IAA Seniors and Post-Grads Take on Mackinac Island
Written by Kalea Hoffner
Tourists bike down the streets of Mackinac Island.
On Saturday, Sep. 14, a group of seniors and postgraduate students from IAA awoke bright and early, loaded onto four charter buses, and set off on an adventure. Their destination was Mackinac Island, home of horse-drawn carriages and world-famous fudge.
IAA students look at the Mackinac Bridge from the ferry.
Taking students to Mackinac Island dates back to the first IAA school year in 1962. This historic tradition became strictly a senior and postgraduate activity in 1967, making this year the 58th annual senior excursion to Mackinac. This year, the weather was very pleasant, with the sun shining brightly and temperatures hitting 71°F. Mackinac Island is accessible by a 15-minute ferry ride from the mainland, which left Interlochen students with tangled, wind-blown hair and partially drenched clothes from being splashed by the cold waters of Lake Huron.
A view of the architecture of the island.
In 1875, Mackinac became the United States’ second national park, and today over 82% of the island remains a state park. While cars are banned on Mackinac, the island has over 600 horses and 1,400 rental bikes for transportation. Only 500 people live on the island year-round, but it is estimated that about 1.2 million people visit Mackinac each year, the majority of these tourists vacationing on the island during summer. During this time, a whopping ten tons of sugar are brought to Mackinac weekly to make fudge.
IAA students at one of the beaches on Mackinac.
The island offers a variety of activities, with plenty of options for dining and shopping. Interlochen students’ favorite foods on the island included fudge from Joann’s Fudge, the ‘Cranky Cure’ smoothie from Watercolor Cafe, chocolate-covered strawberries from Ryba’s Fudge Shops, and, of course, a northern Michigan favorite, ice cream from Moomers. While biking the entire 8.2 mile circumference of the island was the most popular activity, visiting the butterfly garden was also a fan favorite. The most memorable spots on the island were the rocky beaches around the island, the famous Arch Rock, and St. Anne’s Church.
When asked about her Mackinac Island trip experience, Georgia Turner, a senior Musical Theater major, said, “I really enjoyed getting to explore a new place with my peers. I loved biking across the island and tasting fudge with my friends.”
It is no secret that this tradition is a favorite among the students of the Interlochen community. The junior class at IAA is sure to be looking forward to next year when it will be their turn to take on Mackinac Island.