Acme Township Board Approves Lyle Lovett Concert (August 8) and Car Show (August 9) at Flint Fields Horse Park

At a special meeting to discuss and vote on the Special Event Permit requested by property owner Karin Flint, the Acme Township Special Events Committee voted to formally approve the special events planned on August 8th and 9th for Flint Fields Horse Park in Acme Township, MI. Following the vote, board members were unanimous in their support for the events as a very positive direction for Acme to bring new business to their township.

This vote ends the confusion over the ability to put on the events planned for that weekend including a Lyle Lovett concert on Friday evening and the Cars, Beats & Eats event on Saturday with Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airman. Sam Porter, the event promoter when contacted said “This will allow us to continue to develop this wonderful new festival and cultural events destination in Acme Township and bring new economic development to an area that can gain much from a rich cultural identity. Having an artist the caliber of Lyle Lovett at your venue brings an immediate credibility that will help fuel the future of great diverse gatherings there.”

Porter is the owner of Porterhouse Productions and Tent Venue who are bringing Lyle Lovett and his Large Band to Flint Fields. Porter is known for producing large scale award winning food and music events in Northern Michigan and will bring their philosophy of local business first, green sustainable events and nonprofit fundraisers driven by a great patron experience to Flint Fields. Over the last 7 years, Porterhouse has created millions of dollars in local economic impact through Hotel bookings, supporting hundreds of local businesses and contractors, artist and talent payments and always supporting local values that make our region better.

Sleeping Bear Dunes Visitors Bureau Announces “Manitou Moments” Photography Contest

The Sleeping Bear Dunes Visitors Bureau is proud to announce the “Manitou Moments,” a photography contest designed to encourage visitors to the Sleeping Bear Dunes to share their unique visions of what makes this area so special. The contest follows the launch of a substantially redesigned website, intended to encourage tourism by providing easy access to information about the recreation, dining, and lodging options around the Sleeping Bear Dunes. Users of the site will find in-depth information about the historical and natural resources in the region, as well as detailed databases of lodging, shopping, and dining establishments in the bucolic small towns around the dunes.

Beginning immediately, the Visitor’s Bureau will accept submissions to “Manitou Moments,” a seasonal photography contest that aims to investigate the theme of “New Beginnings.” The winning photographs will respond to the theme by sharing photos of their travels to the area that document the spirit of spring and the new awakenings that it provides - Whether pictures of the natural landscape, of new family traditions, or of new friendships, the photographs should focus on the fresh starts provided by spending time in a stunning natural landscape.

Photos can be submitted to the Visitors Bureau’s Facebook page and click on the Manitou Moments tab. The contest will open immediately and will accept entrants until the 1st of September. Prizes will be awarded at the end of September. This will be the first of a series of four annual seasonal contests designed to highlight conducted annually to promote travel to the region. Each season’s contest will begin immediately following the closing of the previous season’s contest. Entrants are encouraged to submit a caption to explain their photograph and how it reflects the contest’s theme. Ten finalists will be determined by a jury of Visitors Bureau staff and the final prizes will be awarded based on the number of “likes” each photo receives on Facebook. For more information please visit, http://www.sleepingbeardunes.com/contest-rules/.

Manitou Moments Photography Competition

This is your Manitou. The place that you come to escape, the place where you rediscover the joys of spending time with the people you love, and who love you. The place where you remember how important it is to spend time in the great outdoors, and where you allow yourself to be indulged with fine food, world-class shopping, or a great massage.

This is your Manitou, but we’re asking you to share it with us. The first seasonal “Manitou Moments” photography competition is looking for your photographs of the landscape, amenities, and people who make the Sleeping Bear Dunes special to you. More specifically, we’re looking for photographs that capture the theme of “New Beginnings.” Send us pictures of the date that made you fall in love with your partner; of children discovering the joys of the dunes; of new friends; or of the landscape coming back to life after a hard winter.

