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Mackinac Island Fudge Festival – August 25 – 27, 2023

Calling all Fudgies!!!

For more than a century, Mackinac Island’s fudge has been an institution that’s become famous worldwide. Fudge devotees are known as “fudgies” – a term that is also synonymous with Northern Michigan tourists. Most people don’t need an excuse to indulge in a piece or two of creamy, decadent fudge.

But, for those who do, the Mackinac Island Fudge Festival which takes place each August, offers Island dwellers and tourists a terrific reason to celebrate fudge – made fresh each day at Mackinac’s multitude of fudge shops.

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We have new activities planned for this year’s festival including a Fudge Quest, chance to be a fudge maker for the day, and fudge-olympics!

More information coming soon!

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Visit Mackinac Island Fudge Festival Website >>>>

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Mackinac Island Fudge Festival – Photo Gallery (Click on photos for captions & slideshow view)
 

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Fudge, heated in a copper kettle is poured onto the marble slab and allowed to cool and thicken at Joann&#039;s Fudge of Mackinac Island.
Carnel uses a long paddle to stir and smooth the fudge as it cools on the marble slab at Original Murdick&#039;s Fudge.
Aaron works the mixture around the table with a large paddle at Joann&#039;s Fudge of Mackinac Island
Carnel shapes the fudge into a long loaf to the delight of mesmerized audience inside the shop and outside the window at Original Murdick&#039;s Fudge.
Another pour of a fresh batch of Mackinac Island Fudge at Original Murdick&#039;s Fudge.
Original Murdick&#039;s Fudge
Aaron heats the fudge in the large copper kettle at Joann&#039;s Fudge of Mackinac Island.
Fudge begins to cool at Joann&#039;s Fudge of Mackinac Island.
This a a batch of penuche pecan fudge that Aaron is slicing in front of a audience of onlookers at Joann&#039;s Fudge of Mackinac Island.
A sign displaying the variety of flavors of fudge at Joann&#039;s Fudge of Mackinac Island.
The loaf of fudge is cut into slices ready to place in the display window at Joann&#039;s Fudge of Mackinac Island.
A wide variety of slices of fudge at May&#039;s Candy Shop.
Slabs of fudge at Original Murdick&#039;s Fudge
Pouring a fresh batch of fudge at May&#039;s Candy Shop
Ryba&#039;s Fudge Shops
Ryba&#039;s Fudge Shops
Pink Pony Fudge Martini - Stop in the Pink Pony from 3-5pm Friday &amp; Saturday for a specialty Pink Pony Fudge Martini! Serving this specialty beverage with Original Murdick&#039;s Fudge and Joann&#039;s Fudge of Mackinac Island in honor of the Mackinac Island Fudge Festival this weekend!
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Davina and the Vagabonds – Music In The Park – August 31, 2023

Davina and the Vagabonds - Music In The Park

Rolling Stone calls Davina Sowers “her own Americana mishmash — a little Amy Winehouse-worthy neo-soul here, a little Great American Songbook-influenced songcraft there.”

Davina Sowers and the Vagabonds have created a stir on the national music scene with their high-energy live shows, level A musicianship, sharp-dressed professionalism, and Sowers’ commanding stage presence. With influences ranging from Fats Domino and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band to Aretha Franklin and Tom Waits, the band is converting audiences one show at a time, from Vancouver to Miami and across Europe. In 2011 Davina released her first full length, all original album Black Cloud. It was named one of the 10 best releases of the year by the Minneapolis Star & Tribune and awarded 4 ½ stars from Downbeat Magazine. Their next release in 2014, Sunshine, hit number 13 in the Billboard Blues Chart and led them to landing a performance on the hit BBC2 show, Later with Jools Holland.

Bringing you 100 years of American music and Davina’s originals, which lend themselves to the American Songbook, the band brings edgy nostalgia to older generations and fresh new music to younger ears. This rollicking quintet is held together by Sowers’ keyboard playing, with acoustic bass, drums, and a spicy trumpet and trombone horn section. The group’s focused, clean sound and emphasis on acoustic instruments is novel to both blues and jazz worlds, and sets the show closer to New Orleans than to Chicago. This has set the Vagabonds apart at festivals in Thunder Bay, Ontario; Sighisoara, Romania; Sierre, Switzerland; Kemi, Finland; the 2012 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, and 2013 Monterey Jazz Festival ( in 2014 was asked back to play their main stage in 2014, Vache de Blues in France, and North Sea Jazz Festival.

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6:30pm, Marquette Park, Mackinac Island – Free

With a spectacular backdrop, our summer concert series takes place on the lawn of a National Historic Landmark, Marquette Park, which is at the foothills of Historic Fort Mackinac downtown across from the marina. Bring a picnic and tune in for some great live folk, rock, country, blues—the best of Americana. All concerts are free. We recommend bringing a blanket or lawn chairs for your comfort.

