Kent Harvest Trails Offers Fresh Local Foods & Family Farm Fun Throughout the Autumn Season

Nearly 20 farms in the Greater Grand Rapids area are participating in this year’s Kent Harvest Trails, providing families the opportunity to enjoy loads of country fun. Activities and tours begin mid September and run through the end of October (although farms may actually open sooner and extend their season into early November, weather permitting).

Families can take tractor- or horse-drawn wagon rides through the orchards or to the pumpkin patch, visit with animals in the petting zoo, wander the corn maze and make a scarecrow to take home. Enjoy a fresh baked donut and watch as apples are pressed into sweet cider. Visit the farm markets for local produce or head out to pick your own fruit. Then, shop for baked goods, fall plants, home decorations and seasonal gifts. Admission for many farms is free, although there may be charges for certain activities.

Participating farms this year include At the Barn, Blok Orchards, Bos Greenhouse and Farm, Ed Dunneback & Girls Farm, Frozen Creek Floral & Farm, Fruit Ridge Hayrides, H & W Farms, Harder & Warner Nursery, Heidi’s Farm Stand, Honey Creek Farm, Klackle Orchards, Koetsier’s Greenhouse, Orchard Hill Farm, Paulson’s Pumpkin Patch, Post Family Farm, Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery, Schwallier’s Country Basket, Sietsema Orchards & Cider Mill and Steffens Orchards & Market.

An updated map of participating farms, including directions and dates/hours of operation, will be posted online in mid August at KentHarvestTrails.org. Printed brochures will also be available for free at area Family Fare Supermarket or D&W Fresh Market locations starting the second week of September.

Like the Kent Harvest Trails Facebook or check out this YouTube Video from Marty ALL OVER Michigan!

Michigan Nature & History Lovers Will Fall for Camp Tosebo’s Autumn Allure

Nestled amidst more than 50 colorful acres of protected forests along the southern shore of Portage Lake, between Manistee and Onekama, sets a picturesque camp that has been welcoming visitors for generations. Founded in 1912 as a private camp for boys, Camp Tosebo is one of the most historic and treasured vacation retreats in Northern Michigan. Located just off the famed M22 scenic highway, this four-season destination provides the ideal setting to soak up the explosion of fall colors.

Within just a short drive of Camp Tosebo, visitors will find dozens of natural and historic sites waiting to be explored, camera in hand. A nearly 100-mile route, originally created by the West Michigan Tourist Association (www.wmta.org), takes travelers along the winding backroads of M22-, M115 and M55 through the nearby towns of Onekama, Pierport, Arcadia, Thompsonville, Kaleva, Brethren and Manistee.

Among the sites one can expect to find nearby are the Lake Bluff Audubon Center & Bird Sanctuary, the North Country Scenic Trail, Arcadia Overlook, Gwen Frostic Studios, the Bottle House Museum and the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore – recently named “The Most Beautiful Place in America” by viewers of Good Morning America.

Listed with both the Michigan and National Register of Historic Places, Camp Tosebo boasts two lodging buildings which can collectively accommodate 20 guests.

Originally built as a dance pavilion, the 1893 Victorian-era Clubhouse with its covered porch easily accommodates 17 guests, with nine bedrooms and 7½ bathrooms five with antique claw-foot tubs. There’s plenty of space to spread out through the fully-equipped chef’s kitchen, dining hall, game room, library and large living room with a stone fireplace.

The rustic Trunk House – which once was a storage facility for the campers’ luggage – is a large, one-room studio with vaulted ceilings, living and dining areas, kitchenette, queen bed and twin bed, and a bathroom with a claw foot tub and shower.

