Events subject to change! Due to the unpredictable nature of horses, weather, schedules . . .some changes and/or substitutions are inevitable. Please accept our apology in advance for any inconvenience this may cause. We are sure you will find any changes to be just as exciting and informative as those originally planned.
DATE |
LOCATION & TIME |
DESCRIPTION |
| Wednesday, July 20th, 2011 |
| Blessing of Mackinac Islands’ Festival of the Horse |
Grounds of Mission Point 6:45 PM
Free |
 Reverend Dr. Vincent Carroll will conduct the Blessing of Mackinac Islands’ Festival of the Horse on the grounds of Mission Point where members of the Saddle Parade will be congregating. |
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| Saddle Horse Parade – Featuring our own 4-H Horse Club |
Main Street
7:00 PM
Free |
Get your spot ready to enjoy Mackinac Island’s first ever Saddle Horse Parade! The parade will start at the East end of town; pass by Marquette Park, down Main Street and up Cadotte Avenue by the Grand Hotel! Bring your cameras – you don’t want to miss this! Mackinac Island will be showcasing the “King” the beloved horse breeds on this historic Island.
You will enjoy seeing our 4-H children walking with/on their horses, private cottagers showcasing their breed of choice and, of course, Jack's Livery Stable & Cindy’s Riding Stable, who have been providing riding opportunities on Mackinac Island for young and old alike since 1953. See their beautiful assortment of breeds and the expert guides who showcase them! Lastly enjoy watching the “Friesian Force” where the Friesian Breed was crowned the 2009 Festival of the Horse Breed of the Year!
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| Thursday, July 21st, 2011 |
| Consignee Displays |
Borough Lot
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Free |
Visit our "horsey" vendor displays from our consignees!
Designs By Loriece, LTD
Fine Equestrian Jewelry
Bits & Pieces Equine, LTD
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Mackinac Island Tuxedo: showcasing unique , quality equine / Mackinac Island polos. tee shirts, caps, and purses....
Alford's: Equine oriented gifts including: jewelery, art work, toys, games, and much more for young and old alike.
The Jaunting Cart: Featuring horse related antiques and home decor plus individual raspberry white chocolate and turtle cheesecakes
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| Kid’s Day at the Borough Lot – Horsey fun/Learning Day for the whole family! |
Borough Lot
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Free |
- Pin the tail on the horsey: kids will see a picture of a horse with a missing tail. Each child is blinfolded and handed a “tail” with a push pin and spun around until he or she is disoriented. The child gropes around and tries to pin the tail on the horsey. The player who pins their tail closest to the target, the horseys’ rear, wins a door price.
- Horsey arts & crafts booths
- Color parts of a horse drawing:
- Learn saddle parts 101
- Sit on a western and or english saddle and learn to parts of each one
- Horse shoe pitching contest
- Kids will attempt to throw horseshoes so as to encircle a stake or to get them as close to the stake as possible. ( door prices for the winners)
- Stick horse races with door prizes
- Horse pinata
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| Pony Rides |
Borough Lot
12-12:30 PM
&
1:30-2:00 PM
- $5 for two trips around the arena
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Each ride takes your child two trips around the arena. |
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Horses, Hoofbeats & Hors d’oeuvres Party
Fundraiser |
Gatehouse (owned by historic Grand Hotel)
5:00 - 7:30 PM
$40 ($5 of which supports MHA) |
 Be part of our 12th Annual Mackinac Horsemen’s Association party and celebration for the Mackinac Island Festival of the Horse. A social event where equine enthusiasts from on and off island can come together and celebrate “The King." Featuring a live auction, raffles, hors d’oeuvres and pleasant company. There is a charge at the door and a cash bar.
Click to view photos from the 2009 event. |
| Friday, July 22nd, 2011 |
| Consignee Displays |
Borough Lot
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Free |
Visit our "horsy" displays from our consignees! More information under Thursday's event calendar. |
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| Display & Information Booths |
Borough Lot
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
 Mackinac Horsemen's Association
MSU Extension
Michigan Horse Council
To provide individuals and organizations with a central authority that will support, encourage, supplement, and coordinate the efforts of those presently engaged in the constructive conservation, development, and promotion of the horse industry and horse community in the state of Michigan.
Antique Carriage Display |
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| Mackinac Horse Culture Lecture |
Grand Hotel
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
$5/person
Free to Grand Hotel guests who show key |
 Local veterinarian, Dr. Al Sibinic talks about our island horse “industry”. You will certainly be impressed!!! |
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| "Exodus" Music Kur |
Borough Lot
10:00 AM to 10:45 AM |
 A musical kur performed by Maryanke Alexander on her Friesian Regina and Michelle Stuck on her Friesian Gysbert. They will be performing to the music “Exodus” by Makius at 10:00 AM, 10:15 AM & 10:30 AM. Listen to the music that will be the backdrop to this horse and rider "dance" performance, Maksim/Exodus. |
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| Historic Guided Stable Tours |
Grand Hotel Stable
11:00 AM
- $10 per person
- $5 per person 12 & under
- FREE 6 years old & under
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 Your guide will accompany you on a walking tour past the West Bluff cottages for a tour of Victorian era stables. Ask all those Island "horsy" questions and take plenty of photos. |
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| Driving Demos |
Borough Lot
11:00 AM to 11:45 AM |
You will be impressed with the accuracy and talent of local expert coachmen & coach women demonstrating their driving skills and explaining the art of driving horses. Drivers include Don & Lisa Eckhardt from the West Bluff with the West Bluff Friesians and Grand Hotel's Ben Mosley with the Grand Hotel's historical connection /passion with the talented hackneys.
