×

FUDGE FEVER

MARQUETTE – As the self-proclaimed “Fudge Capital of the World,” Mackinac Island is once again hosting its annual Fudge Festival this weekend.

The festival is currently taking place through Sunday and features several fudge-related events, such as fudge making demonstrations; fudge and food pairings; the Great Turtle Slow Race, where bicyclists test their balance by trying to finish last in the event; and the Pioneer Sugar Sack Relay Race, where a team of four people run the relay carrying up to a 50-pound sack of sugar.

“Families and kids in particular love to see how Mackinac Island fudge is made and that’s one of the treats you get with our fudge shops,” Bob Benser, president of the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau, said in a recent press release. “The festival has Willy Wonka-inspired family games and our Golden Ticket prizes bring people to the festival each year.”

Tim Hygh, executive director of the bureau, said five weekend packages will be given away through the Golden Ticket giveaway, which is occurring from 1 to 5 p.m. today.

Golden tickets were expected to be delivered to five fudge shops earlier today, and each fudge shop will have a golden poster in their window, according to the press release. All of the shops will take turns selling special boxes of fudge for one hour, with one box at each location containing a golden ticket.

Winners will receive overnight accommodations, ferry tickets and a Mackinac Island carriage tour for a family of four.

“Mackinac Island and fudge – the place and the product have been inextricably linked for more than 75 years,” said Phil Porter, director of Mackinac Island State Historic Parks. “Along with riding bikes, taking a carriage tour and visiting the fort, buying a box of fudge has been a ‘must-do’ Mackinac Island activity since the Roaring ’20s. The success of this sweet souvenir spawned a successful industry housed in more than a dozen quaint fudge shops in the island’s small village.”

There are more than 15 fudge shops within a 3.8 square-mile radius on Mackinac Island, according to a 2013 blog post by Pure Michigan, the state’s official travel and tourism agency.

The post also said that in 2013 more than 10,000 pounds of fudge left the island each day during the travel season, and that fudge makers shipped in about 10 tons of sugar per week and 10 tons of butter per year to make the fudge.

The first fudge shop to open on Mackinac Island was Murdick’s Fudge in 1887.

Mackinac Island was first settled by Europeans in the late 1600s, and following the construction of Fort Mackinac was used as a military stronghold by both British and American forces from 1780 to 1895.

The federal government created Mackinac National Park in 1875, though the park was later transferred to the state in 1895 making it Michigan’s first state park.

Since 1898, automobiles have been banned on Mackinac Island, according to the travel bureau, which has resulted in clean, noise-free air and a village ambiance filled with the clopping of horses’ hooves.

For more information, visit www.mackinacparks.com or mackinacisland.org.

Ryan Jarvi can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. His email address is rjarvi@miningjournal.net.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today