Mackinac Island, Essay Example

Cultural events are indispensable parts of our lives as they help us keep smiling and awake happy memories of an exciting pastime we had no matter where we were. One of the places that are impossible to forget is Mackinac Island. Mackinac Island itself is a marvelous place located on Lake Huron in Northern Michigan and is splendid in many ways. The island is famous for its sights, astonishing nature, movie “Somewhere InTime”as well as the magnificent Lilac Festival.

Lilac festival is an annual cultural event, with rich culture history, established in 1949 with the idea to attract people to the Island to experience a swell horse parade amidst the adorable lilacs that flavor the Island in the beginning of the summer.  What began as a one day event has now grown into ten day holiday.

There is something to do for everyone during the festival daysas there are numerous types of activities for each and every visitor. The event has a strict timetable and all the activities have a set time frame, which, in fact, has become one of the perfect organizational examples.  First day starts at 7am with the Sunrise Legends and Lore Trek then you find yourself enjoying the island artists and learning about Mackinac Island lilacs. One of the must-see things on the island is a scenic beauty sunset, which is never the same but always glorious. Night is about time for Grand Hotel Orchestra and the down town entertainment.

In my opinion it is next to impossible to enlist all of the events, visiting all of them is even harder, but as far as I`m concerned, the Lion`s Club bingo, Gate House Jazz and Wine night, Governor`s Summer Residence Tour are among the activities everyone can enjoy.

Personally I can`t imagine the festival without the “Taste of Mackinac”. It’s one of the most anticipated culinary events with Chefs from around the Mackinac representing their best-loved dishes. Straits of Mackinac are absolutely fantastic when making it round the island on ferry, the Harbor History Cruise is a chance to admire the beauty of the Mackinac and the neighboring Round Island (named for its shape).

Wildlife has always been part of the island, since horses and bikes are the only means of transportation and dogs are true friends, locals have even the blessing ceremony and wonderful pony and pooch performances.

Organizers do their best to make the festival more and more interesting and some of the events have become a tradition while others seem to change from year to year. Among the traditions starting from 1949 I can`t but mention the choosing of Lilac festival Queen. Back in days the police booth was used to post the photographs of the Lilac Queen candidates and it was up to public to select candidates.  Nowadays the Lilac Queen is chosen from the students of the Mackinac Island Public School. The majority of the candidates are juniors and seniors. Being a Queen means having duties which sound like pleasure, they are: welcoming guests, riding the Lilac Festival parade and making appearances in community events for a year.

All in all,visiting the Lilac Festival is one of the activities that are admired by millions of people from all over the worldas the moments of joy and happiness are the best memories the participants get to experience. No matter what age or status all of them are,everyone has one thing in common – once entering the Lilac, will keep you smile for a long time.