MEETINGS & EVENTS CALENDAR
Please note — You can change the way you view the calendar in the drop-down button on the top right above the calendar. By default, the calendar is now displayed in “agenda” mode. Other options include viewing by month, week or day.
The next few years could bring the best northern lights viewing to Michigan in 20 years! Ross Ellet will explain his strategies for successfully chasing the Aurora in recent years and how to photograph them with a camera and smart phone. Entry is free!
What is Astrobiology? What role does the James Webb Space Telescope play in this field? Find out by joining us at the Waterfront Event Center where University of Arizona, Student, Veronica Klawender will give a presentation on the topic. Entry is free!
Join us at the Headlands Waterfront Event Center where we will be discussing a brief history of comets, how best to observe them, and what equipment will be needed for observation.
In this talk, Polar geologist Jamey Stutz will draw connections between the glacial landscape of Northern Michigan and the massive Antarctic Ice Sheet and show how the world’s largest chunk of ice not only regulates global sea level but sets the stage for Astronomers to look, listen and feel into deep space. This talk is family-friendly, and Antarctic rock samples and polar gear will be on display for all.
McGulpin Point Lighthouse Holiday Open House
December 9, 11-3 pm
500 Headlands Rd. Mackinaw City, 49701
Take a free self-guided tour of a festive and historic 19th-century lighthouse.
The gift shop will also be open and we invite you to enjoy the complimentary cookies and hot cocoa* while you shop.
View the wintery Straits of Mackinac from the top of the lighthouse tower.
*cookies and cocoa are available while supplies last
Annual Ice Fishing Day – Camp Petosega – 2/17/24 – 12pm – 4pm – Emmet County Parks and Recreation is hosting the annual free Ice Fishing Day for Kids at Camp Pet-o-se-ga. The event takes place Saturday, Feb. 17, from noon to 4 p.m. and coincides with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ free fishing weekend. Kids in kindergarten through eighth grade along with their parents or guardians are welcome to join us for an afternoon of ice fishing and fun. We supply the fishing gear and bait while parents supply the warmly dressed kids. Please note that parents must remain with their children throughout the event. Volunteers will be helping kids with baiting and fishing.
Participants will be able to get warmed up in the campground Rec Hall with free snacks and hot cocoa. If the outside temperature (including wind chill factor) is below zero degrees, the event will be held on Sunday, Feb. 18.
Cancelled
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Aurora Chasers Workshop – Headlands International Dark Sky Park – 3/16/24 – 12pm – Join us on March 16 for the 2nd Annual Michigan Aurora Chasers Workshop! Registration is required, but the event is free. Dinner will be provided at an additional cost.
Register Here
Fairgrounds Egg Scramble – Emmet County Fairgrounds – 3/30/24 – 11pm – Hop on over to the Emmet County Fairgrounds Community Building for a fun afternoon that kids and adults will enjoy! Bring your own baskets for a one time egg hunt! Hunts will be separated by age group and in their own respective zones. The Great Start Collaborative will also be in attendance. We ask people who come, to bring books to donate for their FreeCycle Book Project! For more information, email [email protected] or call (231) 348-5479.
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The OSIRIS-REx Mission- Headlands International Dark Sky Park – 5/22/24 – 7pm – 8pm – Join us at the Waterfront Event Center for a presentation on OSIRIS-REx, the first U.S. mission to collect a sample from an asteroid. It returned to Earth on Sept. 24, 2023, to drop off material from asteroid Bennu. The spacecraft didn’t land but has continued on a new mission, OSIRIS-APEX, to explore asteroid Apophis. Meanwhile, scientists are analyzing the Bennu sample OSIRIS-REx dropped into the Utah desert for clues to whether asteroids colliding with Earth billions of years ago brought water and other key ingredients for life here.
Navigating Through The Night Sky- Headlands International Dark Sky Park – 5/29/24 – 7pm – 8pm – Finding objects in the night sky using prominent stars and constellations can be a rewarding and awe-inspiring experience for stargazers. Using well-known constellations, we use their key stars as reference points to navigate the surrounding celestial expanse. Star-hopping is a technique where you move from one bright star to another, gradually reaching your target. At the Waterfront Event Center, we will demonstrate how mobile apps and sky maps can assist in the real-time identification of celestial objects, making the process of discovering the wonders of the night sky both accessible and enjoyable.
