Mackinac Island Weekend Adventure 
One of the Top 10 Islands in the World

 

As the country awakens from the COVID-19 slumber we all need to find a Flying Adventure.

Come Join the COPA North East Region Fly-In at 

Mackinac Island Michigan

The first thing you will notice when you step foot onto this beautiful Island is the absence of automobiles. (Some find this ironic, seeing how Michigan revolutionized the world with the automobile.) Initiated in 1898, this ban on automobiles has resulted in clean, noise-free air and a quaint, village ambiance filled with the soft clopping of horses. Just like yesteryear, you’ll get around by foot, bike, horseback or horse-drawn carriage.

The COPA Registration fee is $105 per person. We will dine together every night as a group. However, the cost is not included in the package. Since all group dinners are in Grand Hotel venues you are able to charge them to your room.

We have arranged for to stay at the historic Grand Hotel. This a stunning facility built in 1887 has 397 rooms and no two are alike The Grand was the location that the 1980 movie "Somewhere in Time" staring Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve, was filmed. The room rate is $363, $463 or $663 per room (plus taxes & fee).  The registration form link is on the "Accommodation" tab.It is a fillable form, but you must print it out then mail, fax or email the registration form to the hotel to book your room. The hotel does not accept call-in reservations for groups such as ours. Reserve early, rooms book quickly at this premier hotel.

Remember you must mail, fax or email the room registration form to the

Grand Hotel

The registration form is found on the accommodations tab.

There is no telephone and on-line registration at this time.

     The event formally starts on Friday. But only getting one full day on the island is just not enough. For an extra day on the island be an Early Bird and arrive on Thursday afternoon.  

You will land at: Mackinac Island Airport KMCD.

Note: There is NO FUEL at KMCD.  Fuel is available at Mackinac County Airport (83D) about 5NM west, north west. Bring your own tie downs.  Late arrivals may have to park in the grass.

Once you land, you can easily arrange for transportation to the Grand Hotel.  The Airport Attendant will call the horse drawn taxi for you.  The cost is $8-9 cash each one way. Bring enough cash for the taxis.

2019 Mackinac Island Participants

2018 Mackinac Island Participants

 

This is the Ninth year COPA has held a Mackinac Island Fly-In (Mack IX). Each year nearly half of the participants are coming for the first time. So be sure to introduce yourselves to new faces.

 

If you have name tags from prior events please wear them.

THURSDAY EVENT

Those arriving on Thursday we will have a group dinner at the Jockey Club Restaurant at 6:30 pm. Ask for the COPA table.

The Jockey Club is just across the street from the Grand Hotel.  

 

Friday at 6 pm we officially open the event with a reception in the Cupola Bar on the 6th floor of the Grand Hotel. Here we will renew acquaintances with old friends and meet new friends. This will be a cash bar. Follow the hotel dress code.

At 7pm we will board our horse drawn taxi and depart for the Chalet in the Woods.  The dinner and libations will be paid individually. However, the round trip taxi fare to the Woods and return is included in your registration fee. However, please DO tip the taxi driver.

 

If you land late on Friday, between 6-6:30pm, I suggest to have the Taxi bring you and your luggage directly to the Woods Restaurant. It will take 1 - 1 1/2 hours to go from the airport to the hotel and back to the Woods. The Woods is closer to the airport than the hotel.

If you do go directly to the Woods we need to call the hotel to tell them you are on the island so they do not release your room.

We have intentionally left Saturday is free of scheduled activities so that you are able to explore this unique island resort. Rent a bike and ride the 8 miles around the island, or visit the historic fort that was captured by the British in the war of 1812 or just walk around the quaint town and enjoy their trademark fudge and the ambiance of this step back in time. You can look at the Local Activities tab for a list of things to do on the island compiled by Mackinac Island residents and COPA members Don Goeckel and Diane Weidner.

SATURDAY EVENT

Saturday evening we will meet for cocktails at the Geranium Bar in the Grand Hotel from 5:30-6:30pm. This is a cash bar. The group photo will be promptly at 6:40pm on the front steps of the hotel. During cocktails the photographer will be on the front porch for private pictures if you should wish to slip out for a private photo for your scrap book. Immediately following the group photo will be our farewell dinner. Dinner and libations will be paid for individually.

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We encourage you to arrive Thursday.

Arriving Friday only gives you one full day on this unique island which is truly not enough

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You do not want to miss this opportunity to visit Mackinac Island for an enjoyable and relaxing weekend in the most beautiful and unique place.

This will be a weekend to Remember!

Harry and Marianne Neel, Don Goeckel and Diane Weidner 

2021 Mackinac Chairpersons