September 2023 – Promote Michigan

Celebrate the Harvest Season in the Petoskey Area

October is Michigan AgriTourism month…a colorful and flavorful time to celebrate the state’s rich bounty. Michigan is the second most agriculturally diverse state in the country (behind California) and its position in the heart of the Great Lakes creates the ideal “cool climate” conditions to grow more than 200 different commodities. From the tapping of the first maple tree in the spring to the harvest of the 1.05 billion pounds of apples statewide each fall, Michigan is a “Mitten of Plenty” waiting to be savored.

News Releases

September 5, 2023 Dianna Stampfler

13-foot-tall La Muñeca Lele Doll to Highlight Fiesta Mexicana #54 – September 8-10 at Calder Plaza in Downtown Grand Rapids

A highlight this year’s Fiesta Mexicana #54 – also known as “Los Colores de Mexico” – presented September 8-10 by the Mexican Heritage Association of West Michigan (MHAWM) is the featured appearance of a 13-foot-tall handmade artisan La Muñeca Lele doll, which is on world tour. As the largest Latin ethnic group in West Michigan, the community’s rich culture and spirit continues to flourish during this free family event taking place at Calder Plaza in downtown Grand Rapids.

Monarch Mission

There’s been a flutter of activity lately around the plight of pollinators like bees and butterflies, specifically the monarch, and how creating or maintaining habitats help ensure the future of these vital winged insects. In the past year, several northwest Michigan communities — Elk Rapids, Kalkaska, Boyne City, Beaver Island and Melrose Township (Walloon Lake) — have become members of a national initiative called Monarch Cities USA, pledging to protect and provide for these butterflies.

Autumn Air

For Derrick Jones, the sky’s the limit when it comes to pursuing his hobby. He was just 8 years old when he began crewing on the ground for local balloon pilots in Battle Creek and, four years later, he took his first balloon flight — setting the course up, up, and away for a lifelong passion.

Waterfront Wonder

Nearly a century ago, the Federal Commercial and Savings Bank opened at the corner of Military and Water streets along the Black River in downtown Port Huron. Its stately facade would later house the Michigan National Bank (a name which remains boldly emblazoned on the side of the building) before being recently transformed into the latest CityFlats boutique hotel at 405 Water Street.

Coastal Color Tour

Each fall, Michigan puts on a magnificent show as nearly 150 species of trees turn vibrant shades of red, orange, gold, and yellow, adorning more than 18.5 million acres of forests set against a backdrop of evergreens and the deep blue waters of the Great Lakes. The northern Lake Michigan shoreline, from Charlevoix to Harbor Springs, boasts countless attractions and activities to enhance your coastal color tour.