Despite the high temperature being only in the mid 40’s and an overcast sky, we braved the elements and visited Greenfield Village on the last day of their halloween spectacular. Pumpkins lined the streets and fields and all were carved (I wonder where they get all the carved pumpkins?). We made sure to ride the train, ride the model T, and ride the carousel since it will be probably a year before we get to ride them again. We enjoyed the tribute to the Birds as they had a bunch of crows outside of the school yard as one of their exhibits. Its very clever how they weave Halloween into all the American history there.
Category: Michigan
Events in Michigan
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Greenfield Village Halloween 2017
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Abbotts 80th Magic Get Together 2017
We have two weeks each year that are just exhausting due to having so much fun. The week of James’ Halloween Party is one of those weeks and the other is Magic Week in Colon Michigan which features the Abbott Magic Get Together (also James has his VIP camp finale this week so it is truly a busy week for us). Magicians everywhere performing on the streets, performing in tents, performing on stage, and performing in shops. We have been coming to these since James was 2 so he loves it and in that time has been called up on stage twice by magicians to help. -
Woodhaven Festival 2017
Woodhaven is right next to Trenton just off I75 and each year they have an awesome summer festival that has to be seen to believed. This year was special for James as he got to see the Side Show folks he had met earlier in the summer performing for real (they will also be performing at the Magic Get Together a month from now). The banner line for the side show is literally gigantic as you can see from some of these pics. The carnival is free to attend, parking is reasonable and close, and a great time was had by all. -
Bronners 2017
Mom had a coupon for Bavarian Inn so on the trip back from Mackinac we ate a late lunch in Frankenmuth and then proceeded to Bronners to round out the day. Mom also had a coupon for 15% off anything we buy at Bronners so we checked everything out and saved a little money along the way. James saw a $4,500 Christmas tree he liked that he liked in the Christmas tree forest, the tree was taller than our home. On the way out we saw the Bronners parade float and snapped a couple pics there as well. It was a really great finale to a wonderful time up North. -
Mackinaw Island 2017
It was a wee bit chilly on the boat ride to and from Mackinaw city, but we survived and then bought Mackinaw sweaters on the island. James and Dad went through the Mirror Maze and completed it, then followed up with a visit to the haunted house where James survived terrifying creatures of the night. Mom loved the shopping and we all met up to go down to the rock beach and attempt to skip stones. Like the city, new stores replace old every year and this year was no different, with the Magic shop next to the haunted house gone. One thing that was really different was seeing a cruise ship docked at Mackinaw City, seems an 11 day cruise of the Great Lakes was taking place which started in Chicago, how fun would that be! -
Mackinaw City 2017
It seems that every year we go to Mackinaw there is something new to see. This year we noticed a couple magic shops were missing but a new haunt had appeared. Unfortunately by the time we got to Mackinaw Crossing the haunts were closed, at least we got to go through the one on the island. After checking out all the souvenir stores at the crossing, James found a laser game he liked and did it a couple times till he made the top ten and got a little cert from the store that he had accomplished this feat. Meanwhile Mom was thrilled that the lilac bushes in the city were blooming and took several pics of them. Toward the evening we went to the park where James jumped back and forth under the bridge between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. -
Behind the Scenes at the Sideshow
James got a chance to go behind the scenes as the Great American Side Show was cleaning their trailers and doing maintenance on their tent and posters in Clawson MI. While talking they brought out the “bed of nails” and showed James how to lie on the bed of nails with no danger to himself. James thought this was great and for a brief moment James did the 2017 version of running off and joining the circus. James also saw the blade box and electric chair. Dad was there as well, doing research for a book about magic illusions and the side shows over the last century. As Spring nears its completion it certainly looks like its going to be a very interesting summer. -
Canterbury Village 2017
Our first visit to Canterbury Village was fun but again we were hurrying to beat the rain. We dropped Mom off at Great Lakes Crossing outlet mall and then James and his Dad head straight to the Halloween stores at Canterbury Village (about ten minutes away from the Outlet mall on Joslyn street). We found plenty of Halloween stuff and more importantly discounted Halloween stuff. This is the time to buy Halloween, not October.James found a weather center that he liked and also a large alarm clock, Dad told James if he graduates OW Best we will come back in June and get him one or the other as a graduation gift. James did end up buying a batter tester so he knows when his batteries are low in his games.
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Cemetery Sax
While placing flowers at our family graves a sax player was playing to some of the graves.
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Bel Air Carnival 2017
James and family went out to the Bel Air Carnival on the Detroit side of 8 mile across from Warren around Van Dyke road. We all went and enjoyed seeing the “Girl to Gorilla” sideshow that they had there, and James got to go on a few of the rides. The day was wet and cold so the attendance was down, but we had a great time anyway.James enjoyed the house of mirrors but probably not as much as his dad, seeing 10 or more James reflected back from the mirrors was kind of fun. The mirror room looked crowded yet he was the only one in there.
