Event Calender
There is plenty to do & see at the South Park as well as the local area through the summer with great events. Don't sit at home, get out and enjoy the Higgins Lake & the surrounding area! Plan a great get-away vacation around your favorite events, and come back year after year...
The South Higgins Lake State Park also features a weekly scheduled 'Explorer Program'. Program topics include forests, insects, night hikes, pond studies and other topics covering the variety of plants, animals and natural features found within each park. These programs are designed for children and adults, often in a family setting. Click here for the Explorer program weekly schedules.
Summer 2010 events
May
May 14 Boat Rentals available begining this weekend at the Park Store- get them a week early, before the store opens & do some springtime fishing on the lake!
May 21-23 The Park Store opens for the summer begining this weekend!
Boating Safety Class. South Higgins Lake State Park and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary are hosting a free one day Boating Safety class at the South Higgins Lake State Park on Saturday May 22, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The class which is open to the first 20 people to register will cover the basics of Boater Safety as well as Federal and Michigan Boating Regulations. Click for information!
Catamaran Racing Associassion of Michigan (CRAM) Regatta - The 1st race of the series stops at the South Park for a weekend of catamaran sailboat racing. Higgins Lake provides a protected site for early season sailing. The Saturday night party is the annual Chili Cookoff. Bring your best pot of chili and compete for the best chili of 2010! Click for Notice Of Regatta!
May 28-29 Memorial Weekend holiday at the park- The first weekend of the summer kicks off in style with a full-to-capacity campground, sunbathers & boaters, and cool springtime water at the lake.
June
June 5 Imagination Gone Wild! Words, we use them every day. Come out to South Higgins Lake State Park and discover all the ways that people use words along the shores of Higgins Lake. Authors, story tellers, musicians, historians, actors and many more will be on hand showing off their trade, and teaching you how to get involved too. Don't miss the giant outdoor scrabble game. For more details contact the park at 989-821-6374. Click For Event Poster pdf ... Click For Event Schedule pdf
June 12 South Higgins Lake State Park 4nd Annual Classic Car & Motorcycle Show- Come see the areas finest classic cars, hot rods, muscle cars & motorcycles from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. What a better place to spend a late spring day than on the shores of Higgins Lake admiring some Detroit steel. Dash plaques are presented to the first 75 vehicles entered and there are several awards and door prizes available. For more details and to register your vehicle in the event contact the park at 989-821-6374. Click here for the registration form
Great Lakes Demo Tour Windsurfing. Old Point Comfort Marine, Higgins Lake. Registration on Saturday June 12 begins at 11:00 AM at Old Point Comfort (OPC) Marina. OPC is located in Lyon Manor on the south shore of the big (North) end of the lake. The demo runs from Noon to 6:00 PM on Saturday only. The demo will be held at the end of Sunset Road on the east shore of the north end of the lake. The location of the on the water site may change depending on weather and other conditions. Check in at OPC before going to the launch for lessons and demos.
Department of Natural Resources Free fishing Weekend. Two days twice a year, families and friends can enjoy one of Michigan's premiere outdoor activities, Michigan Fishing, for FREE! All fishing license fees will be waived for two days- June 12,13. Residents and outstate visitors may enjoy fishing on both inland and Great Lakes' waters for all species of fish. All fishing regulations will still apply. For many, the annual Free Fishing Weekend has become a tradition - a time to get together and have some fishing fun. While some may find time to reflect while fishing, there are no limits to variations on a great theme! So grab a pole and your family and friends, and let's go fishing!
June 19 Higgins Lake Sunrise Run! Roscommon Rotary is pleased to announce the inaugural Higgins Lake Sunrise Run featuring a half marathon run/walk on and near beautiful Higgins Lake. Starting from the Higgins Lake North State Park and finishing at the Higgins Lake South State Park. In addition to the Half Marathon, race day will include a 10K run/walk, 5K run/walk, and Fun Run/Walk for children and families. Proceeds will be used to benefit the non-motorized trail development around Higgins Lake, Roscommon County Cops for Kids and the Roscommon Area Youth Booster Club to support Academic, Arts and Athletic programs. Click for race event schedule.