Submissions for each seasonal contest will begin immediately following the close of the previous contest. Entrants are encouraged to submit a caption to explain their photograph and how it reflects the contest’s theme. Ten finalists will be determined by a jury of Visitors Bureau staff and the final prizes will be awarded based on the number of “likes” each photo receives on Facebook.

Schedule for Seasonal Contests
Spring: April 1 to June 15
Summer: June 15 to September 1
Fall: September 2 to November 30
Winter: December 1 to March 30

At the conclusion of each seasonal contest, 10 finalists will be selected by a jury. The winner will be the finalist with the most public votes on Facebook and will receive $100 gift card. The finalists will be featured on the Sleeping Bear Dunes Visitors Bureau website and the winner featured in the bureau’s annual publication Manitou, the Magazine of Leelanau.

For more information about the Sleeping Bear Dunes Visitors Bureau or Manitou Moments Photography Contest, contact Jamie Jewell, Public Relations 231.334.5524 | jamie@thehomesteadresort.com.

Hudsonville Ice Cream Dishes Up Patriotic "Summer Celebration" - Just in Time for Independence Day & National Ice Cream Month

Three cheers for the Red, White & Blue – as Michigan-based Hudsonville Ice Cream introduces its latest Limited Edition seasonal flavor, just in time for National Ice Cream Month (July).

Summer Celebration is an explosion of three delicious flavors – swirls of creamy vanilla ice cream, raspberry sherbet and blueberry sherbet – blended in a patriotic color scheme that even Uncle Sam would be proud to savor.

“We are excited to release our newest summer Limited Edition flavor, and this one certainly pays tribute to the red, white and blue,” says Caryn Beatty, from Hudsonville Ice Cream. “Summer Celebration is the perfect treat to scoop up on those lazy summer days spent with family and friends, when it just seems like everything deserves to be celebrated. A sweet mix of our Original Vanilla ice cream, with raspberry and blueberry sherbet, it is certain to be a hit with the whole family.”

In addition to Summer Celebration, Hudsonville is serving up three other Limited Edition summer seasonals, including:

• Grand Hotel Pecan Ball – Since 1887, the stately Grand Hotel has graced Mackinac Island with its signature sweeping porches and air of elegance. This new flavor replicates all the deliciousness of the hotel’s signature pecan ball dessert – made with vanilla ice cream, genuine Grand Hotel fudge and premium pecan pieces. *New for 2014.

• Tiger Traxx – Bring the taste of the ballpark home with you! Your family will stand up and cheer for creamy vanilla ice cream loaded with chocolate covered pretzel baseballs and a thick fudge swirl. This flavor is a grand slam favorite at Comerica Park and is the OFFICIAL Ice Cream of the Detroit Tigers!

• Strawberry Shortcake – Featuring a ribbon of strawberries swirled into vanilla ice cream with bite size pieces of pound cake, this sweet flavor takes the traditional summer dessert to new heights!

These, and countless other Hudsonville Ice Cream flavors can be found in grocery stores and ice cream parlors in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Illinois. In addition to its “All Season” flavors, which are available year round, several “Seasonal Flavors” are offered on a limited basis throughout the year.

Started in 1895 as a farmers’ cooperative, the Holland-based Hudsonville Creamery & Ice Cream is the largest manufacturer of branded ice cream in Michigan. For more than 80 years, this Midwest company has been producing its creamy, delicious ice cream – using many of its original flavors, while at the same time creating refreshing new recipes inspired by the Great Lakes.

Grizzly Peak Launches 4-Pack Limited-Release Bottle Distribution with Hellion Midwest IPA

Ann Arbor-founded Grizzly Peak Brewing Co. is taking its artfully crafted beers to new levels with this summer’s release of four-pack stubby bottles. Hellion – a 9.99%ABV/99.9IBU Midwest India Pale Ale – will be the first in the Grizzly Peak Series to hit store shelves the week of June 23.

