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.

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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.

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Picture This: Laurence Helms’ Bright Idea

The concept—a framed, backlit image—is simple. Yet, Helmscenes become much more than the sum of their parts once plugged in and switched on. Beloved by collectors today as ambiance-creating décor, Helmscenes transport their views to scenes near and far—and serve as physical reminders of the years in the mid-twentieth century when they were produced in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

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Explore History Along Petoskey’s Unique Trails

Michigan has many monikers – like the Great Lakes State. According to the , it is also known as The Trails State, with thousands of seasonal routes crisscrossing the state – from hiking and biking to paddling and skiing, and so much more. These various paths are so important to the state’s image that a designated Michigan Trails Week is even held every fall, this year September 17-24.

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New Holland Distilling Co Awarded Top Honors for Dragon’s Milk Origin Small Batch Bourbon

Michigan-based New Holland Distilling Co was recently awarded “Best of Class – Whiskey,” “Best in Category – Bourbon” and “Double Gold” honors for its Origin Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey at the annual American Distilling Institute (ADI) International Spirits Competition. Founded in 2003, ADI is the oldest and largest craft distillery trade association in the world, representing more than 2250 licensed distilleries.

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The Personal Power of Memoirs

The word “memoir” is the French word for memory and is a genre of literature where the author writes about his or her memories. Not to be confused with a “autobiography” which is a more historical and factual version of one’s life, from beginning to end.

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Cheers: Michigan’s newest wine trail

Early French explorers were the first to discover grapes growing wild along what they ultimately called Riviere aux Raisin – the River Raisin, which flows for about 139 miles through Jackson, Hillsdale, Washtenaw, Lenawee and Monroe counties, before emptying into Lake Erie. Today, more than 240 years later, this region maintains its agricultural roots and is home to the newly established River Raisin Wine Trail.

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Hitting the Pure Michigan Trails

To celebrate its vast system of trails – biking, hiking, paddling and even horseback riding – the Michigan Department of Natural Resources implemented the Pure Michigan Trails (including Water Trails) and Pure Michigan Trail Towns designation program in 2019. Since that time, the program has grown in terms of the number of communities and organizations looking to highlight the unparalleled experiences that can be found off the beaten path around the Great Lakes State.

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