Costly gas won't stop vacationers

Costly gas won't stop vacationers

Jazz festival, Grand Prix, state fair are among top Mich. destinations for Labor Day weekend.

Tom Greenwood / The Detroit News

Back in 1955, when Patrick "Shorty" Gleason's father worked on the Mackinac Bridge, the price of gasoline was 29 cents a gallon.

Despite the fact that gas is now $3.53 a gallon higher than in 1955, Gleason will still drive his family Up North for the annual Labor Day Walk across the "Mighty Mac."

"I wish we could roll back gas prices to 1955 when Dad worked on the bridge, but that's not going to happen," said Gleason, who has proudly toiled as an ironworker for the past 36 years.

"It costs you extra money to do anything today. The price of fuel has certainly affected my other travel plans; we don't travel like we did before. It used to be that you didn't hesitate to go up to northern Michigan, but we've curbed it quite a bit this year. It's gotten so a tank of gas exceeds the cost of the motel room."

According to AAA of Michigan, 1.2 million Michiganians have Labor Day holiday travel plans, down a mere 0.8 percent from last year. Over one million of those who will be traveling will do so by car, despite gasoline costs averaging $3.82 per gallon for regular, 86 cents higher than the same time period in 2007.

On the semi-bright side, while $3.82 is high, it's still lower than the $4.18 per gallon travelers paid during the Fourth of July holiday.

"While the overall travel numbers are down slightly from last year, it is important to note that more Michigan residents are spending their vacation dollars in Michigan," said Claire Lockley, vice president of travel for the Auto Club Group (ACG).

Maybe it's lower gas prices or summer's last hurrah before school starts, but Michigan's state campgrounds will be filled to bursting this Labor Day weekend. According to the Department of Natural Resources, as of Tuesday, 11,657 of the state's 12,263 campsites have been reserved for this weekend for a 95 percent occupancy rate.

There's no excuse not to have fun for those sticking around the Metro area. Three major events are planned between Friday and Monday: the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, the Detroit International Jazz Festival and the Chrysler Arts, Beats & Eats in Pontiac.

The Belle Isle Grand Prix runs Friday to Sunday with events beginning at 8 a.m. daily. Admission is free on Friday while prices for Saturday and Sunday's events range from $45 for general admission to $110 for two-day, reserved grandstand seating. Visit detroitgp.com for information.

This year's jazz festival -- billed as "A Love Supreme: the Philly/Detroit Summit" -- runs Friday through Monday at Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit and celebrates the music of Detroit and Philadelphia. Visit detroitjazzfest.com for information. The 11th annual Chrysler Arts, Beats & Eats Festival boasts free admission and will be held in downtown Pontiac from Friday to Monday, featuring food, art, and music. Visit artsbeatseats.com for more information.

And don't forget the oldest state fair in the United States.

The Michigan State Fair runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily until Labor Day. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for senior citizens (62 and older) and for children age three to 12. Parking is $7 per vehicle. "Ride All Day" wristbands are $15 on weekdays and $25 on weekends and Labor Day.

Howell resident Matt Campanella and his family will bring the summer to an end by traveling to the family cottage in Oscoda, just as they did for the Memorial Day and July Fourth holidays.

"I guess when it comes to gas prices my philosophy is that 'It is what it is' and it's out of my control," Campanella said.

"I'm fortunate in that it doesn't impact me where it might impact other families. The way I see it, family memories are more important to us than the added expense of gasoline."

You can reach Tom Greenwood at (313) 222-2023 or tgreenwood@detnews.com.