As now in October... by sgs_1019

A sampling of Michigan festivals & events for the month of October. As usual, there's no way we'll get them all, so please add links and information about those we've missed (or reviews of ones we have here) in the comments below.

There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October.
- Nathaniel Hawthorne

"But I remember more dearly autumn afternoons in bottoms that lay intensely silent under old great trees"
- C. S. Lewis

"On the motionless branches of some trees, autumn berries hung like clusters of coral beads, as in those fabled orchards where the fruits were jewels . . ."
- Charles Dickens

Thru October 25
Grey Hare Inn Grape Harvest Stomps Traverse City
A 2 hr. Old World Grape Harvest experience of hand picking grapes and stomping them with your feet in a wooden vat, vineyard tours, tasting of the wine made from the inn's grapes at Peninsula Cellars, and tastes of local agricultural produce. Private parties for a minimum of 10 people can be arranged for any late summer and fall date; or join the Grey Hare Inn Vineyard Grape Harvest Stomp for individuals on either September 13 or 14th.

October 1 - 31
Michigan's Upper Peninsula Calendar of Events UP
Comprehensive listing of events in the Upper Peninsula provided via the Upper Peninsula Travel & Recreation Association.

October 3 - 4
Old Town Oktoberfest Lansing
Lansing's only German-style festival, will feature all things German, including live Polka, tasty food, and of course, wonderful German beers. Old Town Oktoberfest will take place Friday, October 3; from 6 - 11 p.m. and Saturday, October 4; from 2-10 p.m.

October 3 - 5
Scarecrow Festival Trenton
The Trenton Scarecrow Festival is one of the best of its kind in the Southeast Michigan area. We are a Family event for all ages - a fall festival featuring a Scarecrow Contest a Dog Costume contest, children's area with games/rides, a carnival, local and national musical acts, a karaoke Scarecrow Idol contest, and many other events.

October 4
Oktoberfest Douglas
The party kicks off at 4 p.m. Saturday in the bier tent at Beery Field on Center Street. While it is not Germany, it does have a very festive atmosphere! Drop in for some beer, brats, prizes galore, and music!

October 4
History, Mystery & Haunting: JOHN LAU SALOON Alpena
Enjoy a very special evening of storytelling and ghost hunting with Kat and Bev, authors of "Haunted Travels of Michigan" and the experienced paranormal duo of Matt and Melanie Moyer, founders of Mid-Michigan Paranormal Investigators. The John Lau Saloon has an interesting history that centers around the lumberjack era and the saloon's first owners, John and Agnes Lau. It was a time when men worked hard, drank hard and fought hard. Join Kat and Bev as they tell their story of the saloon's early days and their investigation with Mid Michigan Paranormal Investigators. Then join Mid Michigan Paranormal on a Ghost Tour/Hunt of the saloon. They will take you to places few guests ever seen. Registrion begins at 6:30. Prices includes 4-course dinner and a copy of the book, "Haunted Travels of Michigan".

October 4
Little Traverse Lighthouse Tour Harbor Springs
The Harbor Springs Area Historical Society, in cooperation with the Harbor Point Association, will offer a unique chance for the public to tour the privately owned Little Traverse Light. In addition, visitors will be able to see and hear an authentic fog-bell striker, perhaps the only such operating mechanism in the United States. The guided tours will include talks by Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association (GLLKA) members.

October 4
The Red Flannel Festival Cedar Springs
This will be the 69th Annual Celebration of Red Flannel Day since 1939. The festival is held each year on the First Saturday of October. Located just north of Grand Rapids, Michigan...Cedar Springs is a city with small-town charm and home-grown characteristics.

October 4
Michigan Mountain Bike Downhill State Championship Boyne Falls
Downhill MTB race and Michigan state championships MTB weekend.
Course Description: Downhill races - two different courses approximately two and three minute runs 9:30 am to 1:00 pm: Downhill race registration.

10:00 am: Downhill race #1 open practice; 11:00 am: Downhill race #1 starts - riders go every 60 seconds - 1 run; 2:00 pm: Downhill race #2 starts - riders go every 60 seconds - 1 run; 3:00 pm: Downhill race awards.

Noon - Dark: Open riding of Michigan Mountain Bike Cross Country State.

October 4 - 5 & 11 - 12
Benzie County Fallfest Benzie
Enjoy a scenic chair lift ride or visit a haunted forest! Taste the different soups in the Fall Soup Contest, watch the Pumpkin Carving of Ed Moody, or guess the weight in the Giant Pumpkin Weigh off! Enjoy the parade, or canoe or kayak while enjoying the beautiful colors of Fall!

October 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 & 26
The Famous Pumpkin Train Coopersville & Marne Railway
Saturday trains depart the station at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Passengers are entertained with music, jokes, songs and dance written especially for the youngest riders and performed by The Great Pumpkin, Scarecrow and Little Crow.

October 4 - 31
Colorfall Grand Rapids
This October, you're guaranteed to fall under our spell, because there’s a magic to Meijer Gardens this time of year. Enchantments of scarlet and yellow and gold. Trees so brilliant they can seem to have burst into flames--wonders of light and energy. We offer one of the largest mum displays in Michigan, with vivid colors everywhere.

October 5 - 9
Lake Superior Color Adventure Mears
Those who can’t get enough of autumn in Northern Michigan will want to take advantage of this tour to the pristine Lake Superior region. You will visit the historic Whitefish Point Light Station, experience the sand blows along Lake Superior and jokingly try to find the ‘beaver dam.’ Drive remote trails to the private side of the Tahquamenon Falls and see the private of seeing the falls like very few do. The package includes four nights accommodations in rustic cabins at a historic 100 year old lodge, overlooking a private lake, and seven generous meals served family style.

