History Prize Coming to Ludington (Sort Of) in June 2017

[XLFD]

A new announcement from Mara MacKay and the other forces behind HistoryPrize, a conceptual event about historical material set up like Grand Rapids successful ArtPrize efforts, previously discussed on the Ludington Torch here.  In the comments to that article, it was disclosed that there was friction between the local HistoryPrize board and the originator, which led to the board withdrawing some of its financial backing after the Ludington Convention and Visitor's Board had invested $30,000 into it-- which may have helped lead to a change of leadership at the LCVB. 

But HistoryPrize has decided not to be history before its making, and has reconfigured itself into a new region covering the west Michigan shoreline.  It's press release, issued at it Facebook page has the details: 

Beulah, MI—HistoryPrize® has set their sights on 2017 as the first launch of the event that celebrates everything history. At this event, Participants can exhibit or explore historical collections, living history reenactments, folk, traditional arts, or other creative forms of historical expression. This competitive event includes thr...ee main categories: living history, collections and fixed-exhibits. Participants compete for monetary prizes. HistoryPrize® is preparing to launch the event from June 9 through June 19, 2017.

Over 11-days, activities take place on a playing field called the HistoryPrize® “History District” that spans from St. Joseph’s lighthouse to Point Betsie Lighthouse in Frankfort, Michigan. The playing field is 200-miles long with Lake Michigan as the event’s natural backdrop. Organizers are welcoming museums, historical societies, businesses, state or nationally recognized historic places, tourism attractions, family friendly sites, and participating communities west of Highway 31 to be involved. Some exceptions could be made for those slightly outside of the 2017 boundary line.

Rules for participants will keep HistoryPrize® as open as possible to achieve satisfaction by all participants. Popular vote will determine HistoryPrize® winners. Daily start and end times would be one example of a helpful rule. Rules for participants will be posted by or before October 30, 2016. Venues determine who exhibits at their location and venues take all responsibility for exhibits at their sites.

The Lake Michigan coastal playing field means that historical presenters will be able to select from a wide variety of cultural and historical sites with more indoor and outdoor venues to choose from. Beach towns along the playing field are invited to consider how their neighborhoods or historical sites can display heritage.

Towns can choose an era to concentrate on, specifically, or they can think about one of the categories. Dinosaurs, pioneers, suffragettes or any living history performance is welcome to travel back on this inspired platform. When you come to HistoryPrize® you can expect to see historically-themed puppets, storytellers, and larger than life vintage game pieces such as chessmen or HistoryPrize® Ambassadors such as Winston Churchill, Abe Lincoln, or Charles Lindbergh walking about!

There are relatively few limitations on what the creative and engaged mind could dream-up for this event. Even though the draw is a ‘big prize’ package there will be smaller prizes too, such as ‘Outstanding Maritime History’ collection.

For Chambers of Commerce, Historical Societies, CVBs or anyone who simply wants to draw more historical presentations to their own backyard, HistoryPrize® looks forward to making June 2017 one of West Michigan’s best regional draws in history! Historians, start planning your exhibit today!

West Michigan venues, it’s not too early to consider how your business or organization can welcome history travelers to your site. 2017 is just around the corner in terms of planning for this significant event, and those communities who get involved early are certain to have an advantage in terms of exposure, and preparation.

Winning exhibitors will be selected by popular vote from those who attend the event and register a!t locations along the HistoryPrize® playing field. Venues will be determined by juried vote!

Currently, HistoryPrize® is in the process of building support so if you want to volunteer, register your venue, engage your community, or if you would simply like more information on how you can prepare, how your history group or Museum can be involved, or how you can help please contact HistoryPrize® by visiting historyprize.org

[Willy]

I think this is a much better idea and I hope it works. This will encourage tourism and interest all along the coast. White Pine Village is definitely the gem in all of this. I can't think of anything on the west coast that even comes close.

[XLFD]

If this does come into fruition, White Pine Village should be a local nexus point, as according to my research, the two weekends it covers are the weekends for the Lakestride Half Marathon and Gus Macker, which effectively makes the lakefront unpassable and traffic almost unbearable for at least part of the weekend in Ludington. 

It's going to be a logistical miracle if they can pull it off, but I wish them luck in the attempt.

[XLFD]

Did you take part in this year's History Prize over those 11 days this June?  Probably not, since it's a bit of lost history.

Rather quietly the History Prize franchise is slowly vanishing.  The Facebook page exists and historical topics are linked to or pictured occasionally, but the historyprize.org page is gone, and there has been no press releases about its future since 2015.  This visionary task could some day take place and be successful, but it seems to have run out of funding and interest just a little while after the $30,000 from the Ludington CVB ran out.