At left: The week-long 2005 Mackinac Island Lilac Festival started Friday, June 10, with the coronation of Lilac Queen Blisse Beardsley in Marquette Park. Pictured are (in back, from left) Miss Michigan Teen Catherine Laurion of West Branch, and the 2005 Lilac Queen and Court members Emily St. Onge, Kristi Kamphuis, Lilac Queen Blisse Beardsley, former Lilac Queen Jennifer Wightman, Christina McLean, Karlena Mosley, and (in front) Lilac Princess Shelbie Mosley.

Lilacs are in bloom on Mackinac Island in time for the 56th Annual Lilac Festival, which began Friday, June 10, and culminates with a Grand Parade Sunday, June 19, at 4 p.m.

The Parade will follow the theme of “The Lilac Fairy,” based on a collection of stories by Victorian author Andrew Lange. The parade will feature horse-drawn floats, carriages, bicycles, military units, bands, and the returning Scottville Clown Band. The parade will follow the downtown route from Mission Point to Windermere Point.

Prior to the Grand Parade will be a band overture at Marquette Park from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The free concert will feature school bands, fife and drum corps, and Celtic pipes.

A concert at Windermere Point will follow the parade at 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 15, provides a day of tours, including the tour of the Governor’s Summer Residence, a tour of Grand Hotel’s gardens, a tour of the historic downtown buildings, and a tour of the 4-H barn at Mission Stables.

The Mackinac Island Community Foundation will host a Feast of Epona and silent auction of many horse-related items at Seabiscuit & Grog Cafe Wednesday. In the evening, a new event, The Art of Entertaining, will offer lessons in cake decorating and flower arranging with Le Cordon Bleu pastry chef Kim Sperl of Bella e Dolce and Jay Porcaro of Weber’s Floral & Gift.

Thursday, June 16, is Taste of Mackinac at Harbour View Inn. Featuring local chefs, Taste of Mackinac allows guests to enjoy food from the Island’s restaurants. In previous years, the event operated as a contest, with chefs vying to win votes from guests, but this year it will merely be an opportunity to sample some of the Island’s finest cuisine.

Lilac discussions will be taking place throughout the week at different bed and breakfasts. Speakers from the International Lilac Society will give presentations about the care of lilacs. Wine-Tasting events will also be taking place at different restaurants throughout the week, as will bicycle tours.

Saturday, June 18, will be Kids’ Day at Fort Mackinac. Included with fort admission will be costumed interpreters, both soldiers and Victorian ladies, and 19th century games for children.

Another family event Saturday will be the first ever Epona & Barkus Parade. The parade will be put on by the new Mackinac Island Dog & Pony Club and will feature Island dogs as well as greyhounds, K-9 police dogs, and Haflinger ponies. The parade will end at Windermere Point, and will be immediately followed by another new event, the Dog and Pony Show. The show will include costume contests, presentations by dog legends such as Mike Morgan of Midland Michigan Kennels, and activities such as “Smooch the Pooch.” There will be a pre-parade celebration at French Outpost and The Jockey Club, as both restaurants allow dogs on their outside decks. Following the parade will be a party at Mission Point Resort’s Eurogardens, which not only allows dogs, it has a dog menu.

In place of Saturday evening fireworks this year, Mission Point Resort will host a drive-in movie on its front lawn. Guests can bring blankets or lawn chairs, though it is asked that those with lawn chairs sit near the back so everybody can see. “Somewhere In Time” and “This Time For Keeps” will be playing; both are movies that were filmed on the Island.

The festival began with the crowning of the 2005 Lilac Queen, Blisse Beardsley, and Princess, Shelbie Mosley, at Marquette Park. The Queen’s court includes Kristi Kamphuis, Emily St. Onge, Karlena Mosley, and Christina McLean, all students at Mackinac Island Public School. A special guest at this year’s coronation ceremony was Miss Teen Michigan, Catherine Laurion.