For 60 years, Mackinac Island has celebrated the beginning of spring by taking the time to smell the lilacs. This year, from Friday, June 5, to Sunday, June 14, while the Island is awash with the smell of lilacs, a plethora of events ranging from musical entertainment in the evening to hikes in the daytime will keep people on the Island busy.

The festival's theme this year is "The American Circus: 1793- 1940." For several years now, the theme has been chosen from a book and the circus seems fitting, said Tourism Bureau Director Mary Slevin.

"We're not a circus by any means, but the idea of moving from town to town and setting up and tearing down," Mrs. Slevin said, "we do that every season."

Even though Michigan's economy is suffering, Mrs. Slevin doesn't think the Lilac Festival will see a big decrease in attendees. People have been calling and making reservations right along, she said, and the Lilac Festival Web site has been busy.

"Sure, the economy is down, but the Lilac Festival draws people from across the country," Mrs. Slevin said. "Places with economies that aren't as bad as Michigan's. My fingers are crossed."

The festival has a few new events this year. One of them is movies at Mission Point Theatre Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays.

Radio Mackinac will kick off the Summer Concert Music Series at Mission Point Theatre Wednesday, June 10. The concert will be at 8 p.m. and will feature singer Billy Brandt.

"He's an amazing singer and songwriter," Mrs. Slevin said. "He's got over 20 Detroit Music Awards."

The festival begins at 4:30 p.m. Friday, with the Pre-Coronation Concert at Windermere Point, followed by the Coronation of the Lilac Queen by Mayor Margaret Doud.

The Lilac Festival 10K run is at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, June 6, after which is the Lil Lilac Run/Walk at 11 a.m. Later that afternoon is the first session of Walk and Talk with Lilacs at 3 p.m. at the Harbour View Inn. The session is $10 and is repeated at different places and times throughout the week.

Sunday, June 7, at 9 a.m. is the Lilac Festival Lybster Brunch at Patrick Sinclair's Irish Pub. Lybster, Scotland, is the home of Fort Mackinac's Lieutenant-Governor Patrick Sinclair and is the sister city to Mackinac Island. Learning to Grow, a program where children learn about planting and repotting lilacs, is at 1 p.m. in Ste. Anne's Churchyard. The program is also offered Monday, June 8, and Tuesday, June 9.

A Golf Tournament will take place at The Jewel at Grand Hotel Monday, June 8, at 5:30 p.m. There is a $50 fee and for registration call (906) 847-3331. That evening, there will be a Sunset Cruise Under the Mackinac Bridge leaving at 8 p.m. on Star Line Ferry.

A Grand Hotel History Lecture will be given Tuesday, June 9, at 10 a.m. with historian Bob Tagatz. The lecture will take place at Grand Hotel and it is included with the hotel admittance fee. That afternoon, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., the Ard·n Academy of Irish Dance Ceili Dancing will demonstrate Irish Social Dancing at Patrick Sinclair's Irish Pub. Participants are encouraged to join in. That evening, the Gate House is hosting a Jazz and Wine Night with Alex Graham at 9 p.m.

Wednesday, June 10, at 9:30 a.m. tours will be given of the Governor's Summer Residence. The tours are free and last until 11:30 a.m. Also, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. there is a Lilac Festival Wine Tasting at the Yankee Rebel Tavern.

A Taste of Mackinac Culinary Event will be at the Harbour View Inn Thursday, June 11, at 11:30 a.m. It will give locals and visitors a chance to experience fare from different chefs on the Island and has a special appearance by Ard·n Academy of Irish Dance and piano music by Dalmain Wheatly. Also on Thursday, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., is the Lilac Festival Beer Tasting at Patrick Sinclair's Irish Pub.

At 2 p.m. Friday, June 12, Doc Crain will lead a hiking tour starting at the Marquette Memorial in Marquette Park. The Lilac Festival Garden Party: An Evening of Lilacs with Jeff Young, a lilac curator, will be at Metivier Inn. The event will last from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and has a $25 fee per person.

At 1 p.m. Saturday, June 13, the Epona and Barkus Parade will take place on the boardwalk. The fee is $20 and proceeds will benefit the Mackinac Island Dog and Pony Club. Following the parade is the fifth annual Mackinac Island Dog and Pony Show at Windermere Point at 1:30 p.m. The show features a show of trick horses and dogs, called Dan Wallen Dog House.

The Lilac Festival concludes with the Lilac Festival Grand Parade at 5 p.m. Brothers Carl and Don Andress, local descendants of Chief Mackinac, will lead the parade.

A complete list of events is posted on the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau's Lilac Festival Web site.