“It really is a dream come true to see this Grizzly Peak Series released in bottles.” says Jon Carlson, who – along with Greg Lobdell, Ron Jeffries and Tony Grant – are the managing partners of the Northern United Brewing Co. (NUBCo). “Ron is a true artist, and these beers have been in the making since 1995 when Grizzly Peak served its first beer.

“We were really fortunate to be one of the first brew pubs to open in the state of Michigan and we really appreciate the Grizzly Peak family and friends that have made Grizzly Peak the #1 brew pub in the state when it comes to beer sales,” Carlson says. “Ron was one of the original brewers at Grizzly Peak when it first opened in 1995. He and Duncan Williams, the Grizzly Peak Pub Brewer, have collaborated on these recipes over many years. Now, we’re excited to release them in our trademark stubby bottles.”

In creating the new Grizzly Peak Series, the intent was to create beers that reflect the Midwest region: bold, hoppy and strong. For Hellion, the devil is in the details. Light touches of pale and wheat malts are blended with massive amounts of Amarillo, Cascade, Simcoe and Chinook hops, which create a wicked bitterness and the intense floral aromas of citrus and lush tropical fruits.

“These Grizzly Peak beers hold a special place in my heart,” says Jeffries. “This is where it all started for me and it has been great to collaborate with Duncan to create this Grizzly Peak series.”

All Grizzly Peak bottle distribution will be produced in at the NUBCo facility in Dexter and will be available in limited release. Next on the docket – Humongous, an Imperial Red Ale (9.6%ABV) and Berzerker, an Imperial Stout (10%ABV).

NUBCo encompasses the Grizzly Peak, Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales and North Peak brands, Civilized Spirits and Bonafide Wines, all dedicated to conservation, inspiration and locally sustainable practices. Find NUBC products at stores, restaurants, and bars all throughout Michigan, including: North Peak Brewing Company, Mission Table and Jolly Pumpkin Brewery, all in Traverse City; Jolly Pumpkin and Grizzly Peak, in Ann Arbor.

www.NUBCo.net
www.GrizzlyPeak.net

Michigan-Born/Nashville-Resident Kyle Jennings to Perform July 17 at The Homestead in Glen Arbor

American singer/songwriter Kyle Jennings arrived on the music scene in 2004 when his album “Shine” was released with Dark Horse Records in Nashville. Out of the box, Jennings’ music made an aggressive first impression likely due to cross-genre rock influences of his early youth, such as Journey, Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. A gritty mix of Americana, Rock, Country, and Blues marble Jennings’ musical style.

Raised in the rich Midwestern culture of Michigan's hard-wooded backcountry trails and the hard-working blue collar family, Jennings was the youngest of 3 kids from Comstock (between Kalamazoo and Battle Creek). Kyle comes to Northern Michigan after a recent appearance at the CMA Acoustic Music Festival in Nashville. Kyle is currently at work on his 3rd studio album set for release in the fall of 2014.

Tickets for Music on the Mountain are $15 in advance; $20 at the event. Special ticket packages also available: $39 for your choice of 3 or $55 for all 5 Music on the Mountain concerts. For tickets, click here.

The Homestead is Northern Michigan’s largest waterfront resort community located in the heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, an area voted by viewers of ABC’s Good Morning America as the “Most Beautiful Place in America”. Along with its unmatched natural setting and miles of frontage on Lake Michigan and the Crystal River, the resort offers guest pools, tennis and golf in the summer; downhill and cross country skiing in the winter; and shops, restaurants, meeting centers and the luxurious new Spa Amira throughout all four seasons.

For more information, visit www.thehomesteadresort.com or call 231.334.5100. “Like” The Homestead on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thehomesteadmi and follow on Twitter at @TheHomesteadMI.

Celebrate #WorldGinDay - Saturday, June 14 - with these Michigan-Made Spirits

The 6th Annual World Gin Day returns on Saturday, June 14 and Michigan distilleries are proud to showcase their locally-crafted spirits in celebration!

World Gin Day (#WorldGinDay) is a celebration of all things gin – giving connoisseurs a legitimate “excuse” to mix up a cocktail and learn about all of the exceptional gins that are currently on the market – especially those #MadeInMichigan.

