Special Events at Fort Wilkins State Park 2010
May 31st
Memorial Day Ceremony
Come and observe the Fort Wilkins Memorial Day Ceremony on the Old Fort Wilkins parade grounds. Special programs will be put on by the Copper Harbor Elementary School student body as well as musical tributes for our nation’s armed forces. Starting time is at 10:00 AM with free refreshments following the ceremony. A Michigan State Park Motor Vehicle Permit is required for entry into the park
July 30th, 31st, and August 1st
Battery “D”
History comes alive at Fort Wilkins. Battery “D”, 1st Michigan Light Artillery, a Civil War era living history group returns to Fort Wilkins for its 26th weekend encampment. The weekend event will be open to park visitors from 8 AM to 8 PM on Friday and Saturday, and 8 AM to 4 PM on Sunday. Battery “D” will interpret army life of the period, demonstrating artillery and small arms drills, period cooking and soldiers’ pastimes. A Michigan State Park Motor Vehicle Permit is required for entry into the park.
August 7th
CopperMan Triathlon
The "Copperman Triathlon" starts at 9:00 AM at the Lake Fanny Hooe boating access site. Participants will swim tranquil Lake Fanny Hooe, bike the rocky shores of Lake Superior and run through the wilderness on shady roads. Visitors can observe all three stages of the event from Lake Fanny Hooe boating access site. Sponsored by the Aspirus Keweenaw Memorial Medical Center. For information contact the park at 906-289-4215 or Terry Smythe at 906-482-8201 or visit the website: http://www.keweenawcopperman.org/ Participants must pre-register. . A Michigan State Park Motor Vehicle Permit is required for entry into the park.
August 14th
Fort Wilkins by Candlelight
History comes alive with Civil War re-enactors portraying a unit of the Veteran Reserve Corp during the day. The young Future Historians will be concluding their weeklong camp with a presentation of “Kids Games from the Past” at 1:00 PM. Visitors of all ages are asked to participate. The evening Candlelight program will start at 8:00 PM. Following the program there will be candlelight visits to several fort buildings followed by light refreshments in the restored 1844 mess hall. Come and visit a U.S. Army Fort as it was seen in 1840’s. A Michigan State Park Motor Vehicle Permit is required for entry into the park.
September 5th
Copper Harbor Fat Tire Festival
The Copper Harbor Fat Tire Festival includes 24 & 14 mile cross country mountain bike races on Sunday at 2 PM over trails in Fort Wilkins Historic State Park and the Copper Harbor area, There is a preview ride on Saturday. The Junior Fat Tire Kid's Race is on Sunday at 12:30 PM. Live music, refreshments & good times follow the awards presentation in Grant Township Park on US-41 in Copper Harbor, so plan on spending the night! For more information, contact Sam at (906) 289-4303 or sam@keweenawadventure.com. Or visit their web site at http://www.keweenawadventure.com/fat_tire.htm
A Michigan State Park Motor Vehicle Permit is required for entry into the park.
September 11th
Antique Car Show in the Fort
Come and see pre 1940’s antique cars on the parade grounds of the Fort. This will bring back the days before Fort Wilkins became a state park and visitors drove here to picnic and camp. A Michigan State Park Motor Vehicle Permit is required for entry into the park.
September 18th
Geocaching in the Keweenaw
Spend the day exploring the beautiful Keweenaw Peninsula during the fall color season during a geocaching event. At the end of the day there will be a bonfire with hot dogs and snacks provided. A treasure hunt for kids will be held before the evening cookout. A Michigan State Park Motor Vehicle Permit is required for entry into the park.
