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West Michigan – Labor Day is often seen as the signal that summer is coming to an end. Use this long weekend to plan a “last fling” getaway before the busyness of fall starts. From camping and fireworks displays to wine tasting and bridge walks, West Michigan has your answer for saying goodbye to summer.

Cherry Tree Condo Hotel, Traverse City800-439-3093, http://www.cherrytreecondohotel.com/

The Cherry Tree Condo Hotel in Traverse City encourages you to extend your summer - don’t let it end quite yet! If you’re looking to getaway on Labor Day Weekend, the Cherry Tree is the place to be. The waters are still warm, the sun’s beams still bright, and the activities still endless! On Sunday, September 7th, the Cherry Tree’s fall rates begin. Stay in one of our suites with a balcony overlooking beautiful Grand Traverse Bay for as little as $89* for a standard suite. We’d love to have you stay with us and enjoy our hospitality!

Cartier Mansion, Ludington231-843-0101, http://www.cartiermansion.com/

Don't think of this as the end of summer, but rather the beginning season of the most amazing sunsets you will ever see. There is still plenty of time to shop, eat, and stroll along the beach. Come experience Cartier Mansion and enjoy the view. Spend 3 or more nights and receive 25% off of regular room rates. (Includes breakfast)

Pickerel Lakeside Campground & Cottages, Baldwin Area 800-464-1468, http://www.lakecamp-cottages.com/
Enjoy your vacation at this perfect location for a peaceful, relaxing outing. Pickerel Lake is located 9 miles south of Baldwin. It is approximately 100 acres in size and allows water-skiing, but is better known for its great fishing and quiet usage. There are four "just like home", squeaky clean, fully modern lakefront cottages and 46 site lakefront family campground. This is the place to unwind and get in touch with nature.

August 29- 31- Chain O' Lakes Music Festival Chain O' Lakes Campground, Bellaire 231-533-8432, http://www.chainolakescamp.com/

Spend Labor Day weekend at the campground and listen to some great music! With Seth Bernard & Daisy May of Earthwork Music and the Ragbirds!

September 1 - White Lake Area Labor Day Community Walk
White Lake Area, http://www.whitelake.org/

Put on your walking shoes and head to the White Lake Area. At 10:00 a.m., join locals and visitors in their walk from the Montague Bike Trail pavilion, across the White River Bridge into Whitehall, ending at the bridge over Lake Street. For the truly adventurous, walkers are welcome to continue along the Bike Trail to the White Lake Community Library.

August 29 - September 1 - Shoreline Spectacular
Pere Marquette Park, Muskegon231-740-8454, http://www.visitmuskegon.org/

Join Muskegon in celebrating Labor Day weekend for the annual Shoreline Spectacular. Activities include arts & crafts fair, Labor Day parade, Laura the elephant rides, carnival games, kids art workshops, American's Best Frisbee Dogs, and live bands every night.


August 28 – September 1Big Rapids Riverdays Festival, Big Rapids, 888-229-4FUN, http://www.bigrapids.org/

The Riverdays Festival is a family festival that starts the Thursday before Labor Day and runs through Labor Day. During these five days, various events and activities are planned for both young and old. Activities during the five days include everything from arts and crafts, antique cars, music, STAGE M production, and 5-K run, separate events for children and seniors, and food vendors. The festival centers on Hemlock Park, the Muskegon River and beautiful Riverwalk.

August 30 - Auto Value Super Sprints
Berlin Raceway, Marne616-677-5000, http://www.berlinraceway.com/Auto Value Super Sprints: AVSS (30 Laps), Engine Pro Super Stock (30 Laps), De-Jay Slick Truck Pro Stock (25 Lap), Instant Cash Advance Sportsman (20 Laps); AVSS on-track autograph session; $1 Beer and $1 Hot Dogs.Gates open at 12:15 p.m. and the first race gets under way at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, half price for kids 6 to 12 and free for 5 and under. Pit passes for those 14 and over are $25.