Music In The Park
EVERY THURSDAY 6:30pm
MARQUETTE PARK
Rain location: Mission Point Theater

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Grand Hotel – Labor Day Weekend – August 30 – September 2, 2024

Grand Hotel's Labor Day Weekend

Available Friday, August 30 – Monday, September 2, 2024

Description

The Labor Day weekend experience promises an unforgettable retreat filled with family-friendly entertainment and relaxation. Guests can bask in the sun and cool off with refreshing dips at a Saturday pool party, where the atmosphere will be alive with laughter and fun. The package ensures that you won’t have to worry about meals, as it includes nightly receptions, plus breakfast and dinner daily, allowing you to savor delicious cuisine without the hassle. And for a unique, magical experience, the Glow Stick Movie Party at the pool and a drive-in movie night at the Grand Nine offers a delightful twist on traditional cinema nights.

In addition, all guests visiting Labor Day weekend will have exclusive access to upgrade their Weekend Package by adding the Jazz Weekend Concert Bundle including multiple jazz concerts featuring renowned artists like Paul Keller and more. The add-on Jazz Weekend Concert Bundle promises to infuse the weekend with soulful rhythms and melodic harmonies, with Friday evening, Saturday day and evening, and Sunday concerts in the theater. With a diverse lineup of performances throughout the weekend, these performances are sure to leave you with a profound appreciation for the art of jazz.


Jazz Weekend Concert Bundle tickets can be purchased online here.

Additional nights are available at a discounted rate on August 27 – 29 and September 2 – 4.

Package Includes:

  • Grand Hotel Accommodations
  • Breakfast and dinner daily
  • Friday and Saturday evening Welcome Reception
  • Friday Glow Stick Movie Party at the Pool
  • Saturday Pool Party featuring Bells Brewery
  • Saturday and Sunday afternoon music in the Lantern Lounge
  • Saturday evening Parlor Jam Sessions
  • Saturday evening Drive-In Movie on the Grand Nine
  • Complimentary admission to the Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum

This Labor Day Weekend package can also be booked by calling Grand Hotel Reservations at 1-800-334-7263.

View Grand Hotel Policies and Information >>

*Subject to Michigan 6% sales tax, 3% Mackinac Island assessment, and a $15.00 per person, per stay, baggage-handling charge. Regular children’s rates apply. Extra charges apply for additional adults over double occupancy rates. Dates are subject to availability. A 30-day cancellation policy applies.

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Grand Hotel On Facebook

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Grand Hotel – Wellness Weekend Retreat – September 8 – 10, 2023

Wellness Weekend Retreat

Arrive Friday, September 8 • Depart Sunday, September 10, 20223

Description

Experience something new by slowing down. This Wellness Weekend Retreat at Grand Hotel will help you recharge, be present and learn how to experience a more meaningful life. There is no better place to disconnect to reconnect than Mackinac Island.

Friday

Opening Circle + Laughter Yoga

Gentle Yoga + Sound Bath

Saturday
Morning Yoga + Meditation

Koshas + The Higher Self

Art Therapy

Ayurvedic Massage + Restorative Yoga

Yoga Nidra + Sound Bath

Sunday
Morning Yoga

Closing Circle

Package Includes:

  • Grand Hotel Accommodations
  • Breakfast and dinner daily
  • Special welcome amenity
  • Wellness activities throughout the weekend including yoga sessions, art therapy and more
  • Complimentary admission to the Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum
  • Special discount on ferry tickets

This Wellness Retreat Weekend can also be booked by calling Grand Hotel Reservations at 1-800-334-7263.

View Grand Hotel Policies and Information >>

Ego Vs. Love (Higher Self) Lecture – includes self-affirmations to use for when the ego feels triggered. Handouts attached.

Self-Care with Ayurveda – Ayurveda is the sister science to yoga. It is the oldest medical system on the planet. This lecture includes a quiz for students to understand their Ayurvedic dosha and information on keeping their dosic constitution balanced. I include the practice of Abhyanga, a self-massage technique using herbal oils that are specific to the participant’s dosha. This can be followed by restorative yoga, which is very slow, meditative, and nourishing.

Laughter Yoga – the practice of pure joy and playfulness. This is great for group bonding at an opening circle. It opens hearts, minds, and lifts spirits. Awesome ice breaker.

Koshas – the five layers of the human experience and how to practice self-care for every part of your being. I believe that this is information every person should have to understand themselves better. Ancient wisdom for our modern lives.

Yoga Nidra – Also known as yogic sleep this is a guided meditation designed specifically to calm the nervous system and create deep nourishing rest. Good for the last part of the day, can be combined with sound healing.

Sound Bath – Euphoric and transformational just begin to describe this opportunity to release that which no longer serves our highest and greatest good. Participants enjoy the sounds of antique Tibetan singing bowls, alchemy quartz crystal singing bowls, koshi chimes and symphonic gongs. These healing vibrations will touch every cell of the physical body while balancing our energetic, spiritual, and emotional selves.

Art Therapy – Using the right side of our brain is important. It’s the part of the brain that remembers we are connected to everyone and everything. It’s often a place where people feel challenged and have little breakthroughs. We tend to lose touch with our creative side as we age.

*Subject to Michigan 6% sales tax, 3% Mackinac Island assessment, and a $12.00 per person, per stay, baggage-handling charge. Regular children’s rates apply. Extra charges apply for additional adults over double occupancy rates. Dates are subject to availability. A 30-day cancellation policy applies.

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Grand Hotel On Facebook

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