Hey TC

What a weekend! Mother's Day brunches were booked solid across both peninsulas, the farmers market was packed for week two, and the TC Trail Running Festival sent nearly a thousand runners through Pere Marquette Forest on Saturday. If you did the 100K, we respect you. If you did the 5K, we also respect you. If you spent Mother's Day at Moondance Flower Farm building bouquets in the fields on Old Mission, you probably won the weekend.

Morel season is officially here. The National Morel Mushroom Festival is this week in Boyne City. TC Fashion Weekend takes over Front Street. And the wineries are wide open with spring pours and live music. Here's your week.

This week in TC (May 13-18)

🍄 National Morel Mushroom Festival | Boyne City | May 14–17
The 66th annual. Boyne City goes full mushroom for four days straight: competitive morel hunts, a Taste of Morels event where local chefs cook morel-infused dishes and compete for top honors, live music, a carnival, arts and crafts, farmers market, seminars, and a Wine & Dine dinner at the Beach House Restaurant. If you've never hunted morels, this is your excuse to start. And if you've been hunting for years, you already have this on the calendar. Boyne City is an hour from TC and worth every mile. $10 admission. Full schedule at bcmorelfestival.com.

👗 TC Fashion Weekend | May 15–17 | Front Row Centre, 121 E Front St
Friday (May 15): Sustainable Fashion Show. Doors at 6pm, show at 7:30. Ten local vendors walk curated collections of vintage, thrifted, and handmade clothing. Light appetizers, cash bar. Dress up and show off your own style. Tickets at mynorthtickets.com.

Saturday (May 16): Sustainable Mega Market. Free and open to the public, 11am to 6pm. Shop the looks from the runway plus collections from 15+ vendors. Mocktail bar by Mixing Muse, live music by Agnes Su, aura photography by Open Aura.

Sunday (May 17): Free Clothing Swap at slip.vintage, 11am to 2pm. Bring clothes, take clothes, refresh your closet. Everyone's welcome whether you bring something or not.

This whole weekend was built by three local women (Katie Asher of Slip Vintage, Grace Guba, and Lizzie Lane) who believe your closet doesn't need to cost the planet.

🎨 NW Michigan Arts & Culture Summit | May 14–15 | Downtown TC
Two days of keynotes, workshops, live performances, and networking for creatives across the region. The theme is "Against the Current," and it's designed for artists, culture bearers, and anyone who believes art matters. If you work in or around the creative scene in Northern Michigan, this is worth showing up for. Register at nwmiarts.org.

🛒 Sara Hardy Farmers Market | Saturday, 7:30am–12pm
Week three. You know the drill. Lot B at Cass & Grandview. Show up early. The good stuff goes fast.

🌿 Forest to Fork: A Springtime Gathering | May 14–17 | Region-wide
The inaugural Forest to Fork is a four-day culinary event produced by Traverse City Tourism featuring foraging excursions, vineyard walks, cooking classes, and seasonal dinners across more than a dozen venues. This is the spring extension of TC Food & Wine, and the lineup is stacked: a wild food dinner experience, morel and ramp-focused menus, vineyard walks during bud break, edible garden demos, and a preview of Bohemian Cellars, a new Leelanau vineyard opening later this year. Highlights include a morels-in-season Old World/New World wine tasting at Chateau Grand Traverse ($98), a spring vineyard walk and tasting at Aurora Cellars ($56), and guided food and wine pairings at Dune Bird Winery. Full lineup and tickets at traversecity.com/food-wine/events/forest-to-fork. The Little FleetTraverse City Ticker

🍷 Forager's Hike at Bel Lago | Saturday, May 17
Part of the Forest to Fork series. Head to Bel Lago's North Farm on the Leelanau Peninsula for a guided forager's hike through the vineyard and surrounding woods. Bel Lago sits on a hilltop overlooking Lake Leelanau with views that don't quit, and this time of year the property is waking up. Expect spring wildflowers, early vineyard growth, and whatever the foraging guides uncover. Tickets through the TC Food & Wine site.

🧘 Flow & Sip Yoga at Lakes and Grapes | Thursday, May 14, 6pm
An in-store yoga experience in partnership with Dharamsala TC, designed to move, unwind, and connect, followed by a drink and private shopping inside the store. Yoga, a glass of something good, and first dibs on the new summer collection. 430 E Front St. Check @lakesandgrapes for details. Pacificbeachcoalition

🍺 The Deck Opens at North Peak | Saturday, May 16
Patio season is officially here. North Peak Brewing is opening The Deck for the season this Saturday. If you've done a summer in TC, you know The Deck at North Peak is one of the best outdoor spots downtown. Cold beer, solid food, and a patio that fills up fast on warm evenings. Get there early. 400 W Front St.

