Finding Festivals

While visiting ports in the great lake region, Haylie travels to Sandusky, Ohio for the Festival of Sail. This tall ship festival offer visitors an opportunity to experience historical replicas, tour the U.S. Brig Niagara, discover the process of creating a new ice cream flavor, learn the history of carousel horses and meet the world’s largest rubber duck.

Irish heritage is celebrated annually during the Dublin Irish Festival. While visiting the City of Dublin for the Irish Fest Haylie learns about the local art, history of the city and cheers to one of the featured spirits on the Celtic Cocktail Trail. At the festival, be immersed in Celtic Culture from music and dance to art and cuisine. Plus, learn some dances at the Ceili Dance Stage.

The Isabella Indian Reservation is located near Mount Pleasant, Michigan in Isabella County. Discover the nature trails within the area and learn about the heritage, and traditions and regalia at the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe’s Annual Pow Wow. Haylie in deepens her understanding of Indigenous culture and joins in an intertribal dance.

Jeep has been manufactured in Toledo, Ohio since 1941. The annual Toledo Jeep Fest unites communities and celebrates the hard work of the men and women who help make Jeep. Haylie connects with a local historian about women’s role in building Jeep during World War II, gets a tour of the Stellantis Toledo Assembly Complex and goes off-roading in a Jeep for the very first time.

With nearly 1,500 acres of grapes grown in the area, Geneva produces 50% of Ohio’s grapes. Since 1964 the city of Geneva has celebrated the annual harvest during the Geneva Grape Jamboree. Haylie has a ‘grape time’ trying grape ice cream, grape stomping and learning the art of wine making at local vineyard Ferrante Winery & Ristorante.

Michigan’s Little Bavaria, Frankenmuth Michigan, is a charming town that transports visitors to another part of the world. Though the founder’s heritage can be experienced year-round Haylie learns traditions like the raising of the maibaum and schuhplattler dancing can only be experienced during the annual Frankenmuth Bavarian Festival.

From the longest running annual event in the state of Ohio, the Circleville Pumpkin Show to an island invasion during the Put In Bay Pyrate Fest this double feature is one that is full of fun. Haylie speaks to pumpkin growers , is amazed by the art of large pumpkin carving, goes for a treasure hunt with the Captain of the island invasion and shares a Put In Bay hideaway only locals know about.

For a span of 10 days Mackinac Island, Michigan comes together to celebrate during the annual Lilac Festival. This charming town banned vehicles in 1889 making visitors feel they are stepping back in time. Enchanted by the island life, Haylie visits Fort Mackinac, shares High Tea at the Grand Hotel with the Lilac Festival Queen and learns why lilacs have flourished on the island for all these year.

The year 2022 was known as the “International Year of Glass” putting Toledo, Ohio on the map for being the birth place of the studio glass movement. Haylie tours glass manufacturing plant Pilkington, discusses the inspirations behind Momentum Intersection featured artist Chuchen Song’s piece and learns about the nation’s largest mural.

Cleveland, Ohio is home to over 120 ethnicities and the largest Indian classical music festival outside India. Thyagaraja Festival is a 12-day festival welcoming talent to inspire future artists. Haylie deepens her understanding of the city’s history with immigrants, discusses India’s rich culture and discovers a new appreciation for the works of Indian composer Thyagaraja.

Holland, Michigan becomes a sea of vibrant colors during the annual Tulip Time event. Since 1929 this community has celebrated their heritage and the blossoming of spring throughout the city. Haylie gets a crash course on traditional Dutch dancing, discusses the history of the tulip with immersion garden artist Ibo Gülsen and steps into a storybook classic.

The Joseph, St.Mary's and Maumee rivers meet in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Since 1969 the community has come together to celebrate art, music and local eats for the annual Three Rivers Festival. Haylie goes beyond the festival and explores the community involvement with the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, DeBrand Fine Chocolates and Salomon Farm Park.

Michigan is the nation’s leading producer of tart cherries and with a title like that it’s only fitting to celebrate the state’s agriculture during the annual National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, Michigan. Haylie sits down with the owners of the Grand Travers Pie Company, tries to keep up with the cherry tree shakers and takes in the gorgeous views at Sleeping Bear Dunes.