Town of Plattsburgh kicks off Michigan Month again
PLATTSBURGH — People visit the North Country for a variety of reasons whether it be the lakes, the mountains, the fall foliage or the peace and serenity, but they also come for other attractions.
And one of them is the Michigan, the regional food delicacy that consists of a hot dog on a steamed bun covered with a spicey meat sauce and accompanied with or without onions and some bright yellow mustard.
“It absolutely does bring people here,” Town of Plattsburgh Supervisor Michael Cashman said at a news conference Monday morning kicking off Michigan Month in the North Country.
Cashman said he has anecdotally heard from individuals that will reach out from all over the northeast to say they’ve heard about Michigans, and wanted to visit to try a taste, making Michigans a prime marketing tool for the region.
“I think it’s really important that a community embraces its identity,” Cashman said.
“I’m originally from Cape Cod, and we had lobster fests and clam fests and various things. When you have such an iconic delicacy as the Michigan, it shouldn’t be ignored.”
The town embarked on Michigan Month four years ago to celebrate the regional food. The origins of the Michigan stem from the town nearly 100 years ago, and with the highest concentration of restaurants that serve Michigans in the town, it was the perfect combination, Cashman said.
“It’s really important to embrace something that the community already enjoys, to be quite frank (sic),” he said.
“I was shocked that this region hadn’t embraced it at the level that we have over these last four years before this.”
PASSPORTS
During Michigan Month, which is all of July, once again diners can sample dogs from their favorite spots and cash in for their efforts.
A Michigan passport is available at the Town Hall, the North Country Chamber of Commerce and the four participating restaurants — Clare and Carl’s, McSweeney’s Red Hots, Gus’ Red Hots and Ronnie’s Michigans. Users can get the passports stamped when they visit the four participating restaurants and they also can get a sticker.
The first 25 to get all four stamps will earn a free Michigan T-shirt, redeemable at the Town Hall.
The town also has T-shirts for sale for $10 as well as felt pennants for $5.
“What we’re trying to do is to tell the story to celebrate something that is iconic,” Cashman said.
“If you’re coming into Plattsburgh it’s a mustard do (sic). It’s been unbelievable in the success that we’ve had over these last couple of years, and we want to continue to build on that.”
T-SHIRT
The winner of the T-shirt design contest this year was Todd Brunner of Plattsburgh. Brunner, a self-described Michigan aficionado, created a theme including the lakes and mountains of the region to show off two Michigan figures, one with onions and one without, in a canoe on a lake.
The design even has a shout out to Champ, the legendary Lake Champlain sea monster who also reportedly is a Michigan lover.
“I was born and raised in Plattsburgh, and I love the mountains, I love the water,” Brunner said.
“I don’t have any kind of favorite Michigan, buried, with or without, so I thought I would incorporate the two and embrace our wonderful Adirondacks on Lake Champlain, and as a side note to Champy.”
Brunner’s design rests on a backdrop of the lime green T-shirt. He was thrilled that his drawing was chosen out of about 30 entries.
“It feels terrific. I can’t wait to share with my friends and family,” Brunner said.
“My daughter (Tia) is very excited. She was a very big inspiration because we do a lot of kayaking and water sports together so it’s something that we kind of dreamed up.”
Cashman said the Michigan is gaining attention not only in the region, but, “from all corners of the country and internationally.”
“We have many of our Canadian friends that come down here and enjoy Michigan’s like we enjoy poutine so we’re continuing to build off of this element of who we are as our identity, and we look forward to celebrating it not just during the month of July, but year round.”