June 26-27 Dairy Days & Barndance Show at the Wellington Farm- Higgins Lake.
July
July 3 Higgins Lake Boat Club Firecracker Regatta.
July 4 Independance Day Higgins Lake Flotilla Party! Annual 'unofficial', unorganized, celebration party at Higgins Lake. The infamous 4th Of July party at 'The South Park Beach' is one of the largest in Northern Michigan where thousands of 'adult' beachgoers & boaters converge. Also, many law enforcement agencies will be here to ensure everyone enjoys themselves safely. Planning on attending the crazyness?... get here early because parking will be very limited by noon as well as the park closing to incoming traffic as well. Our boat rentals will also be by full day reservations only this weekend.
Roscommon Freedom Festival & Fireworks. This year's parade will be held at 11:00 AM and will begin on North Fifth Street near Glen's Market, turn right at the Fifth-Lake Street stop light and continue to the stop light at Lake Street and M-18. The fireworks will take place at the Roscommon County Fire Training Grounds on Balenger Road. For info call (989) 275-8760
July 5 Independance Parade at Higgins Lake. The parade is planned to begin at 11:00 AM & the route will be along West Higgins Lake Drive from Phoenix Park to the Lyon Twp Fire Hall.
July 10 Great Lakes Demo Tour Windsurfing. Old Point Comfort Marine, Higgins Lake. Registration begins at 11:00 AM at Old Point Comfort (OPC) Marina. OPC is located in Lyon Manor on the south shore of the big (North) end of the lake. The demo runs from Noon to 6:00 PM on Saturday only. The demo will be held at the end of Sunset Road on the east shore of the north end of the lake. The location of the on the water site may change depending on weather and other conditions. Check in at OPC before going to the launch for lessons and demos.
July 24-25 AuSable River Canoe Marathon, Grayling. Celebrating the 63st year of the longest non-stop canoe race in North America, and the world's toughest spectator race! Grayling to Oscoda, Michigan. North America's richest canoe race, over $50,000.00 cash and prizes.
August
August 1-3 Roscommon County Fair. For info call (989) 275-8760
August 2 Higgins Lake Annual Lightning Regatta. Higgins Lake Boat Blub.
August 16 Higgins Lake Boat Club North-South regatta race.
August 16 Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre at Wellington Farm, Higgins Lake.
August 23 Scott McNamara car show, Roscommon.
August 23-24 Vintage Tractor & Engine show, Wellington Farm- Higgins Lake.
September
Sept. 11-12 Great Lakes Demo Tour Windsurfing. The September 11 and 12 demos will be held at the South Higgins Lake State Park. The demos run from Noon to 6:00 PM on Saturday and Noon to 4 PM on Sunday. This Demo Event is held in conjunction with the annual Higgins Lake Regatta hosted by the Grosse Point Windsurfing club.
Sept. 16-19 31th Annual Firemans Memorial Festival.
October
Oct. 3-5 Higgins Lake Harvestfest at the South Higgins Lake State Park. The 5th Annual Higgins Harvest, a "GO-Get Outdoors" event at South Higgins Lake State Park, is set for Oct. 3-5, according the Department of Natural Resources. Activities for registered campers will include campsite decoration, pumpkin painting, costume judging, trick-or-treating, fall crafts, best pet costumes and a scavenger hunt. The "Spooky Walk" is back again this year and is open to all visitors, both campers and non-campers alike, from 9 to 11 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday. The South Higgins Lake Park Store will also be providing pirate ship rides for all visitors, departing from the boat lagoon, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Sunday. Those who are not camping may wish to join the "Trunk-n-Treat" and participate in the trick or treating in a safe, friendly environment. Bring the kids, the treats, and costumes and decorate the trunk of your car or the entire car. Prizes will be awarded for the best decorated car. The Park Store closes until spring '09 after this event.