August 23 - August 25
 
The Mackinac Island Fudge Festival celebrates the island's most famous treat and features a number of fudge-related, fun, family events!
 
Activities include fudge making demonstrations, The Great Turtle Slow Bike Ride, fudge inspired dinners and cocktails, the Pioneer Sugar Sack Relay Race, outdoor movie, family concerts, Fudge and Wine Tasting, Fudge Ball at Stonecliffe with live music and strolling food stations, a family Fudge Egg Hunt on Saturday morning in Marquette Park, Three Men and a Tenor concert!
 
New this year is the first annual Fudge Festival Cornhole Tournament at Mission Point Resort.

Spend the day throwing bags on the beautiful Great Lawn at Mission Point. There is a professional division and a social division.  

Walk Up Registration begins Saturday at 11am and you can register on line at mackinacisland.org.  Mackinac Island Tourism and Rock 105 / 95.5 and Black Diamond Broadcasting are excited to provide $2,500 in cash prizes for the top 3-teams in each division.
 

Karlyn Hawkins of Ellsworth is the winner of 

GET AWAY- YOUR WAY contest with Allegiant Air 

PRIZE

WIN ROUNDTRIP NON-STOP AIR TRAVEL 

on ALLEGIANT AIR for two from Cherry Capital Airport

(TVC) TRAVERSE CITY to (PGD) FORT MYERS / PUNTA GORDA

INCLUDES HOTEL & $100 SPENDING CASH

Thursday Leave to Sunday Return Travel only

Must depart by May 8 2020 -  Expires May 11, 2020

PLAY ON ROCK 105 / 95.5

Listen for the CUE of when to call

TEXT "ALLEGIANT" to 888-955-1051

Include your name, full mailing address,

and email

ROCK 105 LINK DETAILS

Expanded PirateFest Aug 8-11 Boyne City's 2nd Annual PirateFest will be held next week with lots of crazy fun. The greatly expanded schedule includes a pirate invasion, parade, raft ride, The Battle of the Boyne, a beer and wine tent with entertainment, a classic pirate movie, costume contests, a teen dance and the Faygoland Kids Area and more. Here's their website, a flier and the full schedule:

> Thursday, Arrrgust 8

7-11 p.m. - Pre-Fest Parrrty at The Foundry Bar & Grill, East Jordan.

> Friday, Arrrgust 9

6:30 p.m. - The Invasion: Pirates invade Treasure Town, by way of a massive flotilla. Bear witness behind Sunset Park in Boyne City as the pirates begin their search for the treasure.

7-9 p.m. - Experience DJs in the Entertainment Tent, Veterans Park. Beverages from Shorts Brewery and Mackinaw Trail Winery. Proceeds benefit Char-Em United Way.

9:30 p.m. - Family Movie Night: The Princess Bride in the Entertainment Tent. "It's inconceivable." Bring a camp chair or throw down a blanket.

> Saturday, Arrrgust 10

10 a.m. - PirateFest Parade: Lake Street route will begin in SOBO and ends at Veterans Park.

11 a.m.-6 p.m. - FaygoLand Kids Area in Old City Park: Petting zoo, bounce house, Bookmobile, BC Rocks treasure hunt, kids crafts, live music, face painting and more.

11 a.m.-6 p.m. - Michigan Highlander Games: In the Open Space on North Lake Street. Spectators welcome to watch the strongest pirates of them all.

12-3 p.m. - Haunted Pirate River Ride: Explore the Boyne River in an unforgettable raft ride bound to make the whole family shiver their timbers. Sponsored by Jordan Valley Outfitters.

12-9 p.m. - Boyne City Taproom Busker Stage. Jugglers, sword swallowers and performers for all ages will entertain families.

12-9 p.m. - Entertainment Tent: Live entertainment and beverages all day

12-9 p.m. - Pirates, mermaids and buskers all day throughout Boyne City. Tommy Tropic's Busker Mania is a family must-see fer sure.

