Empire holds Winterfest on Saturday, February 21
Photo by Jack Gyr
From staff reports
As northern Michigan continues to experience a very snowy and cold winter, the Empire Area Community Center (EACC) plans to embrace the elements with the annual Empire Winterfest. Events will be hosted throughout the village of Empire on Saturday, Feb. 21, including the long-standing tradition of a polar plunge in South Bar Lake.
Festivities will begin at 9 am with yoga at the Township Hall. From 11 am-3 pm the Friends of the Library will host a book sale at the Glen Lake Community Library. At 1 pm, brave souls (and encouraging spectators) are invited to South Bar Lake near the north end of the parking lot for the famous polar plunge in the frozen lake. Northern Heat Sauna and Sleeping Bear Sauna will have saunas available at the beach for public use from 12:30-3 pm.
From 2-5 pm, Grocer’s Daughter and Tiffany’s Cafe will host activities at their shops. Tiffany’s Cafe will be open for coffee and indoor winter fun, and Grocer’s Daughter will have s’mores, fires, and winter fun in their garden, and drink specials indoors.
Both the National Park Service and Leelanau Conservancy are joining the activities this year. A viewing of “Island Life: The Story of North Manitou Island” will be screened indoors at the National Park Visitor’s Center at 11 am. At 2:30 pm, join docents from the Leelanau Conservancy for a snowshoe hike through their Chippewa Run property. Parking will be available on Fisher Street, near the recycling drop-off.
In the evening, there will be a soup potluck at the Empire Township Hall from 5-7 pm. Music will be provided by Charlie Arnett. Arnett is a singer/songwriter based in Traverse City, and his repertoire is a mix of originals and feel-good covers. Potluck attendees are invited to bring a salad, soup, or dessert to share.
We look forward to joining together as a community on Saturday, February 21, to enjoy a day of winter fun in Empire!
All Winterfest activities are free to attend, and the event is sponsored by the Empire Area Community Center (EACC). Events are weather-permitting; view the online schedule for weather-related updates. A freewill offering will be taken during the potluck to support EACC’s general fund, which is invested back into the community through events like this one.
