Michigan's Sweetest Festival Is a Delicious Way To Wrap Up Summer

Whether it's bourbon, jazz, or old tractors and beyond, Michigan has a festival to celebrate it. But the sweetest festival of them all is yet to come this summer.

The Mackinac Island Fudge Festival is set for August 23 through 25, celebrating Michigan's favorite sweet treat.

The Fudge Capital of the World Celebrates Its Famous Sweet Treat

Mackinac Island is the 'Fudge Capital of the World' and celebrates the festival this year by offering fudge-related family fun. The festival goes beyond fudge making demonstrations, which are offered each day from 10 AM to 7 PM. Many of the island's restaurants are serving up fudge-inspired food and cocktails and there's an outdoor movie and family games planned.

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Take your family on a Fudge Quest. Grab a map, decipher the clues, and find treasures all over the island. Fudge Quest starts Friday morning and new clues will be released on Saturday and Sunday.

The complete schedule of events for Mackinac Island's Fudge Festival is here.

How Did Mackinac Island Become the Fudge Capital of the World?

Fudge shops on Mackinac Island create about 10 thousand pounds (that's five tons!) of fudge each day during the island's peak tourist season.

It all started in the late 1800s. At the time, Mackinac Island was a hub for fur trading, soon evolving into a summer tourist destination. The island's bureau on tourism quotes Phil Porter, author of 'Fudge: Mackinac's Sweet Souvenir.'

The Murdick family moved to the island in the 1880s and opened the island's first candy store. The store gave tourists an opportunity to see the sweet treats being made. As fudge making evolved in the 1900s, Rome Murdick and his son Gould used kitchen fans to blow the aroma of fudge into the street, luring passersby into the shop.

Porter notes that Gould Murdick discovered that pouring vanilla into the concoction didn't change the fudge's flavor, but gave it a sweet aroma that made it irresistible to tourists.

Historic Mackinac Island Estate Can Be Your Own Private Grand Hotel For $5M

It's not the Grand Hotel, but it sure looks like a miniature version, porch and all. Cairngorm Cottage, built in 1888, is a 9600+ square-foot Mackinac Island West Bluff Victorian-era home currently on the market for $4,750,000. It features beautifully renovated and decorated rooms that come completely furnished with the selling price. The estate features 9 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, plus a completely furnished 2 bedroom, 2 bath carriage house behind the home. In addition to the magnificent porch with a breathtaking view, the new owner will enjoy a beautifully landscaped backyard with a swimming pool, hot tub, gazebo, and stone-terraced gardens. This piece of Michigan history is a must-see. Take a look! Contact Patrick Leavy of Kidd & Leavy Real Estate for more information.

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As much as this 9300 square foot, 5 bedroom home has all those extras that make it worthy of a multi-million dollar price tag, a few perks set it apart. The lower level living area is an entertaining haven. There you will find a theater room, an entertaining area, and an extra bedroom, but as they say...wait there's more. The lower level features an incredible wine cave and bar like nothing you've seen before.

Not to be outdone, the 180-acre property is just as spectacular with 2000 feet of pristine shoreline on its own mini peninsula right where the Cheboygan River splits into the Black River.

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