1 p.m. - Kids Costume Parade: in Old City Park, followed by Kids Costume Contest.

3 p.m. - The Battle of Boyne River: The townsfolk gather in Old City Park and lead a march to drive the pirates out, but not before a zany reenactment of The Famous Battle of The Boyne River.

7 p.m. - Adult Costume Contest in the Entertainment Tent.

9-11 p.m. - Teen Dance Party in the Entertainment Tent. Teens lay claim to the tent fer a parrrty of their own. Come as ye arrr, or come as a pirate.

9-11 p.m. - Stiggs Brewery After Party & Pirate Freak Show.

> Sunday, Arrgust 11th

10 a.m.-12 p.m. - Sunday Brunch at Water Street Cafe. Welcome, all ye landlubbers. Let's gather to enjoy one last meal with all the pirates together - then bid them farewell.

> VOLUNTEERS are needed Friday night and Saturday from 11-6. Call Cindi at 231-675-0115 if you can help out by taking a two-hour shift.

Black Diamond Broadcasting is proud to be the new presenting music sponsor for 2019 AuSable River Festival, held in Grayling during last week of July.  Bring your family for a week of events celebrating the AuSable River International Canoe Marathon.

Thursday - - July 25th features northern Michigan locals, A BRIGHTER BLOOM and OH BROTHER BIG SISTER beginning at 8:00pm.  Stage sponsored by 98.5 UPS Classic Hits WUPS

Friday - - July 26th will rock your country socks, with STEVE ARMSTRONG & the 25 cent BEER BAND also taking stage at 8:00pm.  Stage sponsored by Big Country 102.9 WWMK

Saturday - - July 27th fills the music stage with three exciting bands, all day long!

12:00 Noon - -  features FULL TILT from Oakland County - stage sponsor ROCK 105 / 95.5 WGFM

3:00  - - Parade Break

4:15  - - THE INSIDERS Tom Petty Tribute Band -  stage sponsor CLASSIC ROCK the BEAR 98.5 / 95.3 WGFN

8:00 till Midnight - - Closes the festival out with THE SINCLAIRS BAND - stage sponsor 98.5 UPS Classic Hits WUPS

There will be Music for every taste with many performing artists over three days, at the AuSable River Festival and Canoe Marathon.  Downtown beautiful Grayling - on Main Street.

Our newest partners  CHERRY CAPITAL AIRPORT and ELITE AIRWAYS are now offering non-stop flight service from Traverse City TVC to Sarasota Bardenton SRQ beginning mid March 2019.  This lets us begin the new year by offering our valued listeners a couple of great getaway contests!  And all with the ease of flying locally, from Snow to Sand, non-stop! 

Omelette & Guys Winter Escape on Classic Rock the BEAR

The BIG Escape on 1029 Big Country

Check out Elite Airways at Cherry Capital Airport TVC

MAC-fm now offers Smooth Sailing sounds!  106.3 fm is a unique blend of soft rock paired with the smoothest hits from the 70s and 80s. You’ll hear the most popular, refreshing tunes from superstars such as Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles and Steely Dan, plus many soft favorites rarely heard on radio these days – from artists like Michael McDonald, Air Supply, Christopher Cross, Ambrosia and many other fun and relaxing favorites.

.
MAC-fm plays a one-of-a-kind blend of timeless favorites while much of Northern Michigan is at work, providing a perfect stress-free environment. MAC-fm's well balanced mix provides a relaxing soundtrack for listening at home and on the go, all day and all night. You’ll hear the difference as MAC-fm bridges the gap between everyday run-of-the- mill radio stations and a refreshingly smooth blend of your favorites! MAC-fm is no ordinary radio station – it’s extraordinary audio entertainment for Northern Michigan!

MAC-fm starts your weekday with longtime area ratings darlings... The Bob & Tom Show, who got their start in radio in Petoskey, Michigan. They’ve been honored five times as the top radio personalities in the United States by the National Association of Broadcasters.