Situated in the heart of the Manistee National Forest, Camp Tosebo is the ideal setting for a quiet autumn escape, where time is spent walking the trails, paddling the lake, catching up on a good book and relaxing in front of the fireplace. Whether planning a romantic weekend, a family reunion or group gathering, the outdoor splendor and indoor relaxation of Camp Tosebo cannot be compared. Find out for yourself!

www.Tosebo.com

Discover how Pure Michigan autumn is…on Beaver Island

The fall season is the perfect time to discover – or revisit – Beaver Island, Michigan’s largest, most-inhabited island. Hop aboard the Emerald Isle for a relaxing and colorful ride across Lake Michigan as you soak in the colors on the trees that shirt the lakeshore along Michigan’s lower peninsula.

Once on Beaver Island, its natural wonders await exploration, where a variety of eco-tour options are available. Whether it’s camping, paddling, pedaling or hiking, the crisp cool autumn air and the fresh breezes of the lake welcome you to slow down and relax, just for a bit. Bring your camera, because the colors and the wildlife this time of year are abundant. The contrast of the red, yellow and orange hues of the leaves set against the backdrop of the brilliant blue waters of Lake Michigan are sure to capture your eye. While taking a stroll along one of the back roads, you’re likely to see a fox or deer cross your path, or any number of birds soaring in the sky above.

The West Michigan Tourist Association even has a turn-by-turn color tour route mapped out at http://www.wmta.org/autumn-color-tours-19/ (#26) which starts at the ferry dock in downtown St. James and travels the perimeter of the island.

If your visit takes place the first weekend in October, you’ll enjoy the festivities of the Bite of Beaver Island and the Island Boodle 5k Run – which both take place October 2. With the Bite, see what the best professional and amateur chefs on the Island have to offer - sample a wide variety of treats. The Boodle, now in its 8th year, starts in scenic St. James and offering a fast, beautiful lakefront-and-trails course.

Beaver Island Boat Company has been providing the most relaxing, affordable transportation for people, pets, vehicles, and freight to Beaver Island for over 25 years. Reservations for passengers are never required. A trip to Beaver Island aboard the Emerald Isle or the Beaver Islander adds to the overall experience, reinforcing the adage that in life – it’s the journey as much as the destination!

For a complete schedule, rates and package tour details, call 888-446-4095 or log onto www.beaverislandboatcompany.com. Become our FAN on Facebook: www.facebook.com/beaverislandboatcompany

For information on Beaver Island: www.BeaverIsland.org

A Dozen Reasons to Fall for Autumn in Pure Michigan's Harbor Country

The eight communities of Harbor Country – Michiana, Grand Beach, New Buffalo, Three Oaks, Union Pier, Lakeside, Harbert and Sawyer – welcome you to tour their backroads in search of fall colors this autumn season. Among the favorite activities:

1. Get lost in a corn maze at Dinges Farm in Three Oaks.

2. Pick the perfect pumpkin at Grower’s Choice in Sawyer.

3. Take a luxury limo tour with Fruitful Vines and sample the new vintages at one of the area wineries.

4. Sample the local harvest for breakfast or lunch at Retro Café in New Buffalo.

5. Take home a memory at Season’s Harvest in Harbert.

6. Play a late-season round of golf at Whittaker Woods in New Buffalo.

7. Feel the leaves under your feet hiking the trails at Warren Dunes or Warren Woods.

8. Pedal along the area’s Backroad Bikeway routes or join in the Apple Cider Century ride on Sept 26.

9. Take to Lake Michigan for a surfing lesson with Third Coast Surf Shop.

10.Paddle along the Galien River with Outpost Sports.

11.Discover the treasures of Harbor Country along the West Michigan Pike historic route, US-12 Heritage Trail, Red Arrow Highway or Lake Michigan Circle.

12.Take a brisk stroll along the beach, then watch the sunset over Lake Michigan from your cozy room at Sandpiper Inn in Union Pier.