Currently, a handful of gins are made in the Great Lakes State, including:

• Bilberry Black Hearts Organic Gin – Journeymen Distilling, Three Oaks
• Civilized Gin – Civilized Spirits, Traverse City
• Coppercraft Gin – Coppercraft Distilling, Holland
• Flatlanders Gin – Flat Landers Distillery, Grand Rapids
• Graying Gin – Two Birds Distilling, Kalamazoo
• Jack Pine Gin – Northern Latitudes Distillery, Lake Leelanau
• Knickerbocker Gin & Barrel Aged Knickerbocker Gin – New Holland Artisan Spirits, Holland
• Liberator Gin & Liberator Old Tom Gin – Valentine Distilling, Ferndale (Detroit)
• Old Cockney Gin – Two James Artisan Spirits, Detroit
• Peninsula Gin – Grand Traverse Distillery, Traverse City
• Ugly Dog Gin – Ugly Dog Distilling, Chelsea

Michigan’s craft distilling industry is growing at a rapid pace – ranking #4 in the nation in terms of overall number of distilleries (behind California, Oregon and Washington). To help unify the interests of the more than two dozen Michigan distilleries, the non-profit Michigan Craft Distillers Association was formed in 2014 to market the individual member businesses, their products and events, but also help bring a voice for the industry when it comes to legislative issues that affect the overall beverage industry.

www.SpiritsOfMichigan.com
www.facebook.com/SpiritsOfMichigan
www.twitter.com/MichiganSpirits

#MiDistillers #MiSpirits

Northern Michigan’s WKLT “Omelette & Friends” Show & Grand Traverse Corrections Department Raise $7600+ for Kohler Family

In a matter of hours on Sunday, June 8 – Omelette & Friends and other on air personalities from WKLT radio (the Ball Busters) and the Grand Traverse Corrections Department raised $7624 to help a local family struggling with a major medical issue by hosting a charity softball game and silent auction at Interlochen Field of Dreams.

Fifteen-year-old Christopher Kohler, a student at St. Mary’s School in Leelanau, was recently diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. The funds raised will be used to help the Suttons Bay family with transportation, food and hotel expenses during his testing and treatment at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids.

“We want to say thank you to everyone who was involved with last night,” said Amanda Kohler, Christopher’s mother. “I can only imagine all the work that went into pulling this together and all the donations and everyone who came to help. We greatly appreciate all of the support and help. It was really nice seeing Christopher having fun I know he enjoyed it too.”

“All I can say is Thank You to everyone who attended,” said John McPeake who organized the event for the Kohler family. “Everyone I ran in to had smiles and were in great spirits. Things couldn't have went better. Thank You to KLT and the Ball Busters – your participation put this event over the top. I believe the final count for donations in the silent auction was around 140 items. This just shows what a great community we live in.”

The day’s activities include an appearance by the Grand Traverse County Color Guard and the National Anthem being sung by Autum Rhoades. The game, which began with TC Resident and 2008 Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Dallas Drake slap-shooting out the first ball to Christopher, ended in a 10-8 victory for the Ball Busters – according to KLT’s Omelette & Friends Show Facebook page.

Those interested in making donations to help the Kohler family with additional expenses related to Christopher’s care, can do so at:

Amanda Kohler
County Corrections
320 Washington St
Traverse City 49684

Michigan Distilleries Unite to Form Statewide Organization - Michigan Craft Distillers Association

Michigan’s craft distilling industry is growing at a rapid pace – ranking #4 in the nation in terms of overall number of distilleries (behind California, Oregon and Washington). To help unify the interests of the more than two dozen Michigan distilleries, a statewide association has been formed.

The Michigan Craft Distillers Association is a non-profit organization charged with marketing the individual member businesses, their products and events, but also help bring a voice for the industry when it comes to legislative issues that affect the overall beverage industry.

