Bud Bash 2012: Here It Comes

Love it or hate it Bud Bash in Houghton Lake, Michigan is on it's way.

Bud Bash is a summer time legend in Michigan, surrounding states and parts of Canada. When sun worshipers and boaters of all ages converge on our little town (on the shores of the biggest inland lake in Michigan) for a weekend of unrivaled fun on the water. OK the Jobbie Nooner could be a close second. Both involve boats and sunbathers and lakes. Both are Pure Michigan (tongue in cheek).

The Jobbie Nooner is held on an island in Lake St Clair, in the late springtime and during the week. Bud Bash is held at the Limberlost Bar & Grill on the south shore of Houghton Lake, the first Saturday of August. Jobbie Nooner is often cool and rainy. Bud Bash is hot, hot,HOT!

Sponsored by Budweiser, there is plenty of refreshments,freshly prepared food, and my favorite,  live music. Limberlost has a spacious deck with a beautiful view of Houghton Lake and a dock for those that wish to arrive by boat. Many boaters just tie off to each other and enjoy the sun and fun from their boats.


The actual Bud Bash is on Saturday but many revelers begin on Friday and continue on through Sunday. Especially when the weather is nice. 


This has been a booming summer for Houghton Lake so far. Whether due to gas prices dropping in time for summer or just word getting around about what a great place Houghton Lake is to vacation it's a welcome sight for local merchants. There are plenty of other festivals and activities in and around Houghton Lake for non Bashers.


Plan early if you'll need a motel room for the night. We have campgrounds near town, several state campgrounds and parks.

Tips for a good time:

• Drink plenty of water
• Drink responsibly. Alcohol dehydrates (each year someone goes to the hospital for dehydration)
• Monitor your time in the sun and use sunscreen or sunblock 
• Please be responsible and respect other peoples property (the biggest single complaint is property damage to homes near the Limberlost) 

We want you to have good time but drink responsibly  

 So come early and stay late.


Hope to see you there,


Ken S

Houghton Lake HS: Legally Blonde the Musical

Coming  March 23-25, 2012 The Houghton Lake High School rendition of

Legally Blonde the Musical

At the high school auditorium. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 7pm and a Sunday afternoon matinee at 2pm.

Tickets will be sold on March 8,13,15,20 and 22 at the ticket office in the high school lobby.

Tickets are $8.

So c'mon out and enjoy a great night at the theater while supporting the high school.

Hope to see ya there,

Ken S

Tip Up Town USA 2012-Houghton Lake Ice Fishing Festival

Tip Up Town USA is the largest winter festival in Michigan and one of the largest throughout the country. With many attractions, activities and contests to delight young and old. There's truly something for the whole family. Tip Up Town is Friday, Saturday & Sunday over two weekends. Fridays are Family Ice Skating and Hot Dogs and Entertainment in the Beverage Tent, with the bulk of the activities happening on Saturday and Sunday (for schedule of events see below).

Elections for Tip Up Town Mayor, Grand Marshall and TUT Queen will be held on January 7,2012 at the Houghton Lake High school gym. As always all are invited to come and enjoy the fun as "political parties" attempt to convince the electorate through speeches and a talent show, that they deserve the dubious distinction of being elected to the offices of Mayor and Grand Marshall.

Tip Up Town badges will be $6 again this year and may be purchased at many stores and shops around Houghton Lake or at the entrance to Tip Town at the south DNR boat launch. Badges grant entry into many of the attractions, shows and rides, although some do require an extra fee (click below for more info). The Grand Marshall will be checking for badges and all persons found at the festival without a badge will be placed in TUT jail until someone "bails" them out by purchasing a badge.

Parking is at the Houghton Lake High school with free shuttle service to and from the festival.

Tip Up Town USA, 2012. The most fun you can have on a frozen lake in the middle of winter. Hope to see you there.

