Oct. 5 – See Fall Colors with a McGulpin Point Lighthouse Tour
Come enjoy a self-guided tour at McGulpin Point Lighthouse and experience the beautiful Northern Michigan color change in one of the most unique ways. Admission is $3 a person and includes a surprise Fall treat. The lighthouse gift shop will also Fall Sales on select items.
Oct. 5, Oct. 12 – Camp Petosega to Host Trick-or-Treating, Haunted Trail
Campers and the public are invited to join Emmet County Parks and Recreation staff at Camp Petosega for back-to-back weekends of Halloween fun. The annual trick-or-treating will be held throughout the campground Saturday, Oct. 5, and Saturday, Oct. 12, from 5-7 p.m.
Following trick-or-treating, the park staff and volunteers will keep the Halloween spirit going with a haunted trail, available from 7-9 p.m. Flashlights will not be provided and guests are encouraged to bring their own lights. Please note traffic will be restricted inside the campground from 4:30-7:15 p.m. to ensure the safety of trick-or-treaters.
The park will also offer free hot dogs, chips and drinks at Camp Petosega’s main office starting at 6 p.m.
The campground is also seeking a few extra volunteers to help boost the fun factor on the haunted trail. Please call the Emmet County Parks and Recreation program coordinator at (231) 340-1191 with any questions about the events or to volunteer. Follow Camp Petosega Facebook page for updates.
Oct. 26 – Are you ready for the Headlands Challenge?
The Headlands International Dark Sky Park will host its 11th annual “Headlands Challenge” Saturday, Oct. 26, when visitors will be encouraged to walk the one-mile paved path into the Waterfront Event Center.
During the annual event, traffic to the center will be closed to cars from 7-9 p.m. to allow participants in the “Headlands Challenge” to safely walk in and out of the park using only luminaries lining the road and the moonlight to guide them to the event center. Upon arrival at the event center, guests will enjoy an evening of surprises and fun to celebrate the completion of the walk.
Weather-permitting, free guided observing will take place after dark until approximately midnight with the telescopes outside and staff astronomers on hand to help guide observers.
For more information on this event, please call the program coordinator at (231) 340-1191. Be sure to follow the Headlands International Dark Sky Park Facebook page for more updates, news, photos, and more.
Nov. 30 – Holiday Craft Show at Fairgrounds to Benefit Brother Dan’s
Emmet County Fairgrounds is hosting the annual Handmade Holiday Craft Show to benefit Brother Dan’s Food Pantry Saturday, Nov. 30. The event will run from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. with concessions available all day. Admission is $2 a person or a contribution of at least one non-perishable food item.
Enjoy the craft show in the fairgrounds community building with local vendors like Gerber’s Homemade Sweets, Stoned by Pam, and Rebecca & Kirk’s Stone Art, and others.
Charlevoix-based Gerber’s Homemade Sweets makes an assortment of treats including pasties, candies, and maple syrup along with aprons, scrubbies, and much more. Stoned by Pam, from Cheboygan, creates a variety of stoned décor including picture frames, tissue boxes, crosses, and anchors. Rebecca & Kirk’s Stone Art, from Onaway, makes collections of Petoskey stone and pudding stone jewelry.
As with previous years, 100 percent of admission fees, non-perishable food items and concession sales will go to Brother Dan’s Food Pantry to help support its efforts during the holiday season.
Vendors interested in setting up a booth for the craft show may contact the Emmet County Parks and Recreation Fairgrounds Coordinator at (231) 348-5479 for more information. Updated information about the event will also be posted to the Emmet County Fairgrounds Facebook page.
Dec. 7 – Holiday Tours at McGulpin Point Lighthouse
Come and enjoy a classically-decorated tour of the McGulpin Point Lighthouse. The lighthouse will be open from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. and will feature period-specific holiday decorations to ring in the season. Admission is $3 a person.