🥾 Leelanau Conservancy Hike Club | Sunday, May 17, 2–5pm
The LC Collective Hike Club is heading out for a guided afternoon hike at one of the Conservancy's 30 natural areas. Family-friendly, all levels, led by experienced docents who know the land better than anyone. Spring wildflowers are popping, the forests are lush, and this is one of the best free things you can do on a Sunday in Leelanau. Check leelanauconservancy.org/events for the specific location and to sign up.

🌿 Edible Container Garden Demonstration | Thursday, May 14, 5:15pm - 6:30pm
Join us in our Barrel Room to get expert advice from Matthew Ross, Executive Director of the Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park, to create an impactful container garden with the added benefit of edible plants at your fingertips. From your standard herbs to ephemeral greens, explore the possibilities of a wide range of edible ornamental combinations that will captivate your eyes and satiate your hunger. After the class you’ll have the knowledge needed to design your very own edible garden at home.

Wine, hard cider, and light appetizers – incorporated with ingredients of the season – will be available. Tickets include the workshop, one drink and light appetizers.

🎨 Art Classes | Tinker Studio
Friday, May 15th | Watercolor: Spring Birds & Branches
Saturday, May 16th | Acrylic & Mixed Media: In the Garden

Rove Winery on Leelanau
Luke Woltanski | Friday, May 15th at 5pm-8pm

Chateau Grand Traverse on Old Mission
Ben Richey | Thursday, May 14th at 5pm - 8pm
Barley Priest | Saturday, May 15th at 5pm - 8pm

Left Foot Charley
Nick Veine | Friday, May 15th at 5pm - 7pm

Seven Hills
Jeff Linsell | Saturday, May 15th at 7pm

TART Trail: Perfect shape. Twelve paved miles from TC to Acme. Your no-excuses ride.

VASA Singletrack: Drying out and riding well. Check Trailforks before you go but conditions have been solid. The 25K loop is calling.

Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail: Twenty paved miles through the National Lakeshore. Empire to Glen Arbor and back. This is the bucket-list ride if you haven't done it yet.

Handpicked For You:

🍄 Morel season is peaking. If you haven't gone out yet, this week is the week. Head south toward Mesick or Cadillac, look under dead elms and poplars, bring a mesh bag, and don't tell anyone your spot.

🍽️ Three Pigs Korean BBQ in the Warehouse District is still the new spot worth trying. Karaoke rooms. Photo booth. Food from a guy who spent a decade cooking in Korea.

🦪 Umbo watch continues. Sarah Welch and Cameron Rolka's oyster bar on East Front Street is getting closer. Follow their pop-up announcements.

🍷 Traverse City Uncorked wraps this week if you haven't done your passport yet. Hit five wineries, earn socks. traversecity.com/traverse-city-uncorked

🎬 Colibri is coming. Chef Guillaume Hazaël-Massieux is opening a wine bar in the Commongrounds building on Eighth Street this spring. If you remember him from his first run in TC, you know this is a big deal.

Diversions:

The best reads we came across this week. Not all local. All worth your time.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Eppstein House
Entire home in Galesburg, Michigan
6 guests | 3 Bedrooms | 4 Beds | 2 Baths

Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the Eppstein House is a rare architectural gem nestled in the same region as Wright’s Meyer May House in Grand Rapids, the Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, and the charming beach town of South Haven. This is a unique opportunity to experience an extraordinary home—yours to enjoy for a few unforgettable days.

This meticulously restored mid-century modern home is beautifully furnished and thoughtfully decorated with art, collectibles, architecture books, magazines, a record player, and a selection of DVDs. Restoration of the Eppstein House began in the fall of 2016 and was completed in December 2017, bringing new life to this Frank Lloyd Wright-designed gem.

The bathrooms have been updated, and each room features modern climate control for year-round comfort. A cozy wood stove warms the family room, while fresh bed linens, plush towels, and high-speed Wi-Fi add to the home’s convenience.

Furnishings stay true to Wright’s original vision, including his own dining table design and additional furniture and artwork from the same period. Modern upgrades blend seamlessly with the home’s historic character—plumbing and electrical systems have been brought up to current standards, and on-demand hot water ensures comfort throughout your stay.

The kitchen, though period in appearance, is fully functional with a quiet Bosch dishwasher and a microwave. Please note that the two smaller refrigerators do not provide adequate freezer space.

In the family room, enjoy the vintage record player and curated vinyl collection, or relax with Frank Lloyd Wright-themed and other DVDs on a small screen.

The Eppstein House has been featured in over 150 publications worldwide—including The New York Times, Dwell, Architectural Digest, Mansion Global, ArchDaily, Trystcraft, and more—highlighting its global architectural significance. It is proudly listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and with the Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy as part of The Acres community.

See you on the Bay
Summer light in the Meadow Cabin

Photo: @parcelfriends

Peninsula Run Company is a founding sponsor of Hey TC.

Peninsula Run Company offers guided tours led by seasoned locals passionate about sharing the beauty of the region. From scenic lakeshore routes to hidden trails and local favorites, this is more than just a run; it is a way to experience the region like a local.  Book a tour at peninsularuncompany.com