Outdoorama, drinking in the snow and more this week in Michigan. Get outdoors!
- Learn how to process deer, get walleye fishing tips and more at Outdoorama happening through Sunday
- Imbibe while outside at Winter Beer Fest near Grand Rapids, Nordic Nibble and Nosh outside Gaylord or while snowshoeing during a Vine to Wine tour near Traverse City
- Volunteer outdoors at a black oak and white pine savanna in Muskegon
True outdoor enthusiasts may scoff at low temperatures, but many are headed indoors this weekend: Outdoorama is back for its 52nd season at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi.
In addition to shopping for boats, outdoor gear or hunting trips, Outdoorama participants can learn stuff, too. Watch a demonstration on how to skin, butcher and package a white-tailed deer or catch a seminar on how to fish for Walleye ahead of the upcoming season.
Outdoors lineup
Bridge Michigan plans weekly lists of outdoor-related happenings that you won’t want to miss. Want to make sure an event is on our radar? Send it to lherberg@bridgemi.com for consideration in a future round-up.
New this year is “JUMP! – The Ultimate Dog Show,” described as “a crowd-pleasing, action-packed canine thrill show.” Old standards remain, like the Big Buck Night-East that displays mounts or antlers of some of the biggest bucks hunted in Michigan during the 2024 season.
Outdoorama will be open 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, noon to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m on Sunday. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-14. On-site parking is $10.
Imbibe outside
Those who venture outdoors have ample opportunities to drink alcohol:
- Nordic Nibble and Nosh: On Saturday, ski a 10 kilometer cross country trail in Lewiston outside Gaylord, stopping to eat, drink and play along the way. The Garland Lodge & Golf Resort periodically hosts these Nordic Nibble and Nosh events. This one is 1980s themed and starts between 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Stops include a breakfast buffet with bloody marys, a roaring fire and the opportunity to build your own trail mix, ice bowling and more. Reservations required. Tickets are $99 for adults 21 and up, $79 for ages 12-20, $59 for ages 11 and younger.
- Winter Beer Festival: Also on Saturday, choose from hundreds of beers from Michigan breweries while listening to music and admiring ice sculptures outdoors at LMCU Ballpark in Comstock Park, just north of Grand Rapids. The Winter Beer Festival is 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and costs $60. Food is available for additional costs. Attendees must be 21 or up.
- Vine to Wine: Snowshoe along a private trail to three wineries in Suttons Bay outside Traverse City on this guided tour. Choose from a 5.5 mile loop trail or a 3 mile trip with a van ride back to your vehicle. Both options include snowshoe rental and a warm lunch. Trips run on Saturdays through March 15. Cost is $79.
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Other great ways to get your outdoor fix:
Saturday
- Michigan Nature Association is leading a workday at Five Lakes Muskegon Nature Sanctuary, a black oak and white pine savanna in Muskegon. Help cut down invasive brush and trees, weather permitting, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. RSVP to sgoldman@michigannature.org
- Join one of about a dozen guided and themed group rides as part of the Bike the Blizzard fundraiser in Detroit Saturday and Sunday. Proceeds benefit the nonprofit Back Alley Bikes, which gives away bicycles and teaches maintenance in a city with lower-than-average rates of car ownership. Participants pay $25 to take part ($35 if they want a T shirt) and are expected to raise at least $50. Read more about the event here.
Monday
- Interested in learning how to prune grapes? This is your chance. Michigan State University Extension Small Fruits Educator Cheyenne Sloan will be leading a demonstration at Barely There Winery in Swartz Creek outside Flint from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Cost is free but spots are limited. Register online here.
Tuesday
- The Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit is hosting another “Senior Stroll” scavenger hunt for older adults. This one takes place on the Dequindre Cut trail and will happen rain, snow or shine. It’s free. Find more information and register here.
Thursday
- Delta College Planetarium in Midland is showing “Mysteries Of The Great Lakes Planetarium Show” at 2 p.m. Marvel at stunning footage of one-fifth of the planet’s fresh water at this $5 show. Tickets and more information here.
- Dust off your vintage snowmobile (or just show up to gawk) at the Semi Retired Iron Vintage Weekend - Let’s Ride gathering in Toivola on the Keweenaw Peninsula. The four-day event for retro sled owners promises “thrilling rides, live music and camaraderie.” More info here.
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