Old Fashioned Christmas Photographers in Michighan
Old-Fashioned Christmas in Manistee, Michigan
Cider, chestnuts, pines and a parade make full an former-fashioned holiday weekend in Manistee.
River Street flows downwardly the center of Manistee, Michigan; information technology's a sleepy stretch that thunders to life for one weekend each December, when a squad of horses delivers a towering Christmas tree, the symbol of the town's holiday celebration. For 25 years, Manistee's turn-of-the-20th-century buildings have stood witness to the procession while 10,000 revelers (in a town with a population of six,220) recollect Christmases by.
But that's just the final slice of the annual Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Former Christmas Weekend (December 1–iv, 2016). Events leading upward to the no-cars-allowed parade give visitors a chance to shake off vacation stress at kids' fine art shows, pageants, a soup cook-off, a crafts show and more than. And the furnishings of that community spirit sweep through town, where time feels sweetly slowed amongst festooned boutiques, eateries, antiques shops and bookstores.
Equus caballus-drawn carriages help visitors experience the festival's Victorian feel.
Virtually lx miles south of Traverse Metropolis, this sometime lumber town is a summertime haven for agile travelers who want to paddle the Little Manistee River and hike along the Lake Michigan shore. All of that feels decidedly distant during this winter weekend's Sleighbell Prince and Princess Pageant. Attendees climb the polished onetime wooden staircase leading to the restored 1903 Ramsdell Theater'southward ballroom, where a line of pint-size contestants, fidgeting in their holiday finest, await their turn at the mic.
"What is something that makes you feel special?" the primary of ceremonies asks a freckle-faced second-grader. "Hugs," she says without hesitation.
Downstairs, docents pb tours of the theater, where James Earl Jones performed in his starting time Othello, then invite guests to settle into the burgundy velvet seats for the Manistee Civic Players' presentation of a classic vacation play (A Christmas Story this year).
Community events and shopping fill nearly visitors' time during the weekend. The 140-vendor Sleighbell Craft Show and Bazaar packs the parking lot at the loftier schoolhouse with cars; in the boutiques along River Street, window displays showcase entries in the citywide gingerbread-house contest. Shopkeepers dressed in Victorian-Era clothes invite passersby into their stores, while merrymakers wander the street, drinks and snacks in paw. Carriages pulled by draft horses roll past, the steady clop-clop-clop providing background rhythm for the contumely band playing beneath the renovated Vogue Theater marquee. A handbell choir rings out holiday tunes as the buttery-burnt scent of roasted chestnuts wafts down the street. In the basement of the First Congregational Church building, ladies serve the annual Lumberjack Luncheon-hearty beef stew, flaky biscuits and homemade Michigan scarlet pie. A company named Vern looks on in wonder from his seat in the church basement. "I'm from out of town, but I've been doing some piece of work for the city here all week, and I stuck around to encounter for myself what all this fuss was most," he says. He shakes his head over his hot loving cup of java. "Information technology actually is something, isn't it?"
Outside, parade-goers meander to a good viewing spot, taking time to slide a dollar into the palm of the boy scooping popcorn exterior The Outpost clothing store and snagging a steaming cup of gratis hot apple tree cider forth the way. The crowd grows virtually impassible, its anticipation building as the dusk deepens to nighttime and stars brainstorm to smooth.
The trees at the parade'south end stretch at least 30 feet fall.
The parade begins. Concern people, civic volunteers and schoolhouse groups proudly march by earlier hooves on pavement announce the thou finale. Two teams of horses pass past, each towing an enormous Christmas tree. Volunteers scramble to go the trees in place, and a quick flip of a switch brings both to twinkling light. Fireworks burst overhead and ignite the sky. For these few moments in Manistee, all is not calm, merely all is most certainly vivid.
Trip guide
What to do
Manistee County Historical Museum Bout a Christmas-theme exhibit and encounter a toy train display featuring Lionel and American Flyer models from the 1930s and 1940s. (231) 723-5531; manisteemuseum.org
Old Christmas Weekend The 2016 event runs Dec 1–4. Crafters and artisans gear up at Manistee High School for the Sleighbell Craft Show and Bazaar; you might have to search for a parking spot, only the show is worth the effort. Partygoers banquet on traditional homemade beef stew at the First Congregational Church building's Lumberjack Lunch before touring the stained-drinking glass–adorned sanctuary upstairs. The temporary Sleighbell Chocolate Store sells festively packaged truffles, barks and fudge fabricated past volunteers; sales benefit the Manistee County Child Advancement Center. Thousands of spectators-many dressed to the nines-attend the Victorian Sleighbell Parade on Saturday nighttime (bring a blanket to wrap upward in). (877) 626-4783; visitmanisteecounty.com
Ramsdell Theater This historical venue is home to the Manistee Borough Players. Check the website for the performance schedule. (800) 836-0717; manisteecivicplayers.org
River Street retailers You'll find many to choose from. Browse and enjoy. visitmanistee.com
Where to eat
Goody'southward Juice and Java The drinks and fresh-baked scones impress customers. (231) 398-9580
The Glenwood It's worth the 20-minute drive north to Onekama for a meal at this plow-of-the-century former resort-just exist certain to make reservations. Come hungry for salads topped with from-scratch dressings; steaks, lamb and fresh Lake Michigan fish; and decadent frozen peanut butter pie. (231) 889-3734; glenwoodrestaurant.com
House of Flavors Stop subsequently 11 a.grand. during the winter, and you'll get a gratis scoop of their own brand of water ice cream at this 1950s-theme diner. (231) 887-4600; houseofflavors.com
T.J's Pub Downstairs in the Ramsdell Inn, this cozy pub dishes meals with locally sourced ingredients. Start with the bruschetta or homemade meatballs. (231) 398-9174; ramsdellinn.net/the-pub
Where to stay
Little River Casino Resort If y'all tin get by the smoky smell in the lobby, the resort offers large rooms with lofted ceilings and French doors leading to a courtyard, plus a puddle, a workout room, and on-site gaming and concerts. (888) 568-2244; lrcr.com
Ramsdell Inn For a historical setting in downtown Manistee, snag one of the x guest rooms, which are spacious and richly furnished. Merely be prepared to bear luggage up a flight of stairs-there'south no elevator. (231) 398-7901; ramsdellinn.net
For more information and to plan your trip: Manistee County Visitors Bureau (877) 626-4783; visitmanisteecounty.com
(A version of this story appeared in Midwest Living® Nov/December 2013. Prices, dates and other details are subject to change, so delight check specifics before making travel plans.)
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