What's your thing?

There's only been one draw-back to our new What's your thing? campaign: everyone has had "Do Your Thing" by Basement Jaxx stuck in our heads.



This weekend is the perfect time to head out and take your photo for the What's your thing? contest. Gather your friends, get creative, and do your thing! (do do dododo...) I can't wait to see what you come up with.

High five,

-Shannon

Savin' Lives

I'm going to tell you a secret about WMTA Executive Director Rick Hert. Are you ready? Move in a little closer... He's a blood-giving rock star. No really, our ever-modest leader has donated blood 199 times. Yes, that would be nearly 25 gallons. If that's not impressive, I'm at a loss for what is.

Post-poke: Kelly, Me & Rick

Last month, Rick inspired Kelly and me to give as well during a Michigan Blood Drive sponsored by our friends over at Pure Michigan. While squeezing away and filling our pints, we got to talking about what an exciting event it will be when Rick makes his 200th donation. Then we had a brilliant idea.

Another little WMTA secret: Kelly and I think we have brilliant ideas just about every day. This time, dare I say, we struck gold. For WMTA's 95th Anniversary, let's get 95 donors. A few phone calls to our West Michigan pals, and the idea became an event.

Ladies and gentlemen, please open your hearts and your veins with WMTA for our first ever blood drive! If you are in the Grand Rapids area on October 17, head over to the JW Marriott between 10 am - 6 pm to help us reach our goal. We'll be hanging out in Ballroom C. Even better, you don't have to worry about parking downtown since donors can park for free at the JW's parking garage.

If you're one of the first 95 donors to register, you'll receive a Grand Rapids Culture Pass and a half-pint of chocolate milk from Country Dairy. If you read this blog regularly, you know that for Kelly and me, this is like a dream prize pack. I just about fall over myself for all things art (have you seen the line up for the Grand Rapids Ballet Company this year? Amazing!) while Kelly could very well be Country Dairy's number one fan. I think between the two of us, we've been to Moo School six times (and we're going again later this month!).

Yes, we're all a-buzz here at the WMTA HQ. Between blood drives and What's your thing?, there's certainly much to be excited for. Mark your calendars, and we'll see you next month!

High five,

-Shannon

Introducing “What’s Your Thing?”

The West Michigan Tourist Association launched a brand new campaign today titled “What’s Your Thing?” Travelers have discovered that they can do just about anything in West Michigan, but how do you decide exactly what it is you want to do?

WMTA took these questions into consideration and have an answer; the new WMTA.org.

With the new “What’s Your Thing?” campaign, WMTA allows travelers to search by experience to tailor a one of a kind trip to their needs. WMTA.org now allows travelers to tailor a one-of-a-kind experience to their exact specifications.

With a new campaign comes a new giveaway!

The driving force behind the new campaign is a YouTube video titled “What’s Your Thing?” The video showcases travelers from all over the mid-west taking part in their favorite West Michigan activities. The end of the video asks viewers to send the WMTA pictures or videos of themselves doing their favorite thing in West Michigan. Participants can send in their photos/videos through wmta.org or on the WMTA Facebook and twitter pages. All participants will be entered to win one of five grand prize giveaways. Winners will be drawn on August 31, 2012. Prizes include:

Prize 1: Overnight stay at the Holiday Inn Express in Mackinaw City and 2 adult boat tickets for the Beaver Island Boat Company. *

Prize 2: Two night stay at the Cherry Tree Inn and Suites in Traverse City, private wine tasting tour at Brys Estate in Traverse City, and one season pass to Crystal Mountain.

Prize 3: Overnight stay at Parkview Cottages in Ludington, overnight stay at Open Acres Lodge in Cadillac and a copy of the photo book Ludington State Park: Queen of the North by Todd and Brad Reed Photography.

Prize 4: Overnight spa escape package stay at the J.W. Marriott Grand Rapids, four  passes to the Grand Rapids Children Museum, two family four packs for the John Ball Park Zoo, and four corn maze and jumping pillow passes to Robinettes.

Prize 5: Overnight stay at Lake Bluff Inn and Suites in South Haven, a couples weekend stay at Oak Cove Resort in Lawrence, four frightful nightful passes to Niles Haunted house, and a family four pack to the Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners.

So get on out there, do your thing, take some photos, and send them our way! We can’t wait to see what your favorite thing to do in West Michigan is!

Check back periodically as we upload travelers photos to our blog, Facebook, and twitter pages- you may just see yourself!

Castle Farms hosts a very special couple!

Feeling patriotic after all of the holiday festivities this month? You're in luck! Today we have a guest blogger with a red, white and blue treat for you. Peggy Kusina from the beautiful Castle Farms in Charlevoix tell us the story about a very famous (miniature) couple that paid a visit to the property.

