Earlier this week we ran a contest for our Massive Giveaway, and we encouraged you to tell us what you love about Michigan! Well the response was overwhelming! And SOOOOOO AWESOME! Check out your responses below. Curious who won? Head on over to the giveaway page for a list of the winners.

Kathy Ponstein: Is it the water? The beautiful scenery? The great people of Michigan? The history? The sports? I guess I love it all!

Erin Monigold: I love the Mitten State, because there is nothing else like it in the world! ♥

Jill Virtue: I love all the Great craft brewers in Michigan made with Pure Michigan water!

Kristina Moore: I love our state of MI because we have all four seasons, we have the great lakes, mountains, waterfalls, islands!!! What more can you ask for!! :):):)

Carol Blankenship Crawford: Michigan is home and has everything we need. We tried living in Florida, but there is nothing like pine trees covered with snow and beaches that hold treasures like Petoskey stones!

Nancy Haltom: Lakes, trees, trails, waterfalls, gorgeous sunrises and sunsets…MI rocks!

Amy Yvonne DeKok: I love the beautiful glorious trees!!

Tricia Stevens: Michigan is an invitation marvel at creation as well as the place to DO IT ALL. On- or in- the (clean!) water – with a full 4 seasons to… kayak (river or sea), ski (water-, jet-, downhill- or XC), sail/parasail (water or snow) snow or boogie board, climb dunes, rock faces or waterfalls, hike, bike, swim, skate (inline or ice), fish, hunt, take in or participate in concerts or the best food events with glorious scenic backdrops, hands-on education opportunities, color tours, sunrise/sets, northern lights and stargazing, and the best retreat for family to REALLY get to know each other whether active or late nights around a fire (in or out), or curling up in a lake or riverside a hammock together with books…and unlike many other vacation lands in the USA, with rare exceptions, Michigan’s abundant wildlife won’t kill you! (Would love a Tshirt to send to our college girl to proclaim MI!)

Tami Bruin: I might be in NC, but I’ll always be from Michigan!!!

Christopher Sorel: In Michigan and born here and vacation here. It is the best

Marge Hess Yetzke: I ♥ Michigan because I was born and raised here and plan to stay here. My ancestors came in the 1850’s to settle in the SW corner of the great mitten… love pointing out where I live on my hand!

Angela Giachino-Siegmon: I love Michigan for “Up North” the wonderful cabins, cottages and campgrounds

Cindi Czyzak Kaiser: The mitten is the best!!! Love the seasons and the lakes.

Melissa Metivier: I love the mitten because it has a little of everything–forests, mountains (well, almost), plains, dunes, oceans (low salt, of course), river valleys, snow, heat, rain, sunshine…

Shannon Casey: I love Michigan because of all the great wine being made in the state!Kati Huff: I’m a Resident Assistant at Oakland University (Rochester, MI but I’m a St. Joe native) and we do bulletin boards for our residents every month. This month I dedicated the entire board to MI! A map, quiz, fun facts, and even a shout out to you guys. Holla! And this is how I show my mitten love ♥

Dean Caverly: I love the mitten because I can snowboard in the winter and swim in the summer!

Heather MacDonald: I love Michigan because with a little slice of heaven like Traverse City, how could you possibly want to leave? Sipping wine at Chateau Chantal Winery with this view simply can’t be beat! 🙂

A### M###: I’m a born-and-raised Michigan expat living in Miami Beach.  I moved down here and November, and it took me two weeks to figure out that I’m moving back to Michigan.  I love Michigan because out of all of the places I’ve lived for any significant time — New York, Indiana, and Florida — it’s the only state where you get a sense that everyone is on the same team (sports-wise and more generally too!). Thanks for your terrific site — it makes nursing my homesickness much more pleasant!

Lona Bronkema: I think Michigan is awesome (in part) because of its agriculture. Did you know that Michigan is second only to the state of California in agricultural diversity?

Amy DeKok: I LOVE the trees…many states are flat..with corn, wheat..sort of boring even if it IS necessary. But I love that Michigan is glorious with trees of ALL kinds!!

