What is the Stanley Cup Doing on Mackinac Island?

Do you notice anything strange about this picture of Main Street on Mackinac Island?

Right, you don't see any horses. Right again, you don't see many people on the streets because, after all it is December.

Anything else?

Good heavens, the Stanley Cup is in the middle of the street! Probably the most coveted professional sports trophy in the world. Hockey fans are used to seeing the Stanley Cup lifted high above a National Hockey League championship teams heads with each team mate skating around the arena with it. What we're not used to is seeing it in the middle of a street, let alone on Mackinac Island. What's up?

Paul Cotter was on the 2023 Stanley cup winners the Vegas Golden knights and he’s from Michigan so maybe he brought it to the island. As of now, I can't get any confirmation, but that doesn't make any difference since the island folks are going crazy.

You would think that they might have come up with a better stand however. Maybe a cloth or drape as well. But you know the Mackinac Islanders, they are a humble bunch and someone probably just grabbed a chair and said, here, hold this!

So, including the Stanley Cup, what's up on Mackinac Island in the winter? For one thing Mackinac Island’s annual Christmas Bazaar and tree lighting is a big deal that many people come for.

Others enjoy a week of quiet relaxation between Christmas and the New Year’s Eve Great Turtle Drop. Seriously!

But many of the people who come to Mackinac Island in the offseason come to cross-country ski.

Thanks to the volunteer-run Mackinac Island Ski Club and the support of Mackinac State Historic Parks, the island features several miles of groomed trails for classic cross-country skiing and skate skiing.

Mackinac Island has always been a special place no matter the season, but winter is one of the best and most relaxing times to be on the island.

Maybe the Cup will still be on Main Street!