Or, perhaps you'd prefer to plan your visit around one of the great autumn festivals or events being planned throughout Harbor Country...including:

Sept 3-5: GREEK FESTIVAL
Sept 3-5: OUTSIDERS OUTSIDE ART FAIR
Sept 4: HANDMADE MARKET AT HICKORY CREEK
Sept 11: HARVEST FESTIVAL & BRITISH CAR SHOW
Sept 11: GRAPE STOMPING COMPETITION
Sept 16: THIRD SATURDAY GALLERY WALK (Also Oct 16 & Nov 20)
Sept 25: DEER CREEK 5K PHEASANT TROT
Sept 26: APPLE CIDER CENTURY
Oct 2-3: WHITE WINEMAKING EXPERIENCE
Oct 8-11: HARBOR COUNTRY HARVEST DAY
Oct 9: NEW BUFFALO HARVEST & WINE FEST
Oct 16: KITCHEN WALK TOUR
Oct 16: ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW
Oct 16-17:RED WINEMAKING EXPERIENCE
Oct 30: GREEK NIGHT

For even more autumn travel ideas, log on to www.VisitHarborCountry.org.

No matter which autumn activity appeals to you, the quaint bed-and-breakfasts, historic inns and variety of hotels in Harbor Country can offer a lodging package to suit your needs.

The Harbor Country Convention & Visitors Bureau was established in 1990 as the Harbor Country Lodging Association, in accordance with the state of Michigan’s Community Convention or Tourism Marketing Act 59 of 1984.

The mission of the organization is “to promote its members and the assessment district as a major destination for tourism and conventions in southwest Michigan.” The assessment district encompasses the Townships of New Buffalo, Three Oaks, and Chikaming, the city of New Buffalo, the Village of Three Oaks and the Village of Michiana, Michigan.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
www.VisitHarborCountry.org
www.Facebook.com/HarborCountryMich
www.Twitter.com/HarborCountry

Fall in Love with Autumn Camping in Michigan

Fall is a perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors at one of Michgan’s privately owned campgrounds. Here, campers seek out area farm markets, u-pick orchards and other agricultural destinations that dot the landscape.

Whether they’re looking for pumpkins, gourds and cornstalks to decorate their campsite, apples for baking aromatic and mouth-watering treats, or that perfect bottle of Michigan wine or beer to pair with a harvest meal, campers will find the area farms and agricultural destinations have just what they’re looking for.

Activities, such as wagon rides, haunted houses and corn mazes are popular for families this time of year. What better way to spend a fall day than walking over crackling leaves through an apple orchard or pumpkin patch in search of harvest goodies. Why not make a visit to one of the historic lighthouses that grace a Great Lake shoreline – especially one that is rumored to be haunted such as White River Light Station, Grand Traverse Lighthouse or Saginaw River Lighthouse.

Autumn activities, such as kayaking, canoeing, hiking, biking, horseback riding and golf, are also of interest as campers look for exciting ways to take in the full spectrum of the fall season. Colors can also be viewed from the sky, with a ride in a hot air balloon, glider or airplane at various locations around the state. Even the state’s ski resorts are getting into the action, offering chair lift rides throughout the color tour season.

Campers are encouraged to take a fall color tour, traveling along the scenic byways (and off the major highways), with camera in hand. West Michigan Tourist Association has outlined more than two dozen color tour routes on its website. Travel Michigan offers similar types of routes, under the header “Driving Tours.” Local chambers and visitor bureaus also offer information, such as driving routes and attractions of interest.

In the Kent County area, online brochures are available for the Kent Harvest Trails and Fruit Ridge Farm Markets. The Southwest Michigan Tourist Council has online versions of both their fall color tour map and U-Pick/Farm Market Brochure. The “Taste the Local Difference – Select Northwest Michigan” directory is also available for online viewing. The Michigan Department of Agriculture also publishes an online PDF directory to the state’s Farm Markets, U-Picks & Agricultural Tourism destinations. There’s even a website that directs you to the finest apple farms throughout the state, as well as tours of the state’s finest wineries and breweries.

