Historical beacons draw thousands
Crystal NelsonArticle Photos
The 13th annual lighthouse festival wrapped up Sunday with officials deeming it a success. Festival goers came from all over Michigan, and at least 13 states, and brought in an estimated 3,000-3,500 people.
Festival Coordinator Melanie Kirn said the number wouldn't be finalized until all of the tickets are counted. Volunteer Pam Bartlett has worked the front desk of the festival for the past 12 years and said there was an exceptional turnout this year.
Bartlett said the festival can be very weather dependant.
"When you have good weather, you have good people that travel great distances. Everybody is interested in preserving the Great Lakes lighthouses," she said.
Kirn said the attendance was definitely up and noted that four bus tours came to the festival Saturday; three from Flint and one from Saginaw.
"Our boat tours ran all three days, our helicopter guy never stopped yesterday - morning till dusk - and he had some today as well," she said.
Over the weekend the lighthouses from Tawas to Rogers City were open to the public as well as a variety of museums. Bartlett said there was a shuttle bussing people to the downtown area as well.
Kirn said both dinners Friday and Saturday sold out and there were about 90-100 people at Thursday's welcome dinner, which was put on by the Alpena Chamber of Commerce. Approximately 100 people also attended the Elk's breakfast Saturday.
Bartlett said there were over 70 vendors at the festival. Kirn estimates that 85 percent of the vendors were happy this year and said about half of the vendors have registered to return next year.
Among the vendors was David Bishop with the Ontonagon Historical Society in the Upper Peninsula. Bishop has had a booth at the lighthouse festival for the last five years and said he comes to the festival primarily to create awareness that there is life above the bridge and west of Marquette. He brought a variety of information and brochures for people about the UP and the Keweenaw Peninsula.
"And throughout the years, in the last couple of years, we've had people say when they come up 'well we came up here because we saw you in Alpena' and that's always good to hear," he said. Bishop said he has already registered to come back next year.
Bryan Ackerman with the Freeland Boy Scout Troop 323 attended his first year at the festival this year. The boy scout troop have adopted the Round Island Lighthouse as their long term project and work in conjunction with the National Forest Service. The troop had a booth to sell various items, accept donations and create awareness of the lighthouses. The troop did flag ceremonies over the weekend and have plans to return next year.For more information about the lighthouse festival, or to register for next year's festival, contact Melanie Kirn at 586-566-1603 or via e-mail at mjk361@comcast.net.
Crystal Nelson can be reached via e-mail at cnelson@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5693.