Founding board members for the Michigan Craft Distillers Association are:

• President: Rifino Valentine, Valentine Distilling
• Vice President: Kent Rabish, Grand Traverse Distillery
• Secretary: Don Coe, Black Star Farms
• Treasurer: Kris Berglund, Red Cedar Spirits & Artisan Distilling at Michigan State University
• Director: Brett Vander Kamp, New Holland Artisan Spirits

Dianna Stampfler of Promote Michigan will serve as the association’s part-time Executive Director.

“In 2012, I was approached by several of the Michigan distilleries to research and form an organization to represent the industry’s needs,” says Stampfler, who has also worked as the publicist for the Michigan Brewers Guild since 2008. “It’s been a time-consuming process and although no formal organization was in place, the distilleries have been communicating and working together to develop and enhance their industry.”

Earlier this spring, through its grass-roots connections, Michigan distillers were encouraged to contact their local State Representatives when a “Farm to Glass” bill was introduced that originally didn’t include distilled spirits. As a result, lines of communication between the distillers and legislators were opened. The association’s board and executive director have been asked to meet with other Michigan craft beverage producers in June to see where there are overlapping needs that the groups can work collectively to reach. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation has also reached out to the association for help in planning a business-to-business summit in November.

“Even though the association wasn’t officially formed, the board and many of our future members have been working on various levels to raise awareness for Michigan’s craft distilling industry,” Stampfler says. “Not only is there is regular communication among the distilleries, but our social media channels are full of news clips focused on this rapidly-expanding industry. We’ve been busy – and now, we can formally move forward as the state’s official organization.”

Within the first year of operation, the Michigan Craft Distillers Association will strengthen its ties with other Michigan associations as well as national distiller organizations like the American Craft Distillers Association and the American Distilling Institute.

A directory and map identifying distillery locations is in the works, aimed to boost visits the individual tasting rooms and distilleries. The guide will also serve to encourage residents and visitors alike to seek out, ask for and sample the many Michigan-made craft spirits that are available in the marketplace. This publication will be distributed statewide at the Welcome Centers, chamber offices and visitor bureau offices, and will also be available online at SpiritsOfMichigan.com.

The Michigan Craft Distillers Association will offer membership to any operation actively distilling craft beverages in Michigan, as well as suppliers and retail establishments such as pubs, restaurants and beverage stores. An Enthusiast level membership will be offered in the future, allowing individual members of the general public to support the craft distilling industry.

www.facebook.com/SpiritsOfMichigan
www.twitter.com/MichiganSpirits

Acclaimed singer-songwriter and folk rocker Brandi Carlile Headlines 2014 Traverse City Summer Microbrew & Music Festival.

Two-day event scheduled for August 22-23 at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons Highlights 200+ craft beers, cider, mead and wine and a focus on Michigan breweries - Plus over 100 musicians, marching bands, food pairing, and Rare & Sour Beer Tours!

The 7th Annual 2014 Traverse City Summer Microbrew & Music Festival will take place at The Village of Grand Traverse Commons August 22-23, 2014. Traverse Magazine’s yearly Red Hot Best awards honored the Summer Microbrew & Music Festival again this year and Porterhouse Productions is looking forward to hosting another sold out event in Traverse City. Last year’s Festival raised $20,000 for the CherryT Ball Drop, local food banks, and Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center and hopes to continue doing so for years to come. Tickets to the popular regional event will be on sale Friday, June 13 at 10 a.m.

Tickets include five 8oz. pours, a custom tasting glass, 40 carefully selected national and international breweries with a large focus on Michigan craft brews, 200 varieties of microbrews, wines, ciders and meads, representatives or brewers from each brewery, craft beer education, live musical acts, marching bands, a silent disco DJ dance tent, and local food vendors.

