"Our festival "way up North" is call the Parade of Nations and members of Michigan Tech's Department of International Programs and Services take turns providing leadership, but the organizing committee is made up of volunteers from the area as well as volunteers from both Finlandia University (FU) and Michigan Tech University (MTU). The cities of Houghton and Hancock are strong sponsors and supporters along with over 40 businesses and organizations. Essentially, the festival is a celebration of both the area's ethnic heritage and the 

international community at MTU and FU. Over 4000 people show up each year to watch a colorful  parade that winds it's way through both cities representing over 60 nations and ending with a  Multicultural Festival in the Dee Stadium were foods from approximately 20 nations are available along with international art, crafts, entertainment and many activities for both young and old. The date for 2016 is September 17 from 11 am to 3 pm.

I enjoyed the MFEA Conference and learned a lot about various Michigan grants that we hope to take advantage of in the future. New information for me was the fact that finding volunteers is a real problem that is helped through collaborating with other organizations and that much of the funding for 

festivals come from selling alcohol responsibly. One other interesting discussion was that our younger generations are not getting involved as generations previously had. 

The highlight for me was the market place. I found many ideas, resources and possible solutions by meeting with vendors and collecting materials to bring back. I enjoyed myself and will definitely recommend attending to other members of our Parade of Nations  group."

To learn more about Parade of Nations, check out the article featured on pages 40 & 41, Celebrating a Multicultural Heritage Way Up North from the November/December 2015 issue of the Michigan Municipal League magazine.

Mini Grant Award

The Michigan Festivals & Events Association has been awarded a 2016 Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs POD Mini-grant in the amount of $1,000. This grant supports a program to assist the office in training for an InDesign program. 

Fun Spots and Lodging

Tourism Colleague

Festivals, Fairs and Events

Student

Complimentary Community Partners 

Vendors

MI Main Attractions by MFEA Invitation Only

We are looking to promote and showcase each of our members using social media. We will be hosting a program featuring the below. MFEA will be happy to share and assist with promoting any materials you may have. Please email your information or any other ideas to [email protected]

Performance of the Week

Featuring our Acts and Entertainers

Please share a video, brief description, upcoming performance dates, times and locations, contact information including booking information, website, Facebook page and anything else you would like to include.

Vendor of the Week 

Please share any images, videos or posts you would MFEA to feature about your businesses, services, specials or offerings. Include your contact information.

Festival, Fair and Events Feature

Please share any pictures, videos, articles, news releases, stories that you would like posted. 

MI Main Attractions

We welcome any fun or exciting information regarding these destinations!