The Experience of “Totality” – Headlands International Dark Sky Park – 6/5/24 – 7pm – 8pm – Join us and NASA JPL Ambassador, Mick Groszko, at the Headlands Waterfront Event Center for a look back at “Totality”, the total solar eclipse from April 8th, 2024.
Comets and Broom Stars of the Night Sky with Kevin Dehne – Headlands International Dark Sky Park – 6/6/24 – 7pm – 8pm – Join us at the Headlands Waterfront Event Center where Kevin Dehne will be discussing a brief history of comets, how best to observe them, and the equipment needed for observation. This presentation will also include an active demonstration of comet making!
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Fly Fishing Demonstration with Trout Unlimited – Camp Petosega – 6/8/24 – 1pm – 3pm Interested in learning how to fly fish? Join Trout Unlimited and our Parks and Recreation staff for an evening workshop at Camp Petosega’s Pavilion. No pre-registration or equipment required. Entry is free!
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Father’s Day Pancake Breakfast – Camp Petosega – 6/16/24 – 9am -11 am – Each year, Emmet County Parks and Recreation invites the public and campers to a free pancake and sausage breakfast for Father’s Day at Camp Pet-O-Se-Ga. Breakfast will run 9 to 11AM on Sunday, June 16.
There is no charge for the breakfast. Campers are invited to enjoy breakfast at Camp Petosega’s Rec Hall. Come while supply lasts!
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Introduction to Astronomy with Angie Morthland – Headlands International Dark Sky Park – 6/26/24 – 8pm – 9pm -Are you interested in celestial objects, space, and what the universe has to offer as a whole? Join Angie Morthland at the Headlands Waterfront Event Center for a fun introduction to Astronomy fit for all ages!
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Petosega 5K Fun Run – Camp Petosega – 6/29/24 – 9am -Come join Emmet County Parks and Recreation for a 5K run and walk for all ages which will benefit our local parks and facilities. Wear red, white, and blue in celebration of Independence Day! This will take place at Camp Petosega in Alanson, Michigan on the cross country trail. Early registration fee is $15 and $25 for signing up on the day of the event. Register early to secure a T-shirt while supply lasts. Find the application at HERE and for more information, email Austin from our Parks Department.
Satellites, Starlink, and Space Junk with Aurelian Balan – Headlands International Dark Sky Park – 7/11/24 – 8pm – 9pm – Remember gazing at the Milky Way and wishing on a shooting star? You might be wishing on a SpaceX Starlink satellite instead! The number of satellites orbiting Earth is skyrocketing, driven by ambitious projects and growing demand for global internet access, Earth observation, and scientific research. This new space race is changing the face of the night sky, but what does it mean for us here on Earth? Join Aurelian Balan, Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Delta College, for a fascinating presentation exploring the satellite boom, its impact on our planet, and the challenges and advances it presents. Learn about the constellations of the future, the race for the final frontier, and what it means for the stars we wish upon. Don’t miss this chance to get your head in the clouds and look up at the fascinating future unfolding above you!
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Summer Craft Show – Emmet County Fairgrounds – 7/13/24 – 9am – 4pm – Join us on Saturday, July 13th, from 9 am to 4 pm to enjoy a summer craft show at the Emmet County Fairgrounds. The Fairgrounds will host both local and guest vendors featuring a variety of jewelry, home goods, food, and more. Entry is $2 or a non-perishable food item. Interested in becoming a vendor? Call the Fairgrounds at (231) 348-5479.
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In this talk at the Headlands Waterfront Event Center, Polar geologist Jamey Stutz will draw connections between the glacial landscape of Northern Michigan and the massive Antarctic Ice Sheet and show how the world’s largest chunk of ice not only regulates global sea level but sets the stage for Astronomers to look, listen and feel into deep space. This talk is family-friendly, with Antarctic rock samples and polar gear on display for all.