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| Pole Bending & Barrel Racing Demo |
Borough Lot
12 noon to 12:45 PM |
Watch locally talented 4–H members as they impress you with their equine partner racing against the clock in a series of aligned poles, then doing it again with the infamous “blue barrels”, a very popular western and 4-H event across the country! |
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| Historic Guided Stable Tours |
Grand Hotel Stable
1:00 PM
- $10 per person
- $5 per person 12 & under
- FREE 6 years old & under
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Your guide will accompany you on a walking tour past the West Bluff cottages for a tour of Victorian era stables. Ask all those Island "horsy" questions and take plenty of photos. |
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| Cross Country Jumping |
Borough Lot
1:30 PM TO 2:15 PM |
Watch as local hunter jumpers take to cross country jumping thru a series of jumps placed throughout the Borough lot below the Grand Hotel. |
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| Friesian Force |
Borough Lot 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM |
 Will perform a musical kur “Puttin' on the Ritz” by Taco. Enjoy watching 5 members of the Friesian Force at 3:00 p.m., 3:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. don’t miss seeing horse and rider in tuxedos!
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| Carriage Parade |
The parade will start at the east end of town, pass by Marquette Park, down Main Street and up Cadotte Avenue by the Grand Hotel.
7:00 PM
Free |
 Find your spot and get your cameras ready for an old fashioned carriage parade! Watch as local teams of all varieties and single horse carriages showcase the horse drawn carriage culture of Mackinac Island with the different types and purposes carriages and wagons are used for from utility to pleasure. Over 20 types of carriages will be participating! |
| Saturday, July 23rd, 2011 |
| Consignee Displays |
Borough Lot
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Free |
Visit our "horsy" displays from our consignees! More information under Thursday's event calendar. |
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| "Puttin' on the Ritz" Musical Kur |
Borough Lot
10:00 AM to 10:45 AM |
“Friesian Force” will perform a musical kur “Puttin' on the Ritz” by Taco. Enjoy watching 5 members of the Friesian Force at 10 a.m., 10:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Don’t miss seeing horse and rider in tuxedos!
Riders will perform with five Friesian's (one is a friesian/cross) "Puttin' on the Ritz" Friesians and riders will be dressed in tuxedos! Listen to the music. |
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| Mackinac Horse Culture Lecture |
Grand Hotel
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
$5/person
Free to Grand Hotel guests who show key |
 Island equestrian and writer, Candice Dunnigan talks about Mackinac’s rich and historic horse culture. |
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| Historic Guided Stable Tours |
Grand Hotel Stable
11:00 AM
- $10 per person
- $5 per person 12 & under
- FREE 6 years old & under
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Your guide will accompany you on a walking tour past the West Bluff cottages for a tour of Victorian era stables. Ask all those Island "horsy" questions and take plenty of photos. |
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| Equine Massage session with Robin Clinton |
Borough Lot
11:00 AM |
Robin Clinton, an equine massage therapist, will demonstrate sports massage and stretching exercises for your horse. More information on Robin... |
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| Pole Bending & Barrel Racing Demo |
Borough Lot
12 noon to 12:45 PM |
Watch locally talented 4–H members as they impress you with their equine partner racing against the clock in a series of aligned poles, then doing it again with the infamous “blue barrels”, a very popular western and 4-H event across the country! |
|
| Historic Guided Stable Tours |
Grand Hotel Stable
1:00 PM
- $10 per person
- $5 per person 12 & under
- FREE 6 years old & under
|
Your guide will accompany you on a walking tour past the West Bluff cottages for a tour of Victorian era stables. Ask all those Island "horsy" questions and take plenty of photos. |
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| Cross Country Jumping |
Borough Lot
1:30 PM TO 2:15 PM |
Watch as local hunter jumpers take to cross country jumping thru a series of jumps placed throughout the Borough lot below the Grand Hotel. |
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| Breeds of Mackinac Presentation |
Borough Lot 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
- $10 per person
- $5 per person 7 - 12 years old
- FREE 6 years old & under
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 Over 17 different breeds on the Island will be highlighted including Appendix Thoroughbred, Irish Connamera, Norwegian Fjord, Pony Of America, American Quarter Horse, Appaloosa, Haflinger, Percheron, Belgian, Standardbred, Tennessee Walker, Arabian, Friesian, American Paint, Hackney, Plus Breed Crosses!
Learn about the type of horse that was used at Fort Mackinac by officers and soldiers. Enjoy seeing many of these breeds demonstrating their many skills under saddle. You will also have an opportunity to watch the two local cottagers performing a musical kur on Friesians to “Exodus” by Maksim. Our announcer will give a detailed description of each breed as they individually enter the arena. Be certain to vote with dollars in the breed buckets for your favorite breed for the coveted Grand Champion “2010” Favorite Breed of Mackinac Islands Festival of the Horse! Afterwards you’ll have an opportunity to get up close and personal with your favorite breeds.
Listen to the music that will be the backdrop to this horse and rider "dance" performance, Maksim/Exodus. |
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| Fort Mackinac Vintage Ball Game |
Behind Fort Mackinac
6:30 PM
(Please note that this event is a separate event and not covered in the Festivals All event or day pass)
Free to Mackinac Associates members.
Rates and more information... |
 Witness the origin of the American game of baseball, located on the large parade ground behind Fort Mackinac where the Fort Mackinac Never Sweats and the Rochester Grangers face off in an exciting game of vintage baseball.
The rules of vintage base ball are different than modern ball games. This vintage game, which is not a re-enactment but an actual, competitive sporting event, is “base ball” (yes, written in two words) as it was played in the United States during the beginning of its popularity in the 1860s after the Civil War. With these “new” rules, the game becomes unique. There are no gloves allowed here, folks, and no sliding either, but a ball caught on one bounce is an out. Most importantly, vintage base ball returns the game to its original status as a “gentlemanly sport.”
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