October 9 - 12
Great Lakes Lighthouse FestivalAlpena
Now in it's 13th year, the four day event provides activities for the young and old including lighthouse tours (aerial, boat or personal vehicle), entertainment, and vendors. The festival boasts over 100 maritime related vendors including lighthouse preservation groups, artists, authors and more.

October 10
Food, Wine and All That Jazz Grand Rapids
West Michigan’s premier wine tasting event at The Public Museum in Grand Rapids. During the evening, choose from over 300 domestic wine and beer selections from throughout North America, as well as tables of select gourmet foods. Enjoy these tastes against a backdrop of live jazz by The Sheila Landis Trio and The Jim Cooper Trio.

October 10 - 11
Color Cruise & Island Festival Grand Ledge
Take a trip down memory lane in an old-fashioned covered wagon or glide down the scenic Grand River on a riverboat. Pioneer demonstrations captivate visitors with freshly popped black kettle caramel corn, live folk music, traditional dance and more.

October 10 - 11
Applefest Days Charlevoix
Apple fest days at Friske's Farm Market Wagon rides, U-pick apples, our own Miss Apple everything apples. Twister Joe will entertain with balloon art, & live music with "ONE ACCORD" will join us on Saturday the 11th! At the market: apple pie, apple donuts, caramel apples, and apple brats in the cafe. It’ll be a bushel of fun at Friske's!!

October 10 - 13
Harvest Days Harbor Country
Harvest Days in Harbor Country is celebrated October 10-13. This three-day weekend gives ample time to explore farm and field, but it also brings the celebration to the back door of our many shops, galleries, restaurants and lodging facilities. Many of our Harbor Country businesses-from New Buffalo, Three Oaks, Union Pier, Lakeside, Harbert and Sawyer-host special events that include open houses, gallery and artist receptions, culinary demonstrations, special sales, and family fun activities.

October 10 - 12, 17 - 19, 24 - 26
Hallowe’en in Greenfield Village Dearborn
Step back in time to a turn-of-the-20th century Hallowe’en. Follow an endless path of hand-carved jack-o-lanterns and meet colorful characters along the way. Feel the whoosh as the headless horseman rides by, banter with a clever witch, and make stops at several treat stations spread throughout Greenfield Village. It’s frightfully fun for the whole family!

October 11 - 12
CRANE FEST XIV Baker Sanctuary
Anywhere between 2,000 - 6,000 Sandhill cranes congregate at the Michigan Audubon Baker Sanctuary along with thousands of birders! This event is the largest wildlife congregation in Michigan that attracts as many as 10,000 folks over the weekend.

October 15
An Evening in the Log House Jackson
In the twilight of an autumn evening step back in time to the 1830s for a taste of the past. On Wednesday, October 15, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. join Ella Sharp Museum of Art and History Executive Director Chris Gordy and his wife, Susan, for the ambiance and culinary fare of an earlier Jackson.

The Gordys, with over 30 years of period cooking experience, will prepare an authentic early 19th century dinner with proceeds going to benefit the Museum. Using period recipes and methods-including bake ovens and kettles, the menu includes such fare as Planked Whitefish, Butternut Squash Soup, Roasted Beef with Forcemeat, and Bird's Nest Pudding with Crème Anglais. Fiddle music will create a warm and lively atmosphere.

This is the first time visitors have been allowed to dine in what was once early Jackson resident Eli Stilson's log home. This unique opportunity to benefit the Museum is $150 per person. A complete menu is listed on the Museum website.

October 17-19
History, Mystery & Haunting: THE TERRACE INN Petoskey
A Ghost Hunters Weekend! A very special "Ghost Hunters Weekend" will be held Oct 17-19, 2008 at the Terrace Inn. The excitement begins Friday night as guests hear authors, Kathleen Tedsen & Beverlee Rydel (Haunted Travels of Michigan) tell the haunted story of the inn. A signed copy of their book will be available for purchase. Appetizers will be served. Saturday guest enjoy a delicious dinner. A paranormal investigation will begin after dinner with a team of researchers, Organization for the Research & Science of the Paranormal, who will show you the "ins and outs" of ghost hunting. Participants should bring a digital camera and/or audio recorders for this portion of the event. Plan to be up late Saturday night as the "best" activity occurs around 3 a.m.! Sunday we'll have breakfast, lots of coffee and even let you have a noon checkout!

October 19
Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Marathon Detroit
Get down to Motown for the 2008 Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Marathon! They're celebrating their 31st anniversary with an exhilarating, world-class, international marathon. With a unique course crossing the U.S./Canadian border twice and great musical entertainment along the way, there’s no end to the excitement of running this race!

October 24 - 25
The Michigan Story Festival Mt. Pleasant
The two-day Michigan Story Festival offers a complete showcase of the power of storytelling in all its art forms. Michigan Story Festival is one of the only storytelling festivals to integrate the stories of many cultures and traditions. With the exception of the opening and closing performances, there is no charge to experience the magic of Michigan Story Festival events and presentations.

October 25, 2005
History, Mystery & Haunting: THE WHITNEY RESTAURANT Detroit
An evening to be remembered! First enjoy a three-course meal at this beautiful, 5-star restaurant. Later, Kathleen Tedsen and Beverlee Rydel, authors of "Haunted Travels of Michigan" will tell the Whitney story and, in association with paranormal team HIGHLAND GHOST HUNTERS, will share their experience and evidence collected during a two-night investigation. You may be in for a surprise! Photographs, Video & Audio Presented. A ghost hunt will follow.

Also be sure to check out Absolute Michigan keywords "haunted", "maze", "apple" and "harvest"!