Pure Michigan - Sunrise Side Bus Bash 2008 May 23-25, 2008 Hillman, Michigan

	Click here to download the preliminary article on Pure Michigan - Sunrise Side Bus Bash 2008 in PDF format. This four-page article appeared in the November, 2007 issue of National Bus Trader.	Click here to download the detailed article on Pure Michigan - Sunrise Side Bus Bash 2008 in PDF format. This five-page article appeared in the February, 2008 issue of National Bus Trader.
	Click here to download the Schedule of Events for Pure Michigan - Sunrise Side Bus Bash 2008 in PDF format. These two pages appeared in the February, 2008 issue of National Bus Trader.	Click here to download the Registration form for Pure Michigan - Sunrise Side Bus Bash 2008 in PDF format. This one page appeared in the February, 2008 issue of National Bus Trader.

This Bus Bash event will be held in Hillman and Alpena, Michigan, in the northeast region of Lower Michigan bordering Lake Huron on the east. Known as the ìSunrise Sideî of Michigan, this area is very pretty, very scenic and is increasingly popular for bus tour groups.

 The 49th in the ongoing series of Bus Bashes, this event sets a new high mark in attractions and amenities provided to Bus Bash registrants. In addition to the usual events, registrants will be given the opportunity to join two additional attractions before, during or after the regularly-scheduled Bus Bash events. The first of these special attractions is the Elk Viewing, Carriage Ride, Gourmet Dinner and Wine Tasting at Hillman while the second is the Charity Island Dinner Cruise at AuGres, Michigan. These special attractions are listed following the regular Schedule of Events.

1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. - The Bus Bash Registration and Information Desk will be open in the lobby of the Thunder Bay Resort. Pick up your credentials and reconfirm your seats on the Saturday Tours. Late registrations will be accepted for activities as space permits.

 6:15 p.m. - Shuttle leaves the Alpena Holiday Inn to Hillman for the evening activities. Those staying at the Alpena Holiday Inn can register when they arrive at the Thunder Bay Resort.

 7 p.m. to ? - The traditional Bus Bash Welcome reception will take place at the Hillman Community Center in Hillman. This will be followed by dinner and entertainment. A cash bar will be open. This is a great opportunity to renew old acquaintances and make new ones. A shuttle will return to the Alpena Holiday Inn afterwards.

 6:30 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. - The Bus Bash Registration and Information Desk will be open in the lobby of the Thunder Bay Resort for late arrivals. Pick up your credentials and reconfirm your seats on the Saturday tours.

 7 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. - Breakfast at the Thunder Bay Resort in Hillman.

 7:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. - Breakfast at the Alpena Holiday Inn in Alpena.

 7:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.Ý- A Bus Bash Registration and Information Desk will be open in the lobby of the Alpena Holiday Inn for late arrivals to pick up your credentials and reconfirm your seats on the Saturday tours.

 8:20 a.m. - Shuttle departs the Thunder Bay Resort for Alpena for both of the Saturday tours.

 9 a.m. - Fam tour departs from the Alpena Holiday Inn. Stops will include the National Marine Sanctuary, the Besser Museum, and then a stop for lunch at the Holiday Inn. Afternoon attractions include the Fletcher Street Brewery, the LaFarge Cement Plant and the Stoney Acres Winery TaFsting Room. Tour returns to the Holiday Inn by 4 p.m.

 9:15 a.m. - The Mechanical tour, replacing the garage tour, departs from the Alpena Holiday Inn. Our first stop will be at the LaFarge Quarry and Cement plant that will include a tour of their equipment repair facility. Lunch will be at the Holiday Inn. Afternoon attractions include the Fletcher Street Brewery, the National Marine Sanctuary, and Stoney Acres Winery. Tour returns to the Holiday Inn by 4 p.m.

 4:15 p.m. -  Shuttle leaves the Alpena Holiday Inn for those staying at the Thunder Bay Resort in Hillman.

 6:30 p.m. - Shuttle leaves the Alpena Holiday Inn for Dinner and Entertainment in Hillman.

 7 p.m. to ? - Dinner and entertainment at the Hillman Community Center. A cash bar will be open. Great entertainment will be provided.

 9:30 p.m. - Shuttle leaves Hillman for Alpena for those staying at the Holiday Inn. Additional later shuttles will be provided as required.

