Giant Carved Pumpkins, Festivals, Mountain Bike Races and Beautiful Fall Color Bring Visitors to Experience Fall in Benzie County, Michigan

FOR: BENZIE COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU

 

SEP 28, 2012 - 12:12 ET

Benzie County, "Most Beautiful Place in America" Along the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

BENZONIA, MI--(Marketwire - September 28, 2012) - The "Most Beautiful Place in America" along the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has more to offer visitors during the fall season. Fall festivals within Benzie County's quaint towns feature giant size carved pumpkins created by master carver Ed Moody, wild gourds carved by "Lord of the Gourd" Pat Harrison, festivals, a parade, children's events and gorgeous scenic fall color. Sporting events include a 1/2 marathon, 5K & 10K running event, as well as, a mountain bike classic. The Frankfort Film Festival captures the attention of film lovers with leading edge independent films from prestigious film festivals from around the world.

Benzie County is known as the gateway to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, which was voted the "Most Beautiful Place in America" by ABC's "Good Morning America" fans. Benzie County is also filled with millions of trees, which makes it one of the most beautiful locations in the United States to enjoy the changing fall color and to view forests of oak, maple, cherry, chestnut, birch, hickory, ash, and beech trees. The tapestry of colors of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and surrounding protected forests change from lush greens to bright orange, yellow, gold, red, burgundy and color in-between on the roads that traverse the county. This includes M-22, which runs along the coast in Benzie County through the Leelanau Peninsula where wineries are plentiful and are an easy day trip from Benzie County resorts, inns, cottages, and cabins.

Originally Benzie County was the hub of the lumbering industry in Northwest Michigan. Now it's known for its natural beauty and recreational opportunities. Lakes and rivers -- such as Crystal Lake, Big Platte Lake, Betsie River and Platte River and 54 other lakes. Hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, fall fishing on Lake Michigan charters or on rivers and lakes of Benzie County add to the fall color activities. Salmon running on the Platte River, the first river in Michigan to be planted with salmon in 1966, draws thousands of fishing enthusiasts and tourists to watch the salmon make their way up the river to spawn.

Fall is also a great season for surfing and paddle boarding along the Lake Michigan Shore for those who are skilled. Scores of surfers can be seen along the Frankfort pier and the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore if the winds are right and the waves are strong.

Fall Activities & Events in Benzie County

First Weekend in October 2012
Fall color in Benzie County
Fall Festival for children and adults
Classic Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show
Soup Contest
Wild Gourd Creations
Petting Zoo
Sidewalk Chalk Art
Antique Market
Haunted History Hay Rides
Point Betsie Lighthouse Tours
Half Marathon, 10K/5K Run at Crystal Mountain
Scenic Chairlift Rides at Crystal Mountain

Second Weekend in October 2012
Fall color in Benzie County
Fall Festival & Parade for children and adults
Pet Parade and Look-alike Contest
Horse Drawn Wagon Rides
Giant Pumpkin Display
Demonstration by Master Pumpkin Carver Ed Moody
900+ lb Pumpkin Drop
Peak 2 Peak Mountain Bike Classic at Crystal Mountain
Scenic Chairlift Rides at Crystal Mountain
The Haunted Forest at Crystal Mountain
Haunted History Hay Rides
Antique Market
Point Betsie Lighthouse Tours

Third Weekend in October 2012
Fall color in Benzie County
The Frankfort Film Festival
Scenic Chairlift Rides at Crystal Mountain
Haunted History Hay Rides
Antique Market
Point Betsie Lighthouse Tours

Fourth Weekend in October 2012
Fall color in Benzie County
Giant pumpkins in Frankfort
The Haunted Forest at Crystal Mountain
Historic Garden Theater in Frankfort

Autumn Benzie County Promotion, "Passport to Fun"
There are numerous choices for lodging, activities, shopping and restaurants in Benzie County at www.visitbenzie.com or by calling 1-800-882-5801.

Visitors who book two or more consecutive nights at one of many participating Benzie County lodging locations through October 31, 2012 can sign up for a special promotion on the website called "Passport to Fun." This promotion includes up to $175.00 worth of free activities, food and gift items from various restaurants and businesses throughout the county. Visitors coming for a fall getaway to Benzie County are invited to view www.visitbenzie.com to sign up online for the "Passport to Fun" promotion. The "Passport to Fun" vacation form must be filled out online in order to qualify for the promotion.

CONTACT:
Sally Littlefair Zarafonetis
Media Consultant
Benzie County Visitors Bureau
(616) 656-5885
Email Contact

Mary Carroll
President
Benzie County Visitors Bureau
(800) 882-5801
Email Contact