PHOTO: Courtesy of Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc. "World of Winter," Jan. 12-March 10, 2024
BY JOHN D. GONZALEZ
On our most recent episode of "Behind the Mitten," we recorded our Michigan Winter show from Houghton Lake, a great destination in Roscommon County known for great Lakes (Houghton, Higgins and St. Helen) and winter fun!
It was our first time exploring the area, and we're so glad we a great tour guide in Theresa Ekdorm of the Houghton Lake Area Tourism Bureau.
She filled us in on a couple major events -- Tip-Up Town USA (Jan. 20-21, Jan. 27) in Houghton Lake and Winterfest (Feb. 16-17) in Roscommon/Higgins Lake, which both rely on snow and ice. On the day we recorded, that snow and ice had not yet come.
But, obviously, that's not a concern now!
Events for Tip-Up Town include a parade, fireworks, fishing tournament, 5k race, carnival, hunting for medallions and more! There's even a bull riding rodeo. Learn more at houghtonlakechamber.net. Learn more about Winterfest at hlrcc.com.
This episode includes:
Details regarding Tip-Up Town USA and Winterfest in Higgins Lake. Interview with Theresa Ekdorm. They celebrate their 74th year this season.
What you need to know about the I-500 in Sault Ste. Marie (Jan. 28-Feb. 3). Interview with longtime friend Linda Hoath of I Love the Soo!
Info about Zehnder's Snowfest in Frankenmuth (Jan 24-28). Interview with John Shelton of Zehnder's of Frankenmuth restaurant. They celebrate their 33rd year as a festival.
And everything you need to know about the two-month long World of Winter in Grand Rapids (Jan. 12-March 10). Interview with Randy Finch, Ice Guru of Grand Rapids who has toured the world and featured on national television for his ice sculpting.
We hope you tune in to this episode. It was a lot of fun.
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