ESCANABA, Mich. (Michigan Back Roads) – Every autumn, from mid-August through the third week of September, monarch butterflies gather at Peninsula Point on the Stonington Peninsula, southeast of Escanaba and Gladstone. They rest in cedar trees until favorable winds allow them to continue their migration toward Wisconsin’s Door County Peninsula and, eventually, their wintering grounds in the mountains of central Mexico.

Visitors can also climb the 40-foot tower of the historic Peninsula Point Lighthouse. The keeper’s quarters were destroyed by fire in 1959, but the brick tower remains.

If you want to see the migration but cannot make it to the Upper Peninsula, consider visiting Michigan’s Sunrise Side. Monarchs also gather near the lighthouse at Tawas Point. Additional information is available through the Tawas Bay Getaway.

Here are a few Labor Day weekend events:

THOMPSONVILLE — Iron Fish Distillery’s 10-Year Anniversary Celebration — Sept. 3–7

ROCK — Boogie Fest Too — Sept. 4–6 — Live music and camping; BYOB
Camping is available Sept. 3–7. Friday’s ATV ride begins with registration at 11 a.m., followed by a blessing of the ATVs, Jeeps and trucks. A costume contest will be held Saturday.

MANTON — Manton Area Harvest Festival — Sept. 4–7

LEXINGTON — Thumbfest — Sept. 5

LANSING — Michigan Chicken Wing Festival — Adado Riverfront Park — Sept. 5–6

TAWAS CITY — 35th Annual Labor Day Weekend Arts and Craft Show — Sept. 5–6

WATERS — Thunder Over Waters — Sept. 6 — Downtown Waters

HOUGHTON LAKE — Bob the Turtle’s “World Tour” — Houghton Lake Labor Day Weekend Craft Show — Sept. 4–6