Brandi Carlile will headline Friday at the 2014 Summer Traverse City Microbrew & Music Festival. On tour with her band, her emotionally powerful songwriting and acoustic guitar work soon is the dominant component of their sound, and they tour regularly, headlining venues and opening shows for artists like Dave Matthews, Shawn Colvin, and India.Arie. Friday talent will also include Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, with more to be announced. Headlining Saturday will be Nahko & Medicine For The People. In addition, Orgone and Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers will take the stage Saturday. Weekend festivities also include the Silent Disco tent, where Robert Lux, DJ DomiNate, DJ Terri Ray, and Stepdad will perform. More acts will be announced.

For Early Bird and VIP ticket buyers, doors open Friday at 4:00 p.m. and Saturday at 3:00 p.m., and General Admission doors will open at 5:00 p.m. on Friday and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. Shuttle transportation to and from the event will be provided by BATA. VIP tickets include side-stage viewing, Home Brewer’s Tasting/Judging, early VIP entrance into the festival, private bathrooms & handwashing station, Custom VIP glass, Food & Beer Pairing created by featured chef, custom beer-flavored cake, non-alcoholic Michigan-made Hop Soda, snacks and refreshments, seated dining area, lawn games featuring Kan Jam, and private hammock lounge area.


General Admission Tickets for Friday August 22: $40
General Admission Tickets for Saturday August 23: $40
General Admission 2-Day Combination Tickets: $70
VIP Tickets for Friday August 22: $90
VIP Tickets for Friday August 23: $90
VIP 2-Day Combination Tickets: $150

The Microbrew & Music Festival educates, celebrates, and inspires community collaboration through the joy of craft brew and great music while raising funds for non-profits.100% of net alcohol proceeds from the event will benefit CherryT Ball, a Traverse City non-profit organization.

Tickets are available at www.microbrewandmusic.com. Festival announcements, giveaways, and other information can be found at www.facebook.com/microbrewandmusic. Attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets early, as the festival has sold out in past years. Ticket buyers must be 21 years old.

The Homestead Offers Statement Following Threatening Phone Call to Michigan Senator Stabenow

In the wake of a threatening phone call made recently to the Traverse City offices of Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow, a discussion has emerged around the federal H-2B visa program, which allows employers to hire foreign guest workers for seasonal positions when the employers are unable to fill those jobs with local workers.

According to upnorthlive.com, the Leelanau County Sherriff’s office quoted the caller, a 61-year-old woman in Kasson Township, as demanding that Stabenow “‘stop illegals from coming into the country and taking away jobs from local workers.’” The woman went on to threaten that such “illegals” (referring specifically to the H-2B guest workers at The Homestead, a resort in Glen Arbor) would “be shot on sight” if Senator Stabenow failed to satisfy the caller’s demands. The same caller later admitted to the Sherriff’s office that she had placed an anonymous phone call to Adriene Kokowicz, a Vice President of The Homestead, in which she claimed to be a college student and requested information on the resort’s H-2B employees as part of a school research project.

As many comments on upnorthlive.com’s Facebook page and other social media outlets have observed, the guest workers employed at The Homestead and elsewhere through H-2B visa programs are not “illegals”: they have legal work visas and, thus, neither their presence in the U.S. nor their employment here is illegal. The purpose of H-2B visas is to enable foreign recipients to live and work in the U.S. legally, for a period of time, in specific positions that employers are otherwise unable to fill. Contrary to a common misunderstanding, H-2B workers do not work for lower pay or escape payroll taxes and other deductions: the H-2B program requires that employers pay all legally-required taxes and that participating workers be paid at or above the prevailing rate for comparable positions in the area. Kokowicz said The Homestead’s guest workers in the housekeeping department made between $12.13 and $14.14 per hour. The U.S. Department of Labor wage requirement for these positions is $10.21 per hour. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. State Senators recently voted to raise the Michigan minimum wage from $7.40 to $9.20 per hour. Thus, the wages that are being paid are far above all minimums.