Garden Railway

"President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama miniature look-alikes paid a surprise visit to Castle Farms! Tipped off about the Castle’s magnificent Garden Railroad by Ray LaHood, U. S. Transportation Chief, the Obamas insisted on rearranging their schedule to include a visit to historic Castle Farms. Miniature President Obama and First Lady Michelle toured the Garden Railroad on one of the 36 G-scale trains operating on more than 1,600 feet of track. President Obama reported being most impressed by the miniature Round Lake, beneath the shade of Charlevoix’s historic railroad bridge. Mrs. Obama enjoyed the elaborate floral displays and cascading water fall. Having recently visited Buckingham Palace as guests of Queen Elizabeth II, the miniature Obamas pronounced Castle Farms Garden Railroad more majestic and magnificent than anything the British crown’s estate has to offer. A brief stop along part of the 1,600 feet of track allowed the mini President Obama to address his fellow constituents about the lovely gardens and regal towers of the Castle Railroad. He pronounced the expert engineering of the Garden Railroad’s tunnels and bridges a stunning tribute to the spirit of American “can-do”. One of Michigan’s top tour attractions, Castle Farms hosts self-guided tours of the Castle buildings, museums, grounds, gardens, plus the Castle Garden Railroad. Castle Gates open at 10 am, seven days a week, for a nominal fee.

Miniature Obama's

Model Train Enthusiasts are encouraged to visit Castle Farms for a viewing of the miniature President Obama and First Lady. Castle Farms Garden Railroad Club welcomes new members, and anyone interested in joining is encouraged to contact us."

Volunteers are needed to help build, maintain, and operate outdoor trains. For more information on how to join, or about the Castle Farms Model Garden Railroad Club, please contact Peggy at Castle Farms, (231) 237-0884, ext. 224, or drop her a line by email at peggy@castlefarms.com

West Michigan for Kids- Binder Park Zoo

Feeding the giraffe

Shannon and I had the treat of visiting Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek last week. I am a fan of zoos and animals in general, so you can imagine my excitement leading up to this glorious day.

Binder Park Zoo sits on 433 acres of wildlife preserve and is not your typical zoo. One of the main attractions is the Wild Africa exhibit which houses animals you would typically see on an African Safari. In order to get to the exhibit, visitors must take a five-minute tram ride through the lush woods of the zoo.  Once there, you step off the tram and are immersed in African culture in an African-esque village. As you stroll through the village you will find clipboards lying around that look like people have been taking notes, but these really have facts written on them that are easy for kids to read and learn little facts and tid-bits about the animals. If you keep following the trail you will stumble upon the Twiga Overlook, which just happened to be my favorite part! Here, you look out into a beautiful open field filled with zebras, ostriches, and giraffes. The best part? You can feed the giraffes! This was the first encounter I have ever had with a giraffe, and let me tell you it was memorable. I held my piece of lettuce out for one of the giraffes to eat and without hesitation, the largest one stuck his long grey tongue out, wrapped itself around the stalk and took it right back in. The whole act of being able to feed a giraffe is addicting and I could have been entertained by it for hours; unfortunately we were on quite a schedule so we had to make our way onward.

We followed the path through the rest of the exhibit where we saw all different kinds of birds, monkeys, goats, chickens, and bulls all nestled throughout the one mile, wooded engulfed, elevated boardwalk.

We took the tram back down to the main area where we proceeded to see peacocks roaming freely, cheetahs, kangaroos, and prairie dogs (one of my other favorites).

Educational programming

Not only are the animal exhibits fascinating, but some of the greatest parts about the Binder Park Zoo are the educational programs they offer. These programs allow children to explore of the wonders of wildlife and conservation through interactive age appropriate programming. Dedicated to creating experiences that foster a sense of wonder, share knowledge, and advocate active involvement with wildlife and wild places, these programs are available for groups and individuals ages 18 months and up.

The zoo is a seasonal attraction and is open until October 2, 2011. However, the zoo does host a variety of off-season events including the Great Zoo Boo in October!

On July 4 the zoo is hosting another great event for kids called Animal Play Days: Watermelon Madness.  Could you fit a whole watermelon in your belly? Some animals in the zoo can! Who will be the fastest? Enjoy seeing the juice run down the chins of your favorite animals as they chomp on watermelons in the summer sun.

Make sure to add Binder Park Zoo to your “must see in West Michigan” list. It is fun for kids of all ages!

Binder Park Zoo

7400 Division Drive

Battle Creek, MI 49014

269.979.1351

WMTA Goes to Gun Lake!

Last week, Shannon and Kelly had the pleasure of visiting the Gun Lake area in West Michigan. This beautiful stretch of West Michigan splendor is smack dab between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. They had so much fun in fact, that they chronicled their experience into a video to share with everyone. Here is the final product- enjoy!