In 2015, 98.5 UPS, Black Diamond Broadcasting, was awarded the Official Broadcast Rights to the ARCM.  Our objective was to Increase public exposure of the event and the region. Also, to increase the economic benefit of businesses throughout the Au Sable River Valley, not only during the week of The Marathon, but throughout the year by utilizing public exposure generated by The Marathon as a vehicle to highlight the Au Sable River Valley as a tourism destination.  

In order to achieve this, and create awareness of the race across Michigan and surrounding states, we formed a Radio Network, which some said would never happen.  To date, we have between 20 – 25 radio affiliates each year carrying the race updates every hour, from start to finish.  Three years later we have record crowds, which has brought tremendous economic growth in Grayling, Oscoda, and the Au Sable River Valley, during race week. This is due in large part to the strength of 98.5 UPS, and the ARCM Radio Network. Every year more and more people across our state are made aware of the ARCM race, and all the activities during race week, because of the radio network Black Diamond Broadcasting created and manages. 

As a result of our success, last year the AuSable River International Canoe Marathon (ARICM) committee, committed to a long-term agreement with Black Diamond Broadcasting. 98.5 WUPS is the Flagship station of the ARICM radio network, and will remain the “Official Station”, providing start to finish coverage of the race, for years to come. In addition, the committee also reached a long-term agreement with Larry Roberts, “The Voice of the Marathon”, and he will be heard exclusively on 98.5 UPS.

Mike Chires (co-owner of Black Diamond Broadcasting), commented “It is amazing the progress we’ve made in only three years. We conceived and created the ARCM Radio Network, providing race coverage throughout a large area of Michigan. We’ve invested in equipment to provide listeners much better quality sound than in years past. We’ve helped develop corporate sponsorships. We’ve supported numerous paddling teams, and this year we’ve invested even more to enrich the fan experience. Each year we listen to fans suggestions on how we can improve our radio coverage. People have asked us to provide more race coverage to the middle and back of the pack. To accomplish this, for the first time ever, we are adding a second broadcast team, and a third update to almost every hour of race coverage. This third break will be dedicated to providing updates on the middle, and back of the pack padding teams. We were asked to provide coverage on teams outside of the top 30, and we are addressing this with a second broadcast team that will focus entirely on teams outside of the top 30. Every year we strive to provide better coverage, and every year so far, we have accomplished our goal. We are proud of the progress we’ve made, and extremely excited about our future.”

In addition to our official race coverage with Larry Roberts and John Sullivan, this year, Black Diamond Broadcasting is the AuSable River Festival “Music Sponsor”.

We have a great lineup of bands playing, some of which have played Soaring Eagle and other major venues (folk, country, classic hits, rock and classic rock). 

“ROCK 105 & 95.5” ANNOUNCES ON-AIR LINE-UP TWEAKS

Black Diamond Broadcasting is excited to announce on-air changes for Rock 105 & 95.5, northern Michigan’s leading Rock station and a market leader among northern Michigan residents age 25-54.  The changes will take effect on April 1, 2019.

We are pleased to announce the addition of Roxanne Steele to mid days (10am – 3pm) on Rock 105 & 95.5.  Roxanne’s body of work includes hosting various formats in Chicago and Detroit, and most recently with WYCD, Nash-FM in Detroit, where she was also a finalist for this year's ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC (ACM) Broadcast Awards for Major Market Personality of the Year.  But don’t be fooled, Roxanne is a rocker at heart, with a passion for northern Michigan and for Rock 105 & 95.5.

Nate “Smitty” Smith will be leaving his familiar afternoon slot on Rock 105 & 95.5 to pursue a personal opportunity outside of broadcasting.  While Smitty will be missed from his home for the past 12-years as the afternoon host of Rock 105 & 95.5, he will still be heard on the station as a special features host.

Effective April 1, Dave Doran will return to the northern Michigan air waves as the new host of afternoons (3pm-7pm) on Rock 105 & 95.5.  Dave is a Traverse City guy who was previously heard as a morning host on WKLT and afternoons on WTCM.  If you have been in the Detroit area during the past decade, you may have heard him on WCSX and WRIF in Detroit.  Dave is an accomplished broadcaster and Black Diamond is excited to bring him back home where he belongs.

