As Leelanau receives a proper northern Michigan winter, the Empire Area Community Center (EACC) prepares to revive a favorite winter tradition– the Empire Winterfest. Events will be hosted throughout the Village of Empire Saturday, February 22, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Winterfest in Empire has for many years been a long-standing tradition that brings community members together,” EACC President Gerry Shiffman said. “We invite our friends and neighbors in surrounding communities and from far and wide to gather and celebrate with us as we collectively raise our spirits and enjoy all of the splendor and beauty this remarkable area and its extraordinary people have to offer.”
Empire last hosted a Winterfest in 2018, but it had been celebrated for decades before.
The family-friendly event went by the wayside in 2018 due to a lack of planners or help putting it on.
According to event organizer Mae Stier, the most well-known event–a polar plunge in South Bar Lake–will return this year, along with a number of other activities, including public saunas, a neighbor coffee hour, a potluck, live music, and more.
The festivities will begin at 9 a.m. with yoga at the township hall, followed by the Friends of the Library hosting a book sale at the Glen Lake Community Library.
Brave souls are invited to a polar plunge in South Bar Lake at 1 p.m.
Saunas will also be at the beach. All participants of the polar plunge will receive a coupon for free hot cocoa from Grocer’s Daughter. Sleeping Bear Sauna will have saunas available for public use from 12-3 p.m.
Tiffany’s Cafe will host a coffee meetup for neighbors (or anyone) from 2 to 4 p.m. New area residents are especially invited to come get acquainted. Across the street from Tiffany’s, Sleeping Bear Surf will be open throughout the day and host several family-friendly winter activities outside, including snowball throwing competitions, snowman making, ice bowling, and more. The beer garden at Joe’s Friendly Tavern will be open with a fire pit and drinks and snacks available throughout the afternoon.
In the evening, there will be a soup potluck at the Empire Township Hall from 5 to 7 p.m. Chris Skellenger and Paul Koss will provide music. Attendees are invited to bring a salad, soup, or dessert to share. After the potluck, the Empire Village Inn will welcome everyone for the afterparty, where winter drink specials will be available.
Local resident, village council trustee, and owner of Sleeping Bear Surf, Ella Skrocki, has fond memories of attending Winterfest. She looks forward to seeing the event return to the village, noting that “particularly during this time of year when it feels a little harder to pull ourselves out of hibernation, gatherings like Winterfest are a way to create some sunshine! When we gather for some light-hearted play with our neighbors, we prompt a coming together, enabling a community to not just survive, but thrive.”
Local shops, including Empire Outdoors, Sleeping Bear Surf, Nature Walk Studio, and JoJo and Bucky, will be open throughout the day. Empire Outdoors is hosting a 30% off clothing sale, and Nature Walk Studio is offering a 25% off sale on clothing and jewelry.
Plan to come together as a community on February 22 and enjoy a day of joy and winter fun in Empire.
All Winterfest activities are free to attend, and the Empire Area Community Center sponsors the event.
There will be a preview of the Northport Winter Carnival next week
