Lake Michigan Destinations

February 20-25, 2012

Celebrate the blues, the winter blues at the 3rd Annual Winter Blues Festival Monday-Sunday, February 20-25, 2012 in downtown Petoskey. Beat the winter blues during the fun-filled events held the entire week.

Returning by popular demand is the Key Hunt. Hunt for clues in Downtown businesses. Winner receives a treasure chest of great prizes and gift certificates. Clue cards will be available February 22 either on-line or at the Petoskey Downtown offices.

Monday, February 20 New Event! Kids Day, 10am-4pm. Children and parents are welcome on this holiday (President’s Day) to visit participating stores and enjoy games, puzzles, activities, arts and crafts, story time and more.

Snowman Building Contest, 12-1:30 pm, Pennsylvania Park. Families, children, adults are all invited to come to create a Winter Blues Festival snow sculpture. It can be your basic snowman, or woman, have a theme--let your creativity and shovels do their thing. Contestants (teams allowed) will have one hour to complete their entry. Judging will take place at 1:15pm with prizes awarded at 1:30pm. Snow creations will be judged on creativity and originality and the best sculpture will win first prize. A second prize will be given for the entry that most closely relates to the Winter Blues Festival theme. Sponsored by the YMCA of Northern Michigan and Bearcub Outfitters.

Pro-Am Hot Dish Cookoff This event, now in its fourth year, will be at Mackinaw Trail Winery from 5-6:30 pm. Judging by the public will take place from 5-6pm, with decisions and prizes from 6-6:30 pm. Restaurants will compete in the professional category, and individuals in the amateur category. Cost to judge is $5 and proceeds will go to Manna Food Project.

Tuesday, February 21 New Event! Pamper the Blues Away. A day featuring all of our downtown salons. 10am-4pm. Visitors and residents can receive great new services and be pampered all day.

Petoskey’s Got Talent, 7:30pm, City Park Grill. You must be 18 years old to enter. Contestants can enter as individuals or groups. Semifinals at 7:30pm. Finals at 9:30pm. You must register in advance. Registration forms online.

Wednesday, February 22 Wonder Wednesday, 10am-4pm. Businesses in the Downtown area will be conducting lectures, hands-on workshops, demonstrations and more on this reincarnation of Petoskey’s Wonder Weekend. Want to learn how to conduct a wine-tasting, or make award-winning chocolate cookies. How about mixology, or how to knit? You can learn it all during Wonder Wednesday.

New event! Ghost Walk, 7pm. Tickets are $5 per person for this walking tour through Downtown Petoskey. Learn all about the ghosts and ghoulies that inhabit our Downtown businesses.

Thursday, February 23 Chocoholic Frolic, 10am-6pm. Join the Chocoholic Frolic and pick up your scorecard at the Downtown Offices or participating stores, and visit the Downtown businesses that will offer samples of chocolate. Complete your card for a chance to win a great prize.

New event! Blue’s Brews, a pub crawl throughout Downtown Petoskey. Times, details and locations to be announced.

Friday, February 24, 10am-2pm. New event! Dress Blues, a progressive fashion show throughout Downtown stores. Live mannequins show off the latest “blue” fashions. Shoppers can pick up a card listing the participating stores and times for models.

New event! The Fur Ball, 7pm, Stafford’s Perry Hotel, an evening of music, food and fun, supporting the Little Traverse Bay Humane Society. Details to come.

Saturday, February 25 Chase the Blues 5KFun Run/Walk Runners and walkers are invited to chase away the winter blues in a Fun Run/Walk at 8:30am. Starting line-up is at the gazebo in Pennsylvania Park. Course maps and registration forms can be found online. Participants will receive a blue hat, and food and water will be provided along the way. Entry fee is a donation of hats, gloves, mittens, scarves or blankets for the Community Free Clinic.

Family Games, 10am on. There will be a chess tournament, historic walking tours, and a 20 questions game for the whole family.

Whine and Dine, 6pm, 3rd annual progressive dinner. Cost is $45 per person.

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