“Cartman in the Morning”, Traverse City market’s number-one rated morning show, will continue to start listener’s mornings and get them ready to take on the day with a Rock 105 & 95.5 favorite!

“CLASSIC ROCK THE BEAR” SOUNDS OFF WITH ON-AIR FINE TUNING 

Black Diamond Broadcasting is pleased to announce some on-air changes on Classic Rock the Bear, northern Michigan’s favorite destination for Classic Rock, effective April 1, 2019.

“Mornings with Omelette and Guy Dark” starts your day on Classic Rock the BEAR, followed by familiar afternoon host, Jay Roberts, who will be moving from afternoons to mid-days (10am – 3pm) effective April 1^st.  Jay will host your day time listening, whether in the car, at home or at work. 

Kim Carson will take over afternoons (3pm – 7pm) on The BEAR.  Kim was recently selected by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters as “Morning Radio Personality of the Year”, and was also previously named by the Detroit News as “Best Evening Radio Personality”.  Kim is also an author and serves as an inspirational feature writer for “Women’s Lifestyle Magazines”.  Kim will entertain listeners with her insightful wit and her passion for Classic Rock and northern Michigan.

NASCAR Steve will be leaving his mid day air-shift to focus more time on his responsibilities as our valued  “Promotions Director” for all Black Diamond stations.  NASCAR Steve will continue to be heard during the weekends on Classic Rock the BEAR and ROCK 105, as well as continue to provide his FAST LANE NASCAR reports exclusively on Black Diamond stations.

Black Diamond Broadcasting is a northern Michigan based, full service media company, owning and operating ten radio stations serving central and northern Michigan; a full service digital advertising solutions provider, Black Diamond Digital Solutions; and the Michigan employment site, Michigan4Hire.org.  Among Black Diamond’s radio stations are 102.9 Big Country, Rock 105 & 95.5, Classic Rock the Bear 98.1 & 95.3, Classic Hits 98.5 WUPS, Big Country Gold 1240 AM & 100.7 FM, MAC-FM 106.3 and 92.1 The Twister.  Black Diamond is owned and operated by life-long Michigan residents, Mike Chires and Norm McKee.

Employers - Open Jobs - Employees  - Free Professional Headshots - Free Resume Reviews - On Sight Interviews - Career Education

Click on image for full details  - https://michiganforhire.org/career-fair/

We’re pleased to announce that Guy Dark will be joining “Classic Rock the BEAR” as Omelette’s Co-Host.  He will also serve as Assistant Program Director for WGFN 98.1 / WWSS 95.3 The BEAR .

Guy has been at WWWX in Appleton-Oshkosh, Wisconsin for nearly 17 years and has recently been doing weekends at WLUM-FM in Milwaukee.  Over the years, Guy has also held programming positions in Reno, Nevada and Fargo, North Dakota.

Guy has recently arrived in Traverse City during the holidays and will debut on Omelette Mornings show with Omelette on January 7th.

We’re excited for Guy to join Team Black Diamond - - - looking forward to his many years of radio experience and his creativity in helping to elevate "Classic Rock the BEAR" throughout northern Michigan.

Great jobs in Michigan.  We are connecting people and employers.  

Offering a free 30 day listing to employers.  Offering to post your resume for job seekers.  Radio mention with business membership.   

"If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you."  -the state motto.  If you seek a pleasant career... check out MichiganForHire.org

THE TWELVE DOTS OF CHRISTMAS

- SHARE THE BEAR

Runs Dec. 6th thru Dec. 21st  (weekdays)

Win an Amazon Echo Dot (new 3rd Gen. with amazing sound) 12 giveaways!

 “ALEXA - play W-G-F-N”

to stream your FAV.. Classic Rock The BEAR!

