryJo Maguire of Harbor Springs, with her unequaled shot of clouds and sunlight amassing over Little Traverse Bay.

The Emmet County Waters contest will operate the same as the Skies challenge: Through November 30, 2014, please send your Waters photos via email to beckerle@emmetcounty.org

Please include location where photo was taken with your submission.  Residents and visitors are welcomed to participate, but the photos MUST be taken within the boundaries of Emmet County. The contest does include Lake Michigan and the Straits of Mackinac including and to the west of the Mackinac Bridge.

For complete contest details, click here!

Imagine magazine 2014

PRINT AND DIGITAL VERSION NOW AVAILABLE!
 

We are thrilled to distribute the 2014-15 issue of Emmet County's annual promotional magazine, Imagine! 

Emmet County's annual magazine, Imagine, features the people, places, organizations and communities that make Emmet County a one-of-a-kind place to live, work and play. Up here, quality of life is everything.

This year's magazine, published by Harbor House Publishers in Boyne City, also includes a number of enhancements, including numerous videos that further showcase the unparalleled natural beauty and the residents who are invested in making Northwest Michigan a place like no other. An expanded section on the features of Emmet County is also a new addition to this sixth annual edition.

This year's cover image was captured by Harbor House Publishers photographer Philip Hutchinson, along the famed Inland Waterway, a 30+ mile of chain of inland lakes and rivers that begins in Emmet County and flows northeasterly out to Lake Huron. It's one of Emmet County's most beautiful natural assets and is the perfect reflection of life Up North!

To have a complimentary copy of Imagine magazine mailed to you, contact its writer/editor Beth Anne Eckerle with your mailing address: beckerle@emmetcounty.org, or (231) 348-1704.