Weekend Round-up

 With the start of festival season music and the smell of elephant ears will be filling the air of Michigan's West Coast. Be sure to grab you father, give him a hug and a high five, take him to hear some great music, and give your dear ol' dad something he will really enjoy; time with you. Happy Fathers day Dad!

Happy trails

-Intern Katie

All Month

Muskegon: Muskegon County Convention & Visitor Bureau: Parties In The Park

This Weekend

Kalamazoo: Michigan Festivals & Events: Island Fest

Traverse City: Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau: Grand Traverse Balloon Classic

Muskegon: Muskegon County Convention & Visitor Bureau: Miss Michigan Pageant

Friday

 

Benzie: Benzie Are Visitors Bureau: Lore: a multimedia performance and exhibition

Muskegon: Muskegon County Convention & Visitor Bureau: LST Movies On Deck

Friday and Saturday

Marshall: Cornwell’s Turkeyville: Married Alive!

Saturday

Rothbury: Double JJ Resort: Summer Rodeo

Grand Rapids: Founders Brewing Company: 4th Annual Founders Fest

Grand Rapids: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpure Park: G. Love & Special Sauce

Mackinaw City: Greater Mackinaw Area Chamber of Commerce: Creole Du Nord

Sunday

St. Joseph: Lemon Creek Winery & Fruit Farms: 27th Annual Fathers Day Festival & Corvette Car Show

Rothbury: Double JJ Resort: Free Golf for Dad

Don’t Forget

Saugatuck: Saugatuck Center for the Arts: PIE: A Slice of Pure Michigan

Through June 20

Grand Rapids Art Museum: Birds of America: Audubon Prints from Shelburne Museum

Through August 14

Grand Rapids Public Museum: Bodies Revealed

Through June 19

Muskegon Museum of Art: Horsepower: Images of Horses

Through June 26

Muskegon Museum of Art: Flippers and Flash: The Art of Pinball

Through July 31

For the Kids! Lakeshore Museum Center

The school year is coming to an end and pretty soon the kids will be burning your ears with the dreaded words “I’m bored”. They have only been out of school for two days and yet, for some reason have already run out of things to do.

We are here to help.

West Michigan has endless opportunities for children and their families. Museums, amusement parks, water parks, zoos, ferries and theatres are just naming a few. Check back frequently as we highlight places that are great for kids! If you are on twitter, follow our feed #wmkids where we will continually be putting up great ideas for kids.

This week we are going to start with the Lakeshore Museum Center in Muskegon. Shannon and I were lucky enough to have been able to visit the museum this past November. The museum looks small from the outside, but we were blown away by how much was in the museum! The greatest part about the Lakeshore Museum Center is that it is absolutely FREE! There is no admission fee for anyone- how cool is that?

The museum has continuing exhibits as well as changing exhibits. There are six continuing exhibits

Coming to the Lakes- Follow a group of people from different ethnic backgrounds through a 10,000-year journey. Learn how people have lived in different parts of our region and the influences that have affected their lives. There is even a full size Mastodon replica!

Michigan: From the Depths of Time- This is a fantastic room that gives the impression of being underwater. The exhibit travels through the depths of time to see the plants and animals that lived in the habitats of Michigan’s distant past. 

             Body Works- This exhibit shows people of all ages how the human body

works. This exhibit promotes healthy eating and living by explaining through different hands-on activities how the way we live and the different foods we eat affect our bodies.

Habitats and Food Webs- This exhibit discovers the relationships between plants and animals that live in Muskegon County and the food webs they create. Explore wetlands, urban backyards, grasslands, and dune habitats to find out what plants and animals consume to survive.

Hackley and Hume Site

Science Center- Learn about simple science through hands-on activities! Ride a bike to produce electricity, learn how a pulley system works, and so much more.

The museum also has three historic sites that are open May- October and are within walking distance of the main building.

The Hackley and Hume site preserves the homes of Muskegon's most famous lumber baron, Charles H. Hackley, and his business partner, Thomas Hume. The Site envelops the visitor in a unique living space, bringing late 19th century craftsmanship to life. Also going on right now At the Hackley & Hume Historic Site, the museum is featuring an exhibit in the City Barn – “Unsolved Mysteries: The Shipwreck Thomas Hume”.  The exhibit explores the loss of the Lumber Baron’s schooner in Lake Michigan 120 years ago.  Divers located the wreck in 2006. Surprising discoveries such as intact clothing, shoes, coins, jewelry, and other historic treasures have provided new insights into the shipment of lumber on Lake Michigan and how the crew lived, worked, and died on the Lake. 

Fire Barn and Scolnik House

The Scolnik House is a historic house of the depression era that tells the story of two common families living under the same roof during the Great Depression.