August 28 - September 1 - 34th Annual Kircher Cup
Boyne Highlands, Harbor Springs800-GO-BOYNE, http://www.boyne.com/

Two person amateur teams from around the Midwest compete in this 54 hole better ball competition held on multiple courses at Boyne Highlands Resort. The Kircher Cup is named after the founding family of Boyne USA Resorts and the names engraved on the cup are a venerable “who’s who” of Michigan amateur golf. Divisions include Championship, Mid-Senior and Senior.

August 29 – September 1 - Newaygo Logging Days231-652-3068, http://www.newaygonaturally.com/

The Logging Fest takes place over Labor Day Weekend. Newaygo was built around the logging industry, and we are celebrating our logging heritage. Highlights of the Logging Fest include the Chainsaw Sculpture Competition and Auction, Lumberjack's Competition and Fireman's Water Battle. The Arts & Crafts Show in Brooks Park is host to exhibitors from all over the country displaying their arts and crafts. The local merchants have sidewalk sales. The event also includes kids activities and games, and on Sunday a parade route goes through downtown Newaygo. You can also find a BINGO tent and Chicken BBQ in the park over the weekend.

August 30 - Concert on the Green
The Inn at Bay Harbor-A Renaissance Golf Resort, Bay Harbor231 439-4003, http://www.innatbayharbor.com/

Big Band music is back at The Inn at Bay Harbor. Concert on the Green will feature the "UP NORTH BIG BAND" This group of 18 talented musicians from across Northern Michigan come together to preserve the musical heritage of the Big Band Era. With over 300 sounds in their playbook from swing, Latin, waltzes, foxtrots from the 30's, 40's & 50's you are sure to be delighted. Concerts are free and open to the public. Blankets provided for seating. Event is subject to change.

August 30 – 31 - Royal Craft ShowCastle Farms, Charlevoix231-237-0884, http://www.castlefarms.com/

Castle Farms is proud to host the annual Royal Craft Show in beautiful Charlevoix, Michigan on Labor Day Weekend. The grounds and buildings of Castle Farms will be the host to one of Michigan's most prestigious craft shows where thousands of visitors will attend this event. This craft show will feature only the finest arts and crafts that can be found and will be held in one of the most affluent areas in the state. Free parking with a $2.00 per person admission fee. Children under 12 are admitted free. Food is available at a nominal charge. Pets are not allowed.

September 1 - Labor Day Bridge Walk
Mackinaw City800-666-0160, http://www.mackinawcity.com/

Walk the Mighty Mac at this annual Labor Day Event!

The Wine Days of Summer
From spectacular scenery to specialty and reserve wines ... from warm, personal service to a leisurely vineyard tour, there are dozens of reasons to add a West Michigan wine tasting tour to your Labor Day plans. Whether you’re a first-timer or a veteran, these tips will help to enhance your next visit to a winery tasting room and make it easy to enjoy some of the best Michigan has to offer.

Try new wines. This is a chance to learn!

Try lighter and drier before richer and sweeter. Wineries often have tasting notes with suggestions for progressing through a tasting of their wines.

Swirl the glass and sniff, then sip. You can learn a lot by smelling the wine. Ask questions! Tasting room staff can help you recognize different aromas.

Think food! Tasting room staff will suggest foods that complement their wines.

Take home a wine tasting! Purchase a variety of wines at the wineries you visit and invite some friends over to share your Michigan wine experience!

Take a day trip or spend the weekend, but get out to Michigan’s wine country, try out your tasting skills and, most of all, have fun with it! For a complimentary Michigan Wine Country magazine, with detailed information about Michigan’s 56 wineries, contact the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council at 517-241-1207 or online at http://www.michiganwines.com/. For more information on traveling in West Michigan visit our website at http://www.wmta.org/ or call 800-442-2084 to order our new 2008-09 West Michigan Carefree Travel Guide – your guide to all the places to stay and things to do in West Michigan.

Founded in 1917, WMTA is the oldest continually operated regional tourist association in the nation. Representing 41 counties from the Michigan-Indiana state line to Mackinac Island and covering the entire west half of the Lower Peninsula, WMTA is dedicated to proving that “We Know West Michigan!”

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EDITORS NOTE: Please note that I will be out of the office for my wedding & honeymoon until August 12, 2008. All picture requests and media interviews should be directed to Megan Streng, megan@wmta.org during my absence. Thank-you!