Dave Solce: I love Michigan because it has everything. I was born in Beverly Hills, MI, then moved to Columbiaville, near Lapeer, then I moved to Cadillac, MI, where I have lived ever since. I have traveled all around Michigan. From the east of Detroit and Saint Clair, through the plains of Sandusky, and everywhere in-between. I have been down the west of the state, seeing Michigan’s Adventure, Saint Joseph as the sun sets, climbing the dunes and seeing all of what that area has to offer. I’ve taken the trip from Cadillac to Alpena many times, boated on Torch Lake, and taken 31 from Traverse City all the way to the bridge(one of my favorite drives). But don’t think that this lad only dwells in the simple life of the lower peninsula. I’ve had great times on Mackinac Island, both as a vacationer, and as a Governor’s Honor Guard. I’ve been as east as Sault St. Marie, and as west as Ontonagan, even further. I have hiked the Porcupine Mountains, many miles of the North Country Trail, and it has been Michigan Businesses that have gotten me there. I love this state because it has everything I could ever want. I have been to many other states, I have spent my summers in New Mexico the past three summers. Michigan is it’s own world. It is a amazing beauty on an extremely large landscape. It holds so many hidden treasures, more than I could ever find. We have the best state in the country. Yes, we have been marked by poor times, however, if and when we come together as a state, and bring back the community that we had, we will rise again as the superstate of the United States of America. This is why I love Michigan, I’m never missing out.

Jack Prince:  Why I love Michigan … I love Michigan mostly because of the great outdoors. And where there is great outdoors, there is great scenery. And where there is great scenery, there are breathtaking photo opportunities. There are so many natural resources in this state, and yet there are great cities big and small that show the divide between rural and modern areas. I like to travel in michigan, and it is nice to see so many different lifestyles and natural beauty in this great state.

Sarah Morgan: I love Michigan because it is the most beautiful, down-to-earth, and friendly place I have ever been, and I’m lucky enough to call it my home.

Jillian Hunsanger: Because it is home! Everything about it is home (everything from Howell and the Balloonfest, to Meijer, to the U.P.). I’ve only been gone since September, but I miss it so much. While I thought there was nothing better than a Nevada sunset before I moved, there is absolutely nothing like a late summer/ early fall sunset at home in Howell. And now I’m all emotional!

Linda Vance Why I love Michigan~ My life has been spent in Michigan although I have traveled the world, my love for Michigan grows. Macinac Island, The Henry Ford/Greenfield Village, Trinity House, The Zoo Boo~ Detroit Zoo, Traverse City, Tip-Up-Town, Snowmobiling, Frankenmuth, Lakeport State Park in Lexington, Jet skis in Lake Michigan, Mission Point Lighthouse, Labor Day Macinaw Bridge walk, Eastern Market, Volunteering at Vista Maria, Dow Gardens every Mothers Day, Detroit Tigers, Kayaking the Pine River, North American International Auto Show, Pictured Rocks, Sleeping Bear SandDunes. I LOVE Michigan <3

Sheryl Dye I love Michigan because of its sparkling beautiful lakes, and the fact that the waterfronts are mostly public, not private as they are in CA, so everyone can enjoy the lakes and what they offer.  I also love the big beautiful shade trees in Michigan, which I very much miss being in California.

Heather Smith I have lived in Traverse City for almost 9 years.  I love it because there are no highways and therefore, less traffic and craziness…People care about the farmers here so we get lots of fresh produce and local products.  The wine is AMAZING and I am so happy to be surrounded by so many FANTASTIC breweries.  The schools are great and the town is a nice, safe place to raise my kids.  PLUS we get the Cherry Festival and the Film Festival…Can’t thank Michael Moore enough for bringing the State Theatre back…downtown is so vibrant and that makes it even better!!!!  Lots of love for my adopted state and town!

Tara Brennan Even though I no longer live there, I love getting back to visit as much as possible! I love the 4 seasons, “up north,” the lakes, the great people and the wide variety of activites the state has to offer!

Sarah Kundinger I am so proud to be from Michigan. I think we are truly a hidden gem. Michigan is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and we have things to do year round! No matter the season, there is always something fun to do in Michigan and I think that is what I love about it most.

Silhanek Beautiful lakes, serene countryside, great skiing, awesome boating, culturally vibrant and diverse cities, comfortable small towns, and wholesome, hardworking people.

Kelly Silver Dear Beloved Mitten…you will always be my home.  I live in Pittsburgh now…and only until I can return.  I had to leave for my job and family…and my colleagues now know the wonders of the mitten.  Steelers? Nooooo…Penguins? You’ve got to be kidding me.  It is not easy living in the Steel City when my heart is in the MOTOR CITY….the only Hockey Town.  I miss my peninsula, my family in Birmingham, Royal Oak, Oscoda and Clawson….I miss my home.  I talk of the lakes and coney islands and the auto industry…and I don’t care if I repeat myself.  I have a picture of The Mitten on my wall…just to remind everyone which state I love above all. If I win…I can brave the Pittsburghers with Michigan pride….I love Michigan and I will return home for good someday.