The Fire Barn Museum serves as a living memorial to the brave men and women who have served as Muskegon County firefighters. The second floor was restored over the winter and now features a replica of a living quarters area for the firemen.  The museum features historic firefighting equipment and photographs of some of Muskegon’s worst fires.  

The Hackley and Hume houses cost $3 to visit (children 12 and under are free). The Scolnik House and Fire Barn have free admission.

The museum is open Monday thru Friday - 9:30am to 4:30pm and
Saturday and Sunday - 12:00 to 4:00pm.

Celebrations!

This weekend calls for celebration! Well, in my opinion, every weekend is a cause for celebration because after all, it is the weekend! Nonetheless, we are celebrating here at the WMTA headquarters today because it is Shannon’s (our lovely Communications Director) birthday!

However, we are not the only ones celebrating a birthday this weekend. Robinette’s Apple Haus and Winery is celebrating their 100^th anniversary by hosting a car show and ice cream social! Congratulations, Robinette’s on 100 years!

There are other celebrations going on all throughout West Michigan this entire weekend and as always, we have put them all together for you in one easy to read link round-up.

Check out all the events out below, and as always, if you would like more information you can always visit www.wmta.org.

Enjoy your weekend!

Kelly

All Weekend

• Grand Rapids: Frederick Meijer Gardens: Playful Baby Goats
• Muskegon: Fairgrounds: Antique Tractor and Engine Show

Saturday

• Grand Rapids: Robinette’s Apple Haus and Winery: Centennial Car Show and Ice Cream Social
• Stanwood: River Ridge RV Resort: Nature Day
• Muskegon: Muskegon Museum of Art: 99^th Anniversary Gala
• Pentwater: Pentwater: Community Wide Garage Sales
• Pentwater: Pentwater: Outdoor Safety Day
• Big Rapids: Hemlock Park:bigrapids.org Catch-A-Fish Grant-A-Wish Fishing Tournament

Sunday

• New Era: Lewis Farm Market: CPR Red Cross Certification Class

Don’t Forget

• Grand Rapids Public Museum: Bodies Revealed | Through June 19
• Muskegon Museum of Art: Flippers and Flash: The Art of Pinball | Through July 31
• Grand Rapids: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Laura Ford: Actual, Factual Fables| Through August 21
• Muskegon: Festivals in the Park (Friday’s) | Through August 26
• Muskegon: LST Movies on Deck (Friday’s) | Through August 26
• Muskegon Museum of Art: Horse Power | Through August 28
• Double JJ Resort: Summer Rodeo | Through September 3
• Lowell: Outdoor Farmer’s Market | Through September 29
• Lewis Farm Market: Petting Farm | Through October 31

Weekend Round-Up

The weather is getting hotter and so are the summer festivals and concerts. Don’t let the heat or the price at the gas pump catch you off guard as there are a lot of great one-tank trip ideas here in West Michigan. So if you want to enjoy a concert or let your pooch cool off at one of the many dog beaches, this weekend will be a fun filled kick-off to a great summer.

All Month

• Muskegon: LST Movies on Deck
  
  

Starting This Weekend

•  Grand Rapids: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Laura Ford: Actual, Factual Fables

Friday

• Grand Rapids: West Michigan Whitecaps
• Mears:Van Du Lakes Resort: FREE-Kie Friday Concert Series
• Fennville: Khnemu Studio: “Atmospheric Composition” by Steven Hill

Friday & Saturday

• Kalamazoo: Greek Festival
• Berry County: Michigan Audubon: Cerulean Warbler Weekend

 Saturday

• Lansing: Chili Cook-Off
• Thompsonville:Crystal Mountain: Birding with Keith
• Grand Rapids: Founders Brewing Company: An Evening with Seth Bernard and May Erlewine

Sunday  

• Hickory Corners: Gilmore Car Museum:  Grand Experience Concourse
• Kalamazoo: Binder Park Zoo: Breakfast for the Animals

Don’t Forget

• Rothbury: Double JJ Ranch: Summer Rodeo
• Grand Rapids: Gerald R. Ford Museum: The American Soldier- A Photographic Tribute to Soldiers and Marines from the Civil war to Iraq
• South Haven: South Haven Center for the Arts: Members Show
• Marshal: Cornwell's Turkeyville: Married Alive
• Grand Rapids: Grand Rapids Public Museum: Bodies Revealed
• Saugatuck: Saugatuck Center for the Arts: PIE: A Slice of Pure Michigan
• Muskegon: Muskegon Museum of Art: Horse Power: Images of Horses from the Permanent Collection
• Muskegon: Muskegon Museum of Art: Flippers and Flash: The Are of Pinball

• Grand Rapids: Grand Rapids Art Museum: Birds of America: Audubon Prints from Shelburne Museum