TO ENTER:

Just take a photo of yourself with any of your favorite Rock Memorabilia from "The Good Old Days" - old photos attending concerts, concert tee-shirts, ticket stubs, posters, old album covers you still own etc...

POST IT to your Facebook then TAG US

(@ClassicRockTheBearNorthernMichigan) The BEAR

Each day we'll randomly draw one winner - it's that simple!

No purchase necessary!  RULES LINK

POSTED WINNERS please email us with your Mobile Phone and full name

at Social@blackdiamondbroadcasting.com.

You may collect your Amazon Echo Dot at our Traverse City office

between 9a-5p weekdays with your photo I.D. 514 Munson Ave., TC 49686.

In partnership with Northern Michigan Toyota Dealers, and to benefit local Salvation Army sites... We are collecting new blankets, pillows, sheets and towels to bring comfort to those in need.  Help us fill the bed of a Toyota Tundra pickup at these locations: Fernelious Toyota in Cheboygan, Serra Toyota in Traverse City and Fox Motors in Cadillac.  Drop your donation by December 1, 2018.  Register for a chance to win a $100 Gas Card while your there.  Your generoisty is appreciated when you help to Blanket the North!

Learn how to grow your business by reaching your potential customers in today’s ever-changing world. We invite you to a marketing workshop for local businesses. At Black Diamond Broadcasting we understand your time is valuable, to thank you for attending each business will be entered to win $500…..

                           select image below to register

Great insight by Fred Jacobs at Jacobs Media on why there is a lack of interest in NEW music, but continued interest in Classic Hits.  Read the full article Who Cares About New Music?

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If you're a Business Owner....what are you waiting for?  Digital Marketing is the wave of the future....don't get left behind the competition.

Memorial Day Events in Northern Michigan

Tap on Heart

Memorial Day Events in Central Michigan

Tap on Star

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We are very proud to announce a recent Merit Award Recognition that WTWS 92.1 The Twister is being honored with.  

This recognition is from Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB) for the 2017 Annual Broadcast of Excellence Awards to be held on March 7, 2018 in Lansing, Michigan.

The award category is "Play-by-Play Sports Broadcasting" in Market 4.  It honors the announcing duo of Greg Kauffman and Steve Claussen for their excellence in sports coverage of 2017 Houghton Lake HS Varsity Football.

GREG KAUFFMAN

STEVE CLAUSSEN

Listen to our highlight MP3 LINK HERE - produced by Steve Claussen - for a glimpse of Friday night football action! 

This MAB Merit Honor is a point-of-pride for the HL Bobcat team, the Houghton Lake community,  Greg and Steve, as well as the weekly production team hidden back at the Black Diamond Broadcasting studios.  Congratulations everyone!

Black Diamond Broadcasting is proud to be a Platinum Sponsor of the Walk 4 Warmth 2018 campaign to raise funds for northern Michigan residents in need.  Along with Consumer Energy and United Way of Cheboygan, this is a worthy program that YOU can assist with in many ways.  

1. Be a Walker  

2. Pledge Funds for a Walker  

3. Sponsorship with your Business  

4. Donate online  

5. Volunteer with United Way of Cheboygan on February 17th

Northern Michigan Toyota dealers along with the Salvation Army, and Black Diamond Broadcasting station listeners have once again warmed the hearts of Michigan residents in need.  Thank-You to everyone involved!  

There's a new member in our Black Diamond Broadcasting family.  We think you'll like our big boy -.

106.3 Mac FM.   We're playing the greatest hits of the 70's and 80's.  Why not give MAC a test trial?   1063MACfm.com  And HERE's WHY... we've replaced WQEZ fm.

https://qz.com/1094963/radio-survived-the-tape-cd-and-ipod-in-the-age-of-spotify-its-more-popular-than-ever/

Why Advertise on Radio?  It might just surprise you... this article by National Association of Broadcasters gives you some darn good reasons... ten of them.

http://radioadvertisingfacts.com/the-facts/10-good-reasons-to-advertise-on-radio/