Lilac Queen Blisse Beardsley and Phil Porter, director of Mackinac State Historic Parks, open Fort Mackinac for the season Friday, May 5. Miss Beardsley will officially be crowned Lilac Queen this Friday, June 9, at the 57th annual Lilac Festival. Mackinac Island's 57th annual Lilac Festival gets underway Friday, June 9, just as lilacs are bursting into full bloom. The 10-day schedule of festivities culminates on Father's Day, Sunday, June 18, with the Lilac Parade.

The celebration blends the Island's many varieties of lilacs and distinctive equestrian culture with historic tours, samplings of food and accommodations, and family games.

"The festival celebrates its most recognized botanical symbol, the lilac, while emphasizing its international, cultural and historic appeal," said Mary McGuire Slevin, executive director of the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau, which hosts the celebration. "We have added elements to this year's festival to keep repeat visitors intrigued while targeting botanical, equine, canine, culinary, and wine enthusiasts."

Festivities include the Friday, June 9 coronation of the Lilac Festival Queen and Court at 5:30 p.m. in Marquette Park, free concerts, walk-and-talk tours with members of the International Lilac Society, tall ship cruise and wine tasting, A Taste of Mackinac luncheon, and Kid's Day at Fort Mackinac.

Held on the lawn of the Harbour View Inn, the Taste of Mackinac Thursday, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., provides locals and visitors an opportunity to sample culinary favorites served by chefs from the Island's restaurants. Cuisine ranges from Colonial to contemporary and includes fares such as Austrian, French, Irish, Italian, Jamaican, and Mexican.

Celebrating equine and canine companions, the Mackinac Island Dog & Pony club returns with the second annual Feast of Epona and Epona & Barkus Parade. The dog and pony show will include a blessing of the animals, pony appreciation, horse etiquette, an owner and dog look-alike contest, informal best-in-show awards, and agility competitions. Events run throughout the festival.

New this season is the Barkitecture Design Competition, which brings design professionals together to compete for vacation packages by creating shelters for man's best friend. All barkitecture will be on view at the Dog House reataurant on Windermere Point. With live, silent, and on line auctions, this event will cap of the Feast of Epona festivities and raise much needed funds for the Mackinac Island Dog & Pony Club and other humanitarian equine and canine groups.

Members from the International Lilac Society will be on hand for the annual festival on Mackinac Island. The Learning about Lilacs seminars and daily "Walk and Talk with Lilacs" will feature symposium for enthusiasts and seasoned gardeners to learn more about varieties and care of their lilacs.

"Hosting members from the International Lilac Society is a unique opportunity to gather the world's foremost lilac experts and enthusiasts here on Mackinac Island," said Mrs. Slevin. "This is home to some of the country's oldest and most beautiful lilacs."

A complete schedule of events is posted on the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau's Web site, www.mackinacisland.org.