For one week each year Michigan celebrates its history with a series of special events. Michigan Week May 19-26 officially kicks off a summer loaded with festivals and events in Michigan's two peninsulas. There are even several Michigan A-Z activities and learning tools for kids.

How can you argue, when the State motto is "Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam Circumspice" and translates to "If You Seek a Pleasant Peninsula, Look About You". I've had the pleasure of living or traveling in all 83 Counties over the past 50 years.

Here are some of this year's special events and festivals. Please take some time to browse the links. If you're relocating to Michigan, I highly recommend taking some of the Michigan Driving Tours, viewing some of Michigan's Lighthouses, and enjoying the Wine Country Tour.

A visit to Michigan is not complete unless you Visit Mackinac Island with it's Lilac Festival, horse drawn carriage rides, and the terrific trip over from Mackinac City or St. Ignace. This year is the 50^th anniversary of the Mackinac Bridge so there will be two bridge walks, one in July and the annual Labor Day bridge walk. While you're in the area, perhaps Ron Mienk can help you find your first or second home in the Eastern UP or Straits area. I lived here for many years. This is the perfect 4 season's sports area, complete with an International Airport in Chippewa County.

Looking for something the first week of July? Try the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City. Like the area? Real Estate One has 4 offices in Traverse City. Stop in and ask Gwen Hall for a tour of lakefront beauties.  If Lake Michigan is rough and the weather bad, drive up to Petoskey and look for our state stone in the surf.

Or, kayak on the Inland Waterway. While you're in the area, maybe you can get Stefan Scholl to help you find the perfect second home. Later in the summer, there's the Upper Peninsula State Fair in Escanaba and the Michigan State Fair in Detroit.

Is Wine Country your thing? There is no whining about traffic in this part of the State. Very scenic country and the best spot for your fall color tour. Need some help? Contact Mary Dewitt. She is my choice for this area. Another Real Estate One agent, she knows the Leelanau Peninsula, its wine country and the Sleeping Bear Dunes area. Seclusion, yet close to Traverse City.

Michigan's "Other Great Lakes" (I love the marketing) Houghton and Higgins Lake make the perfect day trip from southeastern Michigan. This is another 4 season area in Michigan with a very active civic association. If you're thinking about this area, give Susan Bushman a call. She will treat you right!

 Thinking of vacationing in Michigan? Additional information can be found on these websites and in my Blog Index.  Sorry if you're living elswhere. You just don't know what you're missing!

 Order Michigan Travel Magazine

Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival

More Michigan Fairs are available at Michigan Association of Fairs

Upper Peninsula Calendar of Events & Travel Planner

Camping and RV Locations http://www.marvac.org/places_region5_2007.html

End of Part One: sponsored by Gary Smith, The Michigan Group, 6870 Grand River Ave, Brighton, Michigan All photos from flickr.com photo sharing. Michigan Week logo, downloaded with permission.