Beginning at 10am at the historic Print Shop, the Island Boodle 5k Run takes participants through scenic St. James, along the waterfront and back through wooded trails during one of the most beautiful times of year. Benefitting Island Sports Boosters, the event draws serious runners as well as families, many with babies in strollers and four-legged friends.
As Mother Nature paints the trees in vibrant shades of reds, yellows and oranges, the island’s amateur and professional chefs will be serving up tasteful samples of seasonal treats during the 11th Annual Bite of Beaver Island Food Festival. Enjoy bite size bits of everything from soups and pizzas and other specialty fare, all at affordable prices. Activities will be held from Noon-3pm at the Holy Cross Hall.
Also part of the day’s festivities is an Arts & Crafts Show will take place at the Community Center from 11am-4pm and an “Apple Pie Contest” at Holy Cross Hall at 1:30pm. During the evening, the island’s pubs will be offering live music and entertainment.
Once on the island – whether participating in the Boodle or Bite of Beaver – visitors will find plenty of fall colors and natural activity to keep busy. The West Michigan Tourist Association features a Beaver Island Color Tour Route as one of 26 on its website:
“Starting at the ferry dock in "downtown" St. James, turn right at the Do It Best Hardware. Turn left at the top of the hill onto The Kings Highway heading south out of "town". Turn left on McCauley's Road. Turn right on East Side Drive. At the south end of the island it becomes West Side. Don't forget to stop and visit the Lighthouse just before Iron Ore Bay. Cross the 4-way intersection onto Paid Een Ogs Road. Turn left onto The Kings Hwy back to town.”
“Beaver Island's fall colors are spectacular and occur a little later than on the mainland because of the temperature moderation brought about by Lake Michigan,” says Steve West, Director of the Beaver Island Chamber of Commerce. “By early October, colors should be making a spectacular show – just in time for the Island Boodle and Bite of Beaver.”
Overnight rooms during the fall season on Beaver Island start at $75/night and Oak Wood Condos is offering two-bedroom suites (with kitchen and living areas) starting at $95/night.
Getting to Beaver Island is easy. The Beaver Island Boat Company runs through December, with limited runs in the early and late season. The 32-mile ride takes approximately two hours. Participants of the Island Boodle can get a discounted fare – at just $40/roundtrip for adults and $20/roundtrip for children. Fresh Air Aviation and Island Airways also both provide plane service to the island. All three services operate out of Charlevoix.
Those searching for a truly removed up-north destination will find it on Beaver Island, one of the purist four-season vacation destinations in Michigan. When it comes to natural escapes, nothing compares to America’s Emerald Isle – Beaver Island. For more information, call 231-448-2505 or log onto www.BeaverIsland.org.
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