A couple of weeks ago, I received an email with a press release about a special event in Michigan this month. Blossom Days is an event sponsored by the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula. On May 16 and May 17 the public is invited to the wineries to celebrate Blossom Days. According to the press release, “This is the only time of year that visitors will have the opportunity to:

·      Be the first to preview/taste the season’s newly released wines

·      Sample upcoming/reserve wine directly from the barrel

·      Receive exclusive winery tours and discussion time with the individual winemakers”

Seven wineries will be participating and tickets are $15. The ticket includes a commemorative wine glass and tastings.

If you would like additional information, the Wineries of Old Mission website.

When we visited wineries on Old Mission Peninsula, we discovered a beautiful area of the country. So, this email brought back many fond memories of our visit. The press release included also detailed the history of Blossom Days that I found interesting.

“The event brings back to life a long-standing tradition of the Blessing of the Blossoms, which first took place in 1923. For a number of years the Fiedrich Tower (across from what is now Chateau Grand Traverse) was the site. Mr. Fiedrich built the observation tower, dressed it with garlands and sought to wed tourism and faith in the Blessing ceremony. The location moved to Center Rd and Old Mission on occasion, and on to Bowers Harbor Park where the temptation to float blossoms on the water proved irresistible. Others, private and public, have sought to renew this customized ‘liturgy’, which one can now participate and celebrate in at Chateau Chantal on Sunday May 17th at 12:30 p.m.”

If you have the opportunity to visit Old Mission Peninsula on May 16 or 17, it sounds like a lot of fun. 

Cheers! Kathy