June 24, 2005

Mackinac Island, Mich. - Mackinac State Historic Parks invites the public to celebrate the Fourth of July in true patriotic fashion at Michigan's only surviving Revolutionary War-era fort, 225-year-old Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island.

On Monday, July 4, Fort Mackinac's historic interpreters - dressed as 1880s U.S. soldiers - present "A Star Spangled Fourth" at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., featuring patriotic military music, a 38-gun salute (representing the 38 states in the union in the 1880s) and flag-raising ceremony. Victorian ladies present a program of children's activities and games throughout the day. Admission is $9.50 for adults and $6 for youths (6-17); children five and under are admitted free.

"An American Picnic" at 6:30 p.m. satisfies the hungriest patriot with Grand Hotel's all-you-can-eat tangy barbequed baby-back ribs, grilled chicken breasts, hamburgers, corn on the cob and a slew of salads, fixings and desserts - all served on the historic fort's parade ground.

If purchased by 6 p.m. on July 4, tickets are $36 for adults, $17 for youths (6-17) and free for children five and under. Mackinac Associates enjoy reduced prices of $28 for adults and $12 for youths (6-17). After 6 p.m. prices are $45.50 for adults and $23 for youths (6-17). Tickets include fort admission and may be purchased in advance by calling (906) 847-3328 and at all Mackinac State Historic Parks ticket outlets and Grand Hotel.

Mackinac State Historic Parks, a family of living history museums and parks in Northern Michigan's Straits of Mackinac region, is an agency within the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries. Sites include Fort Mackinac, Historic Downtown and Mackinac Island State Park on Mackinac Island, and Colonial Michilimackinac, Historic Mill Creek and Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse in Mackinaw City. The sites are accredited by the American Association of Museums. Visitor information is available on the Web at www.mackinacparks.com and by phone at (231) 436-4100.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries.