When you take a northern Michigan vacation, there is always something new to discover. Whether you spend time on Lake Michigan, the Chain O’ Lakes, or enjoying one of our fine golf courses, you will be glad you chose Bellaire as your vacation destination. The Grand Victorian is close to several cities which offer many unique and exciting things to do. With events and festivals year-round, our area has something for everyone!

For your trip planning, here is a sampling of our local events for 2013

BELLAIRE (0 miles): website

Fridays May 27 – Oct 28 every week from 8am - 12am visit the Farmer’s Market at the Bellaire Senior Center Pavilion offering locally produced products, vegetables, fruit, baked goods, & plants, etc.

Saturday Aug 10, 1PM is the annual Bellaire Historic Home open house featuring several area homes noted for their historic and architectural significance. This is a walking tour with maps and informational flyers provided.  Proceeds from a nominal charge helps fund the Bellaire Museum.

Friday, Aug 16, 17.  Bellaire's 26th Annual Rubber Ducky Festival   and Sidewalk Sales

Location: Downtown Bellaire

26th Annual Rubber Ducky Race and Festival.   Sidewalk Sales, Vendor exhibits, Music Downtown. 

Saturday Aug 17. afternoon. Northern Michigan's Royalty Luncheon.  Area Queens parade to for their annual farewell celebration and lots of picture taking on the grounds of the Grand Victorian!

Saturday, Sep 28  - Annual Harvest Fest & Scarecrow Extravaganza

Location: Downtown Bellaire

Arts & Crafts Show 10am-4pm

Kids Scarecrow Costume Contest. Judging at 1pm.  Best Dressed Pet Parade 1:30pm

Recipe Contest, Pastries, Wine, Pizza.

Great Food, Fun for all!

TRAVERSE CITY (40 miles): website

Jun29 - Jul 06 - National Cherry Festival

The open Space in downtown Traverse City becomes the oldest, biggest and champion National Cherry Festival!  Traverse City is still proud to be America’s Cherry Capital. It celebrates that heritage every year during early July with an eight-day party featuring over 150 family activities: air shows, fireworks, parades (including the nation’s largest all-children parade) games, races, midway rides, demonstrations, nightly outdoor concerts and lots of chances to taste delicious cherry products. Now in its 86th year, the Cherry Festival is Traverse City’s signature event, drawing as many as 500,000 attendees from around the country. Everything is located conveniently within walking distance, and since almost all the events are free, it offers more than a week of affordable family fun.

July 30-Aug 4 Traverse City Film Festival

The Traverse City Film Festival is a charitable, educational, nonprofit organization committed to showing “Just Great Movies” and helping to save one of America’s few indigenous art forms — the cinema. The festival brings films and filmmakers from around the world to northern Michigan for the annual film festival in late July to early August. The festival was founded by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Michael Moore.

Last year, there were over 106,000 admissions to 135 screenings, a number of them U.S. or world premieres. A special emphasis is given to foreign films, American independents, documentaries, and films which have been overlooked but deserve the attention of a public starved to see a good movie.

CENTRAL LAKE (8 miles):  website

Saturday June 8 Downtown Central Lake Car, Motorcycle & Truck Show

Classic cars, trucks and motorcycles will fill the streets of Central Lake on this second annual event.

A Bazaar will also take place from 9 - 3 pm with local vendors displaying their treasures.

Starts June 19 "Two for Tuesday"
Every Tuesday located outside The Blue Pelican Inn & Restaurant Music - great food - drink specials - lots of fun.  Everyone Welcome!
Participating Downtown Merchants open evening hours

Wednesday, July 3 - Boat Parade on Intermediate Lake

View from Thurston Park

Thursday, July 4 - Fourth of July

Central Lake Chamber Outdoor Bazaar at Chamber Grounds 9 am - 3 pm

Parade at noon

Central Lake Lions Famous Chicken Barbeque

A Bazaar will take place from 9 - 3 pm with local vendors displaying their treasures.

Fireworks at dusk - Herrick Field (athletic field)

ALDEN (11 miles): website

Sunday, June 17th Aannual Strawberry Festival at the Alden depot Park from 12:00 noon until 5:00 P.M. Michigan berries are served over shortcake and topped off with real whipped cream. Fresh berries are also available to take home. 10670 Coy Street.

Thursday Night Stroll Starts June 27: 'til 9pm every week. Visit shops, musicians.

New in 2013 - local Farmer's Market too!

Aug (every weekend): Model Train Exhibit at the Alden Depot. 

August 11-12: Alden 2013l Sports Car Show!  Only sports cars.  This year celebrating 50 years of the Triumph Spitfire!

CHARLEVOIX (30 miles): website

July Fourth Weekend Event

Don't miss the 3rd Annual Up North Fourth taking place in East Park downtown Charlevoix on July 7.

Good Flavors & Good Music!

Family Day 11am-3pm includes:
Bounce houses and games, Weber grilling demos, silent disco, and live music.

Evening 5-10pm:
4 Michigan breweries, Michigan wineries and spirits, local food, live music by The Verve Pipe, Seth Bernard and May Erlewine, Jetty Rae and more, and silent disco.

Jul 20-27  Venetian Festival

What began 80 years ago as a simple candle-lit boat parade has grown into a week-long flurry of color and pageantry that highlights the summer season and attracts tens of thousands of visitors.

The Festival offers a wonderful variety of events geared to delight and entertain every age group. Most events take place within waterfront parks, Round Lake Harbor and Lake Charlevoix.

ELK RAPIDS (20 miles): website

Fridays Jun 7 – Oct 11

8am-1pm - Farmer’s Market every Friday morning from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Elk Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, 305 US 31 N, in the Rotary Park.

Every Friday:

5pm - 7pm Wine tastings at Elk Rapids Wine Shop, 100 River St.

Wed Jul 31 - Aug 3: Harbor Days Celebration - games, rides, fireworks & more!