Nestled in the northeast part of the lower peninsula, about an hour from the Mackinaw Bridge (via two-lane roads), Posen hasn't yet found it's way onto any tourist map.

Until today.

Home of the Posen Potato Festival, this tiny town (population 292 as of the 2000 census) is settled mostly by Polish folks, who came to the area around 1870. The town is named after Poznan, a region in Poland. (One wonders if it's about as cold there, too.)

The Posen Potato Festival

This has been held annually for over 50 years. The Festival features (what else?) potatoes. More importantly, however, it provides a slice of authentic Polish tradition, including traditional dress, polkas, crafts and the like. It's usually held in early September, attracting people from the region.

Posen in Santa, CEO

Posen plays a significant role in the novel. Without giving the story away, a good portion of the latter part of the book takes place in Posen. And here the author (that's me) needs to apologize to the hard- working folks in the village and surrounding area for any liberties taken with respect to locations and characters.

The Posen people in the novel are entirely fictitious (aside from the general fact that I make them Polish--how could I not?).

Photo courtesy of
Ken Huisjen, MultiMag, Inc.

The events are of course fictitious, excepting the general outline of the Potato Festival itself. There is no Boxcar Bar or Ida's Place, and I don't know whether the Posen folks serve pasties, which are more of an Upper Peninsula food. While much of the activity in this part of the book takes place in the Boxcar Bar, this isn't meant to imply that Posen folks spend a great deal of time in any tavern -- it's a necessary vehicle to drive home some very serious issues Santa faces (not to be coy, but those who've read the book will understand).

The Historical Marker

But the historical marker -- ahh, now, that's different. Yes, the historical marker does exist, and the words used in the novel are the words on the marker itself. There is no bench, though, that I know of (unless one has been installed very recently). The photo shows the marker and lamppost clearly.

A Salute to Posen!

Well, maybe Posen won't get onto anyone's travel list as a result of this exposure. But I'd like to make it clear that I enjoyed my brief visit and have nothing but respect for the hard- working folks who make the village a going concern. Here's to another 50 years of Potato Festivals!

Follow That Sleigh!

Here are some links of interest in the Posen area:

Posen details