 7 to 8:30 a.m. - Breakfast at Thunder Bay Resort in Hillman and at Holiday Inn in Alpena. 8 a.m. ? If requested, a shuttle will be provided from the Alpena Holiday Inn to the Bus Bash location in Hillman.

 8 a.m. - Display buses should begin parking at the Hillman Community Center parking lot. Flea market people should begin setting up inside the Hillman Community Center Multipurpose Room.

 9:30 a.m. - Bus show, bus flea market and marketplace opens to the public. Once participating buses are tagged, ballots will be made available to the public to vote. Noon ? Lunch on your own. Food will be available at the Hillman Community Center or at area restaurants.

 2:30 p.m. - Balloting ends.

 3 p.m. - Presentation of awards and trophies followed by photographs of the winners.

 3:30 p.m. - Bus parade in the Hillman area.

 4 p.m. - If requested, a shuttle will be provided from Hillman to the Alpena Holiday Inn.

 8:30 a.m. - Golf outing at Thunder Bay Resort in Hillman. Eighteen holes with cart, lunch and prizes.

These two attractions are available to Bus Bash Registrants in addition to the regular Bus Bash events. Please book your preferred times as early as possible.

Elk Viewing, Carriage Ride, Gourmet Dinner & Wine Tasting starting from Thunder Bay Resort in Hillman. Departure Times: Friday: 11:30 a.m., 4 p.m. Saturday: 6 p.m. Sunday: 6 p.m. Monday: 11 a.m.

Charity Island Dinner Cruise leaving from the dock in AuGres, Michigan (approximately two hours drive south of Alpena). Departure Times: Friday: 10 a.m., 12 noon, 2:30 p.m. Sunday: 6:30 p.m. Monday: 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m.

Conventional motel rooms are available at the Alpena Holiday Inn, located about a mile northwest of downtown Alpena on U.S. 23. Room rates are $75 per night for 1-2 guests or $85 per night for 3-4 guests. Tax is additional.

Thunder Bay Resort in Hillman, Michigan offers a variety of larger accommodations. A Deluxe Suite (2-6 guests) is $89 per night,  a Whirlpool suite (2-6 guests) is $99 per night,  a two-bedroom Villa (4-8 guests) is $119 per night, and a three-bedroom Chalet (6-8 guests) is $149 per night. Tax is additional.

For the converted coach people, Thunder Bay has an RV park with full hook-ups for $35 per night. Dry camping is also available in the area for $15 per night. There is a dump station and water on the property.

A registration fee of $50 for adults and $35 for children (ages 12 and under) will be charged to Bus Bash participants. This includes the reception on Friday evening, breakfast on Saturday, the Saturday tours, lunch on Saturday and dinner on Saturday evening. In addition you will be able to schedule participation in the Elk Viewing/Carriage Ride/Gourmet Dinner/Wine Tasting from Thunder Bay and participation in the Charity Island Dinner Cruise over the weekend.

If possible please use the Registration Form provided to make your reservations. Please enclose $50 per adult and $35 per child with your form in check, money order, or credit card information. Room and campground reservations should be made now but paid later. This form can also be faxed to (989) 742-3380. Due to the number of options, you are encouraged to register by phone at (800) 729-9375 where the staff of the Thunder Bay Resort can guide you through the registration and reservation process.

Standard bus services including lavatory dump, wash and minor repairs are available at Coastal Charter and Tours, 3585 M-32 West, Alpena, Michigan 49707. Look for a new steel building just east of a large pond approximately four miles west of Alpena and approximately 18.3 miles east of Thunder Bay Resort in Hillman. Phone (989) 358-6600 for information.

Scheduled air service is provided into the Alpena (APN) airport. Courtesy bus service to and from the airport is provided by the Alpena Holiday Inn. Indian Trails Route 1485 operates daily service between Bay City and St. Ignace via Alpena. Both northbound and southbound buses stop at Mancinoís Pizza in Alpena. Connecting bus service is available to Lansing, Chicago and Detroit.

Commercial and business activities scheduled in conjunction with Bus Bash are subject to a licensing fee. Exempt are non-commercial and collectible items sold at the Sunday flea market and sales of display coaches at the Sunday bus display. Others should contact Bus Bash, Inc. for fees and regulations.