Cruise-In Car Show – Emmet County Fairgrounds – 7/21/24 – 10am – 1pm – Emmet County Parks and Recreation is hosting a car show at the Emmet County Fairgrounds on Sunday, July 21, from 10 AM to 1 PM. Gates open at 9 AM the day of the event for vehicle registration. There is no pre-registration. Admission to the event is free for the general public. Participants will be required to pay a $15 fee per vehicle entered. Trophies will be awarded with door prizes given out throughout the day. For more information, please call the Programming and Sales coordinator at (231) 348-5479 or email [email protected].
Introduction to Astrophotography – Headlands International Dark Sky Park – 7/24/24 – 8:30pm – 9:30pm – Learn the basics of Astrophotography with an introductory session lead by NASA/JPL Ambassadors, Rod Cortright and Mick Groszko.
Mysteries of the Southern Skies with Norbert Vance – Headlands International Dark Sky Park – 7/31/24 – 8pm – 9pm – Peoples of the southern hemisphere see the Southern Cross, the Sun’s nearest neighboring star, Alpha Centauri, the supposed destination of the 60’s fictional Robinson family in “Lost in Space” and grandeur that is the center of our Milky Way galaxy, but they can never see the Little Dipper nor North Star. The Big Dipper is alien to them. We will extend our view below the southern horizon visible from the Headlands to see what treasures we are missing, and also the amazing visions they cannot see from our northerly perch that we take for granted.
Headlands Light’s Out Challenge –Headlands International Dark Sky Park – 8/4/24 – 10pm – 11pm – Once again, Emmet County’s Headlands International Dark Sky Park challenges the communities around Northern Michigan to turn off their lights so that we can try to get the darkest sky ever recorded at the Headlands. This challenge will take place in the 10 to 11pm hour on the night of the new moon when the sky is normally the darkest all month. Please note that participation is voluntary, so help us get the word out! The ‘Light’s Out Challenge’ is designed to help raise awareness about the effects of artificial light at night on nocturnal habitat, human health, and the way we use our energy resources.
National Lighthouse Day Open House – McGulpin Point Lighthouse – 8/7/24 – 10am – 5pm – Join us for spectacular views of the Straits of Mackinac with a free, self-guided tour to the top of the lighthouse tower in celebration of National Lighthouse Day! Enjoy complimentary food and refreshments while supplies last.
Why Do We Have Meteor Showers? – Headlands International Dark Sky Park – 8/7/24 – 8:30pm – 9:30pm -Rod Cortright, NASA/JPL Ambassador, will discuss the origins of meteor showers and why they occur on a regular basis throughout the year. Entry is free!
How Cold is Outer Space? With Kevin Dehne – Headlands International Dark Sky Park – 8/14/24 – 8pm – 9pm – Join us at the Headlands Waterfront Event Center for a very active presentation using liquid nitrogen to demonstrate how cold outer space is. The presentation will include a basic description of how the Sun’s distance affects the temperatures of each planet and the impact this has on humans’ ability to study the planets with space probes will be examined.
James Webb Space Telescope Mission Update – Headlands International Dark Sky Park – 8/21/24 – 8:30pm – 9:30pm – James Webb Space Telescope has been fully operational for over a year now. Launched on Christmas Day, 2021, it is the first of the next generation of space telescopes. This presentation by NOMAC at the Waterfront Event Center will explore the technology of this new instrument and the significant discoveries it has made to date.
Stellar Evolution in Depth – Headlands International Dark Sky Park – 9/4/24 – 7pm – 8pm – Join us and NASA JPL Ambassador, Mick Grozsko, at the Headlands Waterfront Event Center for an in depth look at the process by which stars change over time.
Latest Discoveries for the Search of Life – Headlands International Dark Sky Park – 9/11/24 – 7pm – 8pm – Join us and NASA/JPL Ambassador, Mick Groszko, at the Headlands Waterfront Event Center for a presentation on our latest discoveries of life in our Solar System.
Join us and Robyn Porteen, Dark Sky International Delegate and Chapter Lead, at the Headlands Waterfront Event Center where we will touch upon how the sky was used in early navigation, how indigenous peoples from North America to Australia used stories and lore to teach generations, and lastly, how the night sky has played an important role in for Humanity through art, music, and literature.