lilacs 2008 05-10 03, photo by Ray-48.

Wikipedia says that Syringa (Lilac) is a genus of about 20–25 species of deciduous shrubs or small trees in the olive family (Oleaceae), native to Europe and Asia.

Although lilacs in Michigan typically bloom in mid to late May in most locations, it’s not until June that Mackinac Island holds their annual Mackinac Island Lilac Festival:

Celebrating Mackinac’s lilac collection began in 1949 after a conversation with Evangilene “Ling” Horn, Nurse Stella King and Mackinac Island Carriage Tours veterinarian Dr. Bill Chambers. The idea was to bring people to the Island to enjoy a great horse drawn parade amidst the lovely lilacs that fragrance the Island in June. What began as a one day event called the Mackinac Island Lilac Day has blossomed into a ten day festival.

2008 is the 59th annual Lilac Festival and it takes place June 6-15. You can go to mackinacislandlilacfestival.org to learn much more about the festivities which include parades, coronation of the Lilac Queen and lots of lilac walks and talks, concerts and even a dog and pony show (I thought that was just a figure of speech).