Jamie Jewell, another Vice President at The Homestead, analyzed the actual cost to the resort for participating in the H-2B program. “There’s a perception that employers are trying to save money by hiring foreign workers… but people don’t realize that employers pay legal fees, governmental fees and one way travel expenses in addition to wages. We paid $15,893 in legal fees, another $10,200 to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and another $28,000 for travel expenses.” She continued, “We’ve all been upset not only by calls and threats, but also by some of the ill-informed online comments about immigration… Just this year, we used outdoor, print, display and digital ads to let workers know that we had many positions available. Unfortunately, there were not enough local workers to fill the available jobs.”

The Homestead’s President, Bob Kuras, reacted to the news from Stabenow’s office by saying that he is “shocked and profoundly disheartened to know that any member of our community would treat our Jamaican guests or any other worker with anything less than the dignity and respect they deserve.”

The matter is now in the hands of the Leelanau County Prosecutor’s office, and may ultimately involve federal authorities. In the meantime, members of The Homestead community are pulling together to support their Jamaican guest workers, many of whom have come back year-after-year and have become much-loved team members and friends.

For more information on the H-2B visa program, visit http://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/temporary-workers/h-2b-non-agricultural-workers/h-2b-temporary-non-agricultural-workers and http://www.dol.gov/whd/immigration/h2b.htm.

Palace Sports & Entertainment Presents 2nd Annual Michigan Beer Fest - Saturday, June 14 - DTE Energy Music Theatre, Clarkston

Palace Sports & Entertainment (PS&E) is celebrating great beers from nearly four dozen breweries and hosting an online contest to name an exclusive craft beer at the second annual Michigan Beerfest at DTE Energy Music Theatre, Saturday, June 14 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Tickets, $30 in advance and $35 at the door, are on sale now at Palacenet.com, The Palace Ticket Store and all Ticketmaster locations. Tickets may be also charged by phone to American Express, Discover, Visa and MasterCard by calling 800.745.3000. Parking is included in the price.

Patrons receive tickets for 10 four-ounce beer samples to taste beers from over 50 regional and national breweries. There will also be a “designated driver” ticket for $10 that includes two non-alcoholic beverages. Beerfest will also showcase craft beer seminars; live music; and a variety of food trucks.

Detroit-based Atwater Brewery and PS&E are co-hosting a contest to name an exclusive craft beer, awarding the winner “Beer for a Year” and two passes to this year’s Michigan Beer Fest. Applicants 21 years and older submitted their name for the craft beer and a panel of judges will narrow the entries down to three finalists. The public will decide the grand prize winner by voting online until May 21. The three finalists and one randomly selected voter will receive two passes to this year’s Michigan Beer Fest.

“As Detroit’s brewery, Atwater is excited to participate and partner with the 2014 Michigan Beerfest and showcase our award winning products to the best beer drinkers in the country,” said Mark F. Rieth, Atwater Brewery Owner. “We enjoy collaborating with other local companies like PS&E to make the experience even better for the public and this is going to be a great one!”

FEATURED BREWERIES

51 North Brewery
Anchor Steam
Angry Orchard Hard Cider
Arbor Brewing Company
Arcadia Ales
Atwater Brewery
Bell’s Brewery
Blue Moon Brewing Co.
Boston Beer Co,
Boulder Beer
Brewery Vivant
Brooklyn Brewery
Cheboygan Brewing Co.
Cranker’s Brewery
Dark Horse Brewing Co.
Dragonmead Microbrewery
Falling Down Beer Co.
Founders Brewing Co.
Frankenmuth Brewery
Goose Island Brewery
Great Lakes Brewing Co.
Green Flash Brewing Co.
Griffin Claw Brewing Co.
Harpoon Brewery
Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co.
Latitude 42 Brewing Co.
Liberty Street Brewing Co.
Magic Hat Brewing Co
McKenzie's Hard Cider
Millking it Productions
Mt. Pleasant Brewing Co.
New Belgium Brewing Co.
New Holland Brewing Co.
North Peak Brewing Co.
Perrin Brewing
Right Brain Brewery
Rochester Mills Beer Co.
Round Barn Brewery
Saugatuck Brewing Co.
Shiner Bock
Short’s Brewing Co.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Stone Brewing Co.
Superior Lakes Mead
Thirsty Dog Brewing Co.
Tommyknocker Brewery
Uncle John's Cider Mill
Unibroue
Vandermill Ciders
Vermont Hard Cider Co.
Virtue Cider