For more information on fall destinations and activities, check out these websites:
• Fruit Ridge Farm Markets
• Kent Harvest Trails
• Michigan Apple Tours
• Michigan Brewers Guild
• Michigan Cider Guild
• Michigan Department of Agriculture
• Michigan Festivals & Events Association
• Michigan Hard Cider Club
• Michigan Wine Council
• Southwestern Michigan Tourism Council
• Taste the Local Difference
• Travel Michigan
• Upper Peninsula Tourism & Recreational Association
• West Michigan Tourist Association

ARVC represents 225+ member campgrounds with nearly 32,000 sites available throughout the state. Whether pitching a tent, parking an RV or reserving a rustic or modern cabin, Michigan campgrounds offer a great way to disconnect from busy lives and reconnect with families. Campers in Michigan enjoy the great outdoors while fishing or canoeing on the countless lakes, rivers and streams or hiking, biking and riding on the miles of trails that wind throughout the state. There’s definitely no shortage of activities, no matter where the campground is located.

The 2009 Michigan Campground Directory, published by ARVC – Michigan, is available at various locations statewide, including all Welcome Centers. A PDF version is also available for viewing online at www.michcampgrounds.com. The directory not only lists campgrounds by region, but also includes helpful information on the type of sites available, various amenities such as restroom, laundry and dumping station facilities; recreational offerings such as pools and golf courses; and seasons of operation. Campgrounds that now offer wireless internet access onsite are also identified.

Photo by Terry Phipps.

Fall color is spreading in Upper Peninsula, says AAA

Michigan’s annual fall color show is slowly spreading across the western Upper Peninsula, with one-quarter to one-half of the trees now showing fair to good color. The peak in the U.P. is expected in early to mid-October, reports AAA Michigan, slightly later than last year.

AAA’s weekly survey of state parks and regional visitor’s bureaus shows a splash of color in most areas of the U.P. Naturalists at Porcupine Mountain State Park near Ontonagon and Van Riper State Park in Ishpeming report color development as high as 50 or 60 percent in those regions, with plenty of red, yellow and orange hues to complete the palette. Color development from 15-25 percent is reported in Calumet, Cedar River, Copper Harbor, Crystal Falls, Manistique, Sault Ste. Marie and Tahquamenon.

In the Northern Lower Peninsula, colors are just beginning to turn in East Tawas, Harrisville, Mackinaw City, Manistee, Petoskey and Rogers City.

For the rest of the state, the predominant color remains green.

Fall color watchers looking for the best viewing opportunities can call Travel Michigan at (888) 78-GREAT (784-7328) for color updates provided by AAA Michigan each Wednesday through October. Updates also will be posted at AAA.com (enter ZIP code, click NEWS/SAFETY tab), or visit www.michigan.org

Before hitting the roadways on your fall color tour, visit www.AAAtraffic.com for the latest traffic conditions and construction taking place on your route.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jim Rink
313-336-1513

Nightmare Awaits - Nightmare at Challenge Mountain

(BOYNE FALLS, Mich) -- Hidden in the fog covered hills of Boyne Falls lies a creepy castle that once was a ski lodge. The castle awaits you with terrifying things that are looking for you. When you arrive, you are immediately greeted by creatures that come out only at a special time each year. These things lure you to the castle where your nightmare begins.

A slow trip through the mist takes you back in history to some of our most frightening of times. The Salem Witch Trials show you there is no way out. Lizzie Borden stalks you and you run. Through a drain maze of spiders, bats, and even a dog man you seek your escape. But to no avail. You come to a line that leads you to of all places, a haunted basement. The basement is filled with horror beyond your wildest fears. As you run, finally you reach the outside only to take a trip through what you think is a place to relax, aaaahhh, fairy tales. Only these fairy tales are definitely not like the ones you were read as a child. Quickly you hear things breathing close by. Oh what could they be… Run, run, faster, faster, don’t look back it might get you!

