Michigan Summer Solstice Celebration at Porcupine Mountains Folk School on June 21 – Rain or Shine
The Friends of the Porkies invite the public to join them for the second annual Summer Solstice Celebration at the Porcupine Mountains Folk School, located inside Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Ontonagon, on Friday, June 21. There will be a traditional bonfire, music, fun and friendship beginning at 7 p.m. On that day the sun will rise at 6:02 a.m. and set at 9:55 p.m. in Ontonagon. Darkness will not descend until 12:50 a.m., resulting in 15 hours and 52 minutes of daylight, making it the longest day of the year. After a hearty winter and a very late spring, the summer solstice – the official beginning of summer – is more welcome than ever!
Fine local musicians for this year’s spectacular event include Dale Venema, Yvonne Blake and family members, Dick Sarnwick, Peg Carrothers and her family, Eli Halpin and Jim Jessup. The evening will begin inside the folk school with a short introduction on the science as well as cultural traditions surrounding the solstice. A bonfire will occur on the folk school grounds, accompanied by a very short ceremony. It promises to be an enjoyable evening of fire, fun and music for all ages to celebrate the beginning of summer and being together.
Guests may bring snacks and refreshments, a lawn chair or blanket and acoustic musical instruments for later in the evening. This year a few solstice poems will be read to welcome summer 2013, and there also promises to be dancing. The celebration will take place rain or shine.
The evening is a gift to the community from the Friends of the Porkies, and there is no charge to attend. The Porcupine Mountains Folk School is located next to the Union Bay Campground on the Lake Superior side of Engineers Memorial Highway 107. No pets, please. Please call 906-884-7663 for additional information or directions.
The Recreation Passport is an easy, affordable way for residents to enjoy and support outdoor recreation opportunities in Michigan. By checking “YES” for the $11 Recreation Passport ($5 for motorcycles) when renewing a license plate through the Secretary of State (by mail, kiosk, online at www.expresssos.com or at branch offices), Michigan motorists get access to state parks, recreation areas, state forest campgrounds, nonmotorized state trailhead parking and state boat launches. In addition, Recreation Passport holders can enjoy real savings at businesses and retailers that participate in the Passport Perks discount program. The Recreation Passport is valid until the next license plate renewal date. Nonresidents can purchase the Recreation Passport ($30.50 annual; $8.40 daily) at any state park or recreation area or through the Michigan e-Store at www.michigan.gov/estore.
Learn more about this creative way of sustaining Michigan’s outdoor recreation and natural resources at www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport. For information on Passport Perks shopping discounts or how businesses and retailers can enroll in the program, visit www.michigan.gov/passportperks.