But there’s more than beer:

• Select breweries will participate in a “Tap Takeover” – every hour a different brewery (to be announced) will be highlighted at the “takeover,” offering samples of a limited supply of a featured brew;

• Food trucks from Dago Joe’s, El Guapo Grill, Mac Shack, People's Pierogi Collective, Shimmy Shack and strEAT mobile bistro;

• And vintage truck lovers will get a chance to check out refurbished and repurposed, mint condition trucks from Powers Distributing – the only drivable 1946 Mack Truck in the world, a 1936 Chevrolet and a 1952 Dodge.

Proceeds from the Michigan Beerfest will benefit Lighthouse PATH, one of the three program subsidiaries of Lighthouse of Oakland County empowerment program which provides two years of transitional housing in a safe and structured environment that offers homeless mothers an opportunity to rebuild their lives by helping them gain the skills needed for future success. They will have representatives on site to provide craft beer samplings. For more information on Lighthouse PATH, go to www.lighthouseoakland.org.

Michigan Beerfest at DTE Energy Music Theatre is part of the Belle Tire Concert Series.

About Lighthouse of Oakland County: Lighthouse of Oakland County and its three program subsidiaries (Lighthouse Emergency Services, Lighthouse PATH and Lighthouse Community Development) have been providing services to low-income individuals, seniors and families in southeast Michigan since 1972. They offer a continuum of programs and services to help people reach their goal of financial stability and self-sufficiency. Lighthouse PATH is a transitional supportive housing program designed to help homeless women and children gain the skills and confidence needed to live safely and independently.

Lansing Beer Week & Lansing Beer Fest Coming Up Mid June (Fest tickets on sale May 14 - 10am)

I’m a Beer Hound and Motor City Brew Tours presents the 3rd Annual Lansing Beer Week will take place from June 20 to June 28, 2014. This weeklong celebration will feature Michigan craft beer themed events throughout the greater Lansing area. The goal of Lansing Beer Week is to raise awareness of the craft beer industry while promoting patronage to local establishments and stimulating the greater Lansing area’s retail economy and Michigan made products.

Local breweries and beer centric bars will be offering craft beer themed events ranging from beer dinners to tap takeovers to special giveaways. Participating establishments include Zoobies Tavern, REO Town Pub, Midtown Beer Company, Reno's East and Reno's West, BAD Brewery, Tin Can, Taps 25, Nuthouse Sports Grill, Lansing Lugnuts, That's How We Brew, HopCat - East Lansing, Eagle Monk Brewery & Pub, What Up Dawg and Peppino's - East Lansing.

Lansing Beer Week concludes with Lansing Beer Fest in the Reo Town area of downtown Lansing on Saturday June 28th. The second annual Lansing Beer Fest is an outdoor beer festival occurring on Washington Avenue between South and Elm streets. The beer festival will feature 30 Michigan Breweries and nearly 100 craft beers and hard ciders. To see the full list of breweries attending, please visit the Lansing Beer Fest website. In addition to the great beer selection, the festival will feature live music by Mark Wayne Warner, Joe Wright and Lights & Caves. Food and vendors will be available to all attendees. A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit the Reo Town Commercial Association.

Lansing Beer Fest tickets will officially go on sale Wednesday May 14, 2014 at 10am.

Learn more about all of the Lansing Beer Week events at: http://LansingBeerWeek.com

Learn more about all of the Lansing Beer Fest at: http://LansingBeerFest.com

About I'm a Beer Hound
I'm a Beer Hound is a Michigan Beer News Website, Membership Card and Event Promoter.
Find us online: http://ImaBeerHound.com

About “Motor City Brew Tours”
Guided Bus, Bike & Walking Tours to Michigan Breweries.
Find us online: http://MotorCityBrewTours