This weekend, it is all about food and fun on this edition of my Weekend Fun Five. You can sample food from area restaurants, have fun at a few winter festivals with the family, help out a local animal shelter, and even take in a ballet.
Let’s start with a rockin’ good time while helping out animals in need with Rock Out for Rescue this Friday from 6:00 – 10:00pm at Gypsy Distillery. Join the Little Traverse Bay Humane Society for a night of live entertainment, dancing, heavy hors d’oeuvres by Libe Lula, desserts by Simply Sweet by Jessica, an open bar, a raffle, and a silent auction. Local bands Yankee Station and Continuous Imposition will be rockin’ the stage for a good cause. Courtesy valet parking will be provided. Funds from Rock Out for Rescue help Little Traverse Bay Humane Society impact the lives of thousands of animals each year. LTBHS.org/rockout for further details and tickets.
The event will go further than the weekend, but why put off till later, when you can try a fabulous restaurant during Harbor Springs Restaurant Week, from Friday, Feb. 20 thru March 1st. Discover the flavors of the Harbor Springs area and indulge in specially curated menus from our vibrant local restaurants. Enjoy creative culinary offerings and exclusive deals, showcasing the best of the Harbor Springs area dining scene. Whether you’re a foodie or just looking for a fun night out, Restaurant Week 2026 offers something for everyone. A complete list of restaurants and their special menus can be found at HarborSpringsChamber.com on their events page.
If you’d like to enjoy a date night with your significant other, consider seeing Romeo and Juliet at the Great Lakes Center for the Arts, this Friday starting at 7PM
Witness William Shakespeare’s tragic tale of star-crossed lovers as Interlochen’s Academy Dance Division presents the ballet adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. Sparks fly when Veronese teenagers Romeo and Juliet meet at a party, but their whirlwind courtship is complicated by their families’ long-standing feud. Tickets start at $25 for adults and $15 for students. For tickets, go to GreatLakesCFA.org on their events page.
If it is fun for the family your are looking for, there are two winterfest style events for you to choose from…
The 9th Annual Walloon Lake Winterfest goes from Noon till 4pm on Saturday at the Village Green Park in Walloon Lake. This cherished winter tradition brings the community together along the snowy shoreline of Walloon Lake for an afternoon of seasonal festivities and family friendly activities. Highlights include an antique snowmobiles, tasting tent, live wood carving, live music, a classic bean pot with donations supporting the Petoskey Snowmobile Club, pretzels provided by the Walloon Lake Area Conservancy, a hot cocoa bar by the Walloon Lake Inn, and a festive door prize drawing. Details can be found at WalloonLakeMI.com on the events page.
The other event take us further south in Interlochen… or should I say, “Winterlochen!” Also on Saturday, starting at 11AM at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. Shake off the winter blues and join the students, faculty, & staff of Interlochen Arts Academy for the annual winter festival, Winterlochen! Bundle up for outdoor fun such as sledding and s’mores, then head inside for a variety of family-friendly arts exploration activities. Try out instruments, learn the basics of acting, dance to live jazz, paints & crafts, conduct the Arts Academy Orchestra, and much more. There will be a campus-wide parade to Corson Auditorium for a free magic performance by renowned magician Scott Green. It is a free event, and you can get more details at Interlochen.org.
As always, have a fun, safe time this weekend,
John Kelly
