Traverse City, Michigan, is one of the top vacation destinations in America, regardless of which season you visit. In the fall, the area transitions from a beautiful scenic venue into a snow covered winter playground. The city boasts a rich history that began over 150 years ago. Traverse City had humble beginnings as a lumber producing settlement. The area then quickly took off to become a trading and business hub for the region. Now the city has over 14,000 residents and more than 140,000 people in the metro area as a whole.
If you're looking for a getaway with a myriad of fun things to do, then Traverse City is the ultimate destination for you. You’ll love the blend of natural beauty and modern amenities. As soon as you arrive, breathing vistas of Grand Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan welcome you. Outdoor lovers will enjoy activities like snowmobiling on the local trails, snowshoeing and Nordic skiing through the wilderness, ice fishing on the frozen bodies of water, and even downhill skiing at local resorts. If the indoors are more your speed, you’ll find that the city has a vibrant nightlife as well as many high quality restaurants, shops, and indoor attractions. A great way to get the lay of the land and to meet some of the friendly locals is by participating in the local events like Snow and Suds.
This year Suds and Snow will be celebrating their 10th anniversary in the Traverse City event scene. Each year this event brings thousands of people into the community for beer, fun and celebrating the season. This adults-only event (21+) will feature a selection of 22 different beer vendors, who will have a wide variety of delicious beverages to try. The scene is electric with live music being played on two stages throughout the event. If you get hungry, food vendors will be serving up a wide selection of meals. Bring some warmth and fun to your winter and head to Traverse City for the one-of-a-kind, Suds and Snow. ResortsandLodges.com got the chance to interview Troy Daily, Excutive Director of Suds and Snow, to talk about the event.
RAL: Tell me a little bit about the event.
TD: This is the 10th year anniversary. My team and I took the event over in late 2014 and operated our first event in 2015. It's grown every year and has become an iconic event for the area. This year we anticipate about 2,500 people attending the festival. It's a great event that attracts a wide demographic. We have classic rock music that brings in the classic rock lovers and baby boomers. Since we took over the event, our new focus has been attracting the 20- and 30-somethings that like the craft brew scene. It's a great mix of friendly people, who love to have a great time.
RAL: What makes the event unique?
TD: It’s not your typical “parking lot microbrew fest”. This is a party in the woods. It's a 1/2 mile hike into the backwoods of Timber Ridge Resort, creating a very unique atmosphere. We don’t have any tents, but you’ll find plenty of big bonfires and loud music.
RAL: Take me through a day at the event.
TD: We will have 22 beverage vendors including beer, wine, cider and more. We have three food vendors, who will be serving up everything including: pig roast, hamburgers, tacos, chili and the list goes on. We have two live music stages, with four great bands rocking out all day. When all’s said and done, there will be five hours of party time in the woods.
RAL: What can attendees expect to find for local lodging?
TD: We have three different hotel sponsors this year. They are all listed on our website with special offers and great deals for guests. The three hotels are: Cherry Tree Inn and Suites, Pointes North Beachfront Resort Hotel, and Summerside Properties. Cherry Tree Inn and Suites has been a long time sponsor and usually sells out for the event, so make sure to plan your lodging in advance!
RAL: What does this event mean to the community?
TD: We bring in a lot of people for the event, over 60% are from out of town. They spend money in town, at the event and to cover lodging costs. It's usually a slow weekend so we like to bring in some traffic and provide a nice boost for all the local businesses. We also donate $2 of every ticket sold to local charities including TART Trails and VASA Trails.
RAL: Why should people come to Suds and Snow?
TD: Suds and Snow is not just an event, it's an entire weekend experience! This is a great way to experience our great city and meet new people. Aside from all the tasty brews, live music and conversation, Traverse City has many attractions, shops, outdoor activities, restaurants, and more to enjoy. Bring some fun and activity to your winter and join us for Suds and Snow.
For more information about Suds and Snow, please visit their website.