Challenge Mountain is the place in the hidden fog covered hills and the 7th annual Nightmare at Challenge Mountain is set to begin on Friday, October 3 and will run each Friday and Saturday in October including Halloween from 7-10pm.

Challenge Mountain is located at 2205 Springbrook Rd., Boyne Falls, MI. The cost for the Nightmare is only $10 for adults and children are just 2 for $5 accompanied by an adult. Each ticket is a season pass meaning you can come as many times as you want. You never know what you might miss.

For more information or driving directions you can visit www.challengemtn.org and click on Nightmare as you enter the website or call 231-582-1186. Plan to attend if you are brave enough, but be afraid, be very afraid.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Sue Moody, Executive Director
231-582-1186
cmski@challengemtn.org

Michigan’s M-22 Color Tour Route Explores One of America’s Great Scenic Drives

(NORTHWEST MICHIGAN) – The changing of the leaves to brilliant shades of gold, amber and garnet is an invitation to head north and explore the magnificent fall season among the rolling hills and coastal villages of Northwest Michigan

The premier route, which follows M-22 through Manistee, Benzie and Leelanau Counties, has been rated one of the top five greatest driving tours in America by Rand McNally. Officially designated as a State of Michigan Scenic Route, this spectacular scenic byway is now featured online at www.M22ColorTour.com.

“We’re a four season destination, but there’s no question that autumn is a personal favorite of many locals and visitors alike,” said Judy Ball, Executive Director of Manistee County Convention & Visitors Bureau “There’s just something special about the changing of the seasons in Northwest Michigan and we hope people will visit us to experience it for themselves.”

Traveling through quaint harbor towns, such as Manistee, Frankfort, Beulah and Glen Arbor, the M-22 Fall Color Tour route skirts the Lake Michigan shoreline and the bluffs, dunes and beaches of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Along the way, visitors are introduced to unique galleries, vintage antiques, world-class restaurants, award-winning wineries and historic orchards and farms.

Visitors are welcomed by the sound of rustling leaves and the crispness of the autumn air, where Michigan’s most colorful season awaits with open arms. Recreational opportunities, such as championship golf, biking, paddling, fishing and even soaring the skies above the trees, are available to visitors looking to experience the fall color season from a different perspective.

Visitors can also expect to find value-filled packages and special seasonal lodging rates, as well as a cornucopia of fall festivals and harvest celebrations that the whole family will enjoy. What’s more, the M-22 Color Tour is a one tank trip for many in the Midwest, making it an affordable day-trip or weekend get-away for those wishing to escape to escape to this quite Northwest Michigan refuge.

“Visitors will find interesting shops, galleries, wineries, exquisite dining, superb recreational activities and comfortable accommodations along the way,” says Jamie Jewell, Representative of the Sleeping Bear Dunes Visitors Bureau. “It’s a wonderful way to enjoy fall color in northern Michigan.”

The M-22 Color Tour is a collaborative effort of the Benzie County Visitors Bureau, the Manistee County Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Sleeping Bear Dunes Visitors Bureau, who banded together earlier this summer to pool resources and marketing dollars to promote the fall color route that traverses through their counties. In addition to the website – www.M22ColorTour.com, the group printed 10,000 rack cards which are being distributed in their respective offices, at businesses throughout the area and at State of Michigan Welcome Centers.

“Being able to cooperate with other small bureaus like ours gives us a greater opportunity to reach new travelers,” stated Mary Carroll, Executive Director of the Benzie County Visitors Bureau.

MEDIA CONTACTS
Mary Carroll - Benzie County Visitors Bureau
800.882.5801 / director@benzie.org

Judy Ball - Manistee County Convention & Visitors Bureau
877.626.4783 / Email: judybmanistee@sbcglobal.net

Jamie Jewell - Sleeping Bear Dunes Visitors Bureau
888.334.8499 / Jamie@TheHomesteadResort.com