The 18th annual M22 Challenge, which takes place on Saturday morning, June 13, has been voted as one of the best endurance events in northern Michigan. The run, bike, paddle event takes place in the heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, making for a beautiful backdrop while racing. The 900-participant race sold out long ago.
The Leland Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the return of the 2026 Leland Wine & Food Festival on Saturday, June 13, from noon to 6 pm at Leland Township Harbor. Drawing more than 1,400 attendees each year, this beloved northern Michigan tradition brings together community, craft, and breathtaking lakeside scenery for one unforgettable afternoon. Live music and dancing, great food, amazing wine, stellar views.
The Glen Lake Fire Department and River Club Glen Arbor plan to hold their first annual community building and fund-raising event, “Drinks, Putts & Fire Trucks,” on Wednesday, June 17, from 4-8 pm at the River Club. The event will celebrate the massive contribution the Glen Lake Fire Department makes to the greater Leelanau County region. The two primary goals are to create closer ties to community members with individual fire department personnel and to raise funds that help the department flourish and stay modern given the vast needs of the community. River Club will donate a portion of their profits for the day to the Glen Lake Fire Department’s general fund along with providing community members a free round of golf on their next visit.
The Glen Lake Community Library in downtown Empire will several community events in the weeks to come. On Saturday, June 13, the Library will participate in the live TED Democracy symposium, featuring brand-new TED Talks focused on the evolution and future of democracy. Streaming live from Philadelphia leading up to the nation’s 250th birthday celebration, this national event brings together bold thinkers and change-makers to share ideas designed to inform and inspire.
The public is invited to tour Leelanau County’s Historic Poor Farm Barn on Saturday, June 13 from 3-5 pm. The nonprofit charged with restoring and repurposing the Poor Farm Barn is hosting an open house to showcase the restoration and re-purposing work recently completed. Leaders of the Leelanau County Historic Preservation Society will be on hand to guide the tours and answer questions about the past, present, and future of this community treasure. Visitors will also be offered home-baked cookies and yard games.
You’re invited to join The Glen Lake Summer Singers. All voices, high school age and up, are welcome. Rehearsals are held at Glen Lake Community Church, located at 4902 McFarlane Rd., Glen Arbor, every Tuesday evening from 7-9 pm beginning June 16, with the annual concert performed on August 11.
Kalamazoo artist Heidi Weiss’s paintings spring from images taken from paused film stills—a number of which will be the basis for a series of new oil paintings that “preserve and disrupt story logic.” Weiss will focus on these “transitional frames” during her Glen Arbor Arts Center residency. Weiss talks about her residency during a public presentation on Thursday, June 11, at 10 am at the GAAC.
Sebastian Smith, the 37-year-old general manager of The Riverside Inn in Leland, suffered a life-changing accident in February while teaching his younger cousin how to snowboard at Boyne Mountain. A lifelong athlete, he has taught others in his chosen sport, kiteboarding, in locations throughout the world. In a moment that changed everything, Smith fell and fractured his neck. Though the shock and uncertainty following the accident has overwhelmed him and his family, through hard work, determination and inner strength Smith has shown his tenacity and strong spirit. A local benefit for Sebastian will be held on Wednesday, June 10, from 5-8 p.m. at the Hop Lot Brewing Company in Suttons Bay. Tickets are $40 and include dinner. The evening will feature a silent auction and performance by The Broom Closet Boys.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will conduct its annual barn restoration workshop from June 8-12, commencing daily at 9 a.m. The workshop will be held at the Lyle and Sarah Schmidt farm, located three miles south of Empire, off M-22 on Norconk Road, with signage provided along M-22 for guidance. The primary focus of the workshop will be the repair of the horse barn at the Schmidt farm. This event offers opportunities for both families and individuals ranging from novice to experienced carpenters, with activities designed to engage all skill levels. There is no participation fee.
The Glen Arbor Arts Center is thrilled to host the Cerus Quartet as Musicians‑in‑Residence from June 8–20, as part of their Manitou Music Series, in partnership with Interlochen Public Radio’s Sound Garden Project. Emerging as one of the most compelling chamber ensembles of their generation, the Cerus Quartet brings the dynamic sound of the saxophone quartet to the Glen Arbor area. Their repertoire spans contemporary works and transcriptions of classical masterworks, combining innovation, versatility, and engaging visual elements to create a distinctive performance experience. During their two‑week residency, the Cerus Quartet will offer immersive musical experiences around the Glen Arbor and Empire area, from public performances to school and library visits, open rehearsals, and “Sound Samples” (spontaneous musical interactions in community spaces).