2021 Michigan Lighthouse Festival Time Is at Mission Point This annual event celebrates the historic lighthouses here in our great state of Michigan. Being a state that is surrounded by the great lakes it’s no surprise that we have the most lighthouses of any state in the country. The first lighthouse in Michigan was built in 1825. There was no electricity in those days so oil lamps were used to provide the guiding light to ships in Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, and Lake Huron. At its peak of the lighthouse era Michigan had 250 lighthouses. The yearly Lighthouse Festival is being hosted this year at Mission Point, as that location is celebrating its 150th anniversary. Mission Point offers a beautiful view of Traverse Bay, with a gift shop, museum and a very nice park with walking trails and a beach. Today there are more than 120 lighthouses still remaining in Michigan. This year's festival happens August 6th and 7th, August 7th is actually National Lighthouse Day.