The Mackinac Island Lilac Festival brings people together to celebrate the breathtaking beauty and delightful aroma of the iconic flower that has become synonymous with the idyllic Michigan vacation spot. The 10-day event held each June also marks the symbolic start of summer in the USA’s Best Summer Travel Destination.
Here’s a handful of things to know about the Lilac Festival and how you can plan to be a part of the tradition:
Mackinac Island Lilac Festival is a Longstanding Tradition
The Mackinac Island Lilac Festival has been a cherished event since it was first held in 1949. The original goal was to celebrate the abundance of lilacs blooming throughout Mackinac Island in a way that honored the island’s car-free heritage. The solution: a horse-drawn parade to celebrate “Mackinac Island Lilac Day.”
Over the years, that inaugural one-day event has grown into a 10-day extravaganza with a wide array of activities and entertainment.
Mackinac Island Lilac Festival Has Something For Everyone
From taking a relaxing stroll through downtown Mackinac Island and browsing Main Street’s unique shops and boutiques to experiencing the adrenaline rush of the Lilac Festival 10K run, there’s something for everyone to enjoy during the 10-day party. Festivities include a coronation of the Lilac Festival queen, a Grand Parade and so many other activities such as gardening workshops, art classes and flower tours.
Check out the full Mackinac Island Lilac Festival Schedule
Mackinac Island Has a Lilac Festival Queen
A tradition of the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival is the coronation of the cherished Lilac Queen. Each year the students of Mackinac Island Public School vote to select one of their peers to be Lilac Queen. An honored nomination, the Lilac Queen is recognized for her devotion to being a good classmate and an active member of the Mackinac Island community. The queen is crowned on the very first day of the festival, and later rides in a horse and carriage float in the festival’s Grand Parade. She then reigns again until the following year when the next Lilac Queen steps in to fill her shoes.
Mackinac Island Lilac Festival Has a Big Parade
The Mackinac Island Lilac Festival’s Grand Parade happens to be one of the last remaining horse-drawn parades in the world. A variety of unique and memorable floats are created by island businesses and organizations, offering a memorable spectacle for the entire family. Float submissions compete for parade trophies awarded by a panel of judges at the event’s conclusion. Entries from year to year typically include high school marching bands, entertainers such as the Scottville Clown Band and many others sure to offer a good time for everyone in attendance.
You Can Design the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival Poster
Each year, the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival solicits entries for a Poster Contest. Judges determine a winner whose artwork becomes the festival’s featured poster, while the top 20 entries are put on display during the festival when the public can vote on a People’s Choice Award winner.
RELATED MACKINAC ISLAND BLOGS:
- The backstory on Mackinac Island’s love affair with lilacs
- Why there are so many beautiful lilacs on Mackinac Island
- What it’s like to visit Mackinac Island in June
- Where to see gardens and flowers on Mackinac Island
Plan now to be a part of the scents and sights of the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival. The amazing 10-day lilac festival attracts thousands of visitors each year. Book your place to stay on Mackinac Island and start planning your own unforgettable experience of the one-of-a-kind Lilac Festival!
