Leelanau County showcases artists and musicians alike
Sep. 11—Editor’s note: This article was published in Grand Traverse Scene magazine’s Fall 2024 issue. Pick up a free copy at area hotels, visitor’s centers, chambers of commerce or at the Record-Eagle building on Front Street. Click here to read GT Scene in its entirety online.
Leelanau County’s peninsulas and picturesque views surrounded by turquoise waters offers fantastic places to enjoy fall events throughout the area.
The county begins in Greilickville, just west of Traverse City, and stretches west to Empire and up the Leelanau Peninsula to Northport. Much of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore lies within this area.
A favorite festival for locals and tourists alike is Leelanau UnCaged that’s scheduled from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 28 in Northport. Entry is free to this day-long event that celebrates and stimulates the senses with music, food, kid activities and more, according to its website.
Andy Thomas founded the event. He was inspired by composer and philosopher John Cage, who put on a similar event in Minnesota.
This is the 10th year for the extravaganza that is organized by a nonprofit board of directors and volunteers. Trish VanDusen has been on the nonprofit’s board since the beginning. She said they initially started talking about the event in 2011 and hosted their first one in 2013.
They decided to hold the event to Northport each fall to “give merchants an opportunity for sales and to help boost the economy during the off season,” she said.
“It’s a time to kind of let go, to just enjoy,” VanDusen said. “We have activities for kids. It’s usually involving art in a fun way.”
Five music stages are scattered throughout the heart of Northport, offering live music day and night. VanDusen said they have about 25 to 30 acts this year. Last year, many local performers, including Miriam Pico and Chris Steer, graced the stage in addition to the NMC Jazz Band, Interlochen Singer Songwriters and the N’port Community Band, to name a few.
“This year, our focus is on dance,” she said. “We’re bringing dance outside. These dancers are coming from all over.”
Performances will include Mexican folk, ballet and Native American dances.
“Probably our longest running supporter and participant is the Grand Traverse Band (of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians),” VanDusen said. “They do a short water blessing on the bay to open the festival. Then, the jingle dancers procession.”
In addition to local restaurants that will be open for business, attendees can visit food trucks for a variety of treats. And for art lovers, there will be roughly 60 art vendors at Leelanau UnCaged.
VanDusen added that the event is run by about 100 volunteers. Last year, approximately 8,000 people attended throughout the day.
For full event details and a map, visit leelanauuncaged.com.
Up next in the county is the Fall Artisan and Wine Walk that takes place from 5 to 8 p.m., Oct. 18. This event is organized by the Suttons Bay Chamber of Commerce.
This fall marks the 18th year for the event, which is held in the summer too.
“It’s one of the few nights downtown Suttons Bay stays open late,” Suttons Bay Chamber President Amy Peterson said. “Participating stores choose an artist or artisan to feature. Every store decides what to do.”
Local art is paired with local beverages. Peterson said that could be beer, cider, wine or non-alcoholic drinks. Live music, an interactive art project and a pumpkin carver are also showcased.
“It’s a fun night to be out in downtown Suttons Bay,” Peterson said. “It’s lively. It’s the wrap of the fall.”
Participants can go to four participating sites to enter a prize drawing, she added. They can pick up a walking guide and get it stamped at each place they visit. Admission is free, but a $5 donation to the chamber is encouraged.
Leelanau County visitors can find other events to enjoy this fall. Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear is offering several tours: “Secrets of D.H. Day’s Kingdom and Beyond” on Sept. 13, 20 and 27, “Peddling Port Oneida’s Past” on Sept. 17 and 24 and “Biking A Bygone Era” on Sept. 18 and 25. Admission is $25 for adults and $15 for kids. Reserve a spot at phsb.org.
Sleeping Bear Dunes Tours will lead walking tours of Empire at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 17, 19, 24 and 26. Learn about the village’s lumber history. Cost is $15 via MyNorthTickets.com.
The Glen Arbor Arts Center is displaying the exhibition “Shrines + Altars” through Oct. 24. A guided walk through of the show will begin at 1 p.m. Oct. 13. Admission is free.