For more info CLICK HERE

OUTDOOR STAGE SCHEDULE				FAMILY FUN TENT SCHEDULE
Saturday, January 21				Saturday, January 21
NOON 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 4:00pm	Medallion Hunt Egg Toss Cracker Whistle Pie Eating Contest Tug-of-War	12:30 1:30pm 2:30pm 3:30pm	Tire Roll Redneck Golf Bubblegum/Hula Hoop Make a Head of Hair	NOON 12:30-1:30 1:30-2:30 2:30-3:30 3:30-4:30 4:30-5:30	Opening Ceremony Peanut Butter ‘N Jams Fun & Games With Diversity Entertainment Doggie Show Carrie Westbay Fun & Games with Diversity Entertainment
Sunday, January 22				Sunday, January 22
NOON 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 4:00pm	Medallion Hunt Egg Toss Cracker Whistle Pie Eating Contest Tug-of-War	12:30 1:30pm 2:30pm 3:30pm	Tire Roll Redneck Golf Bubblegum/Hula Hoop Make a Head of Hair	10:00-11:00 12:00-1:00 1:00-2:00 2:00-3:00 3:00-4:00 4:00	Church Service Fun & Games with Diversity Entertainment Tom McDermott, Guitarist Fun & Games with Diversity Entertainment Joel Tacey, Tip Top Entertainment Grand Prize Drawing
Saturday, January 28				Saturday, January 28
NOON 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 4:00pm	Medallion Hunt Egg Toss Cracker Whistle/Bubblegum Pie Eating Contest Tug-of-War	12:30 1:30pm 2:30pm 3:30pm	Tire Roll Redneck Golf Brother of the Bush/Most Badges Make a Head of Hair	12:00-1:00 1:00-2:00 2:00-2:30 2:30-3:30 3:30-4:00 4:00-5:00 5:00-5:30	Fun & Games with Diversity Entertainment Mean Mary, Banjo Artist Fun & Games With Diversity Entertainment Acting Up Theatre Company Fun & Games With Diversity Entertainment Carrie Westbay, Singer Fun & Games With Diversity Entertainment
Sunday, January 29				Sunday, January 29
NOON 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 4:00pm	Medallion Hunt Egg Toss Cracker Whistle Pie Eating Contest Tug-of-War	12:30 1:30pm 2:30pm 3:30pm	Tire Roll Redneck Golf Bubblegum/Hula Hoop Make a Head of Hair	10:00-11:00 12:00-1:00 1:00-2:00 2:00-4:00 4:00	Church Service Fun & Games with Diversity Entertainment A.R.K. Fun & Games with Diversity Entertainment Grand Prize Drawing

Alpenfest 2011 Gaylord MI

Alpenfest Badge from 2010

Welcome to Alpenfest. A celebration of food and music in downtown Gaylord from July 12-16. Starting with the Queens Pageant on Tuesday, July 12 in the evening.

With a Grand Parade on Saturday, July 16

 The Alpine Village Main Street is closed to traffic and magically becomes an Alpenstrasse where you will find 60+ artists and craftsmen from around the country selling their wares.

There will be carnival rides for the kids and a week long Megapass will be available giving access to all rides for the week. Passes cost $60. To order passes click here. 

For the adults there is live music:

Wednesday, July 13

12:00 noon The Young Americans make their annual visit to the Alpine Villiage.

8:00 pm Restless Heart, straight from Nashville, don't miss this one

Thursday, July 14

8:00 pm Alan Turner the The Steel Horse Band,

Friday, July 15

8:00 pm Jonny Diaz, a little upbeat Christian Music

Saturday, July 16

7:00 pm The Elders,  Celtic and Irish in one setting!

The Alpine Village Main Street is closed to traffic and magically becomes an Alpenstrasse where you will find 60+ artists and craftsmen from around the country selling their wares.

This festival is a favorite of many vacationers in the area and as such gets many people. So wear comfortable clothes and shoes and enjoy a day of fun, food, music, crafts and rides.

For more info on this and other festivals in the Houghton Lake area click here.

See Ya There,

Ken S