North Country Trail Association

Celebration

The North Country Trail community is gathering for 2024 Celebration from August 21-25 in St. Ignace, Michigan to learn new skills, become inspired, and of course, hike!

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The North Country Trail Association works with one or a few local Chapters to host Celebration in a different location each year. This is a multi-day event that offers opportunities to explore the North Country National Scenic Trail in unique locations. Celebration allows you to network with trail enthusiasts from North Dakota to Vermont and beyond, attend skills workshops and volunteer training, and participate in engaging evening presentations. Together, let’s celebrate everything that makes our Trail Community special.

Schedule

View this PDF version of the 2024 Celebration Schedule. There may be hikes or workshops added to accommodate more guests. Any additions or changes will be reflected here ASAP.

FAQ

View this PDF version of 2024 Celebration Frequently Asked Questions. Please double check this before traveling to the event, in case of additions or changes. Any updates will be reflected here ASAP.

Keynote Speaker

Stacy Bare is a husband and father, and loves playing outside, whether its biking, hiking, paddling, or skiing. He would really like to surf. He is currently the Executive Director of Friends of Grand Rapids Parks in Michigan. He served in the Army, was stationed in Germany, and spent time in Bosnia, Iraq, Angola, and Abkhazia. Two of those four countries he served in as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) tech. He has climbed in Angola, led the first recorded expedition to ski the tallest mountain in Iraq, and has skied in Kyrgyzstan, Japan, and Afghanistan. He has made some films, won some awards, done some research on the power of the outdoors, figure skated in elementary school, and written for a few outdoorsy publications. He is now most committed to ensuring everyone in Grand Rapids has access to the transformative power of nature through increasing the relevancy of parks, building more trails, planting more trees, and improving the health of urban forests. He has a Bachelors in Philosophy from the University of Mississippi, and a Masters in City Planning / Urban Design from the University of Pennsylvania.

Local Attractions
  • Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie
  • “Narnia Trail” east of Cedarville by Bush Bay
  • Horseshoe Bay Wilderness / Foley Creek
  • Headlands International Dark Sky Park
  • Mackinaw Historical Society Heritage Village
  • Fort Michilimackinac
  • Castle Rock
  • The Mystery Spot
  • The Deer Ranch
  • Garlyn Zoo
  • Oswalds Bear Ranch
  • Iroquois Point Lighthouse
  • Whitefish Point Lighthouse / Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum
  • Mill Creek State Park
  • Gros Cap Trail at St. Ignace USFS Ranger Station
  • St. Ignace Historical Walking Tour
  • Round Island Preserve near Brimley
  • Go swimming or relax on the beach at the dunes on US-2
  • Valley Camp Museum Ship
  • Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum
  • Mackinac Island Scavenger Hunt. Visit the island and get pictures of the following. Unique perspectives get more points! Post the photos to Facebook or Instagram, and tag @northcountrytrail, #northcountrytrail, and #nctacelebration.
    • Arch Rock
    • A person dressed as a 1812 British Soldier
    • Skull Cave
    • The Crack in the Island
    • Fort Holms
    • Sugar Loaf
    • Lookout Point
    • Bark Chapel
    • The Horse Drawn Hearse in the Surrey Hill Carriage Museum
    • The “Somewhere In Time” Gazebo Creative

2024 Sponsors

 

Header photo by Mary Mudge