These concepts for banners for lampposts on Central Avenue in Mackinaw City are being considered by the Village Council. Developed for the Mackinaw Area Visitors Bureau, they depict the village's lure to tourists - "living history, making history" over several centuries, and would be in place by the 2009 vacation season. The Mackinaw Area Visitors Bureau is eyeing new programs for 2009, and Bill Bertchinger, its chairman, is facing that year with optimism.

"We're going to advertise just like we always do," he said.

For example, concept drawings for new street banners to depict Mackinaw City's history going back to the 17th century and up to the 21st were shown to the Village Council Thursday, December 18, by Greg Hokans, development and marketing director at Mackinac State Historic Parks.

When made final, the banners will hang on lampposts on Central Avenue and echo the Visitors Bureau-directed advertising theme of "Making History, Living History."

Similar drawings have been on display at Michilimackinac State Park, which will observe its centennial as a state park next year. But they've been redesigned to better fit the Central Avenue environment.

The idea, said Mr. Hokans, is to freshen them and bring them out into the broader community. The idea also is to create entirely new banners to represent the 20th and 21st centuries, the "making history" part of the village theme.

The Visitors Bureau also displayed banners commemorating the 50th anniversaries of the Mackinac Bridge in 2007 and, in 2008, the first bridge walk.

For 2009, it decided to again stress the "Making History, Living History" theme with the new banners.

In other activities for next year, the bureau plans its customary events for Memorial Day weekend, a Mackinac Bridge run for up to 700 people (who pay $45 apiece), a party for the runners at Conkling Heritage Park, a fireworks display, and an arts and crafts show.

New this year will be a fine arts show, where some 50 Michigan artists will exhibit their work in the park, accompanied by live jazz music.