Family Fun in Southeast Michigan in July 2014

RE-PIN HERE!

My Karina post 4th of July parade in Brighton last year. Happening again this year on the 4th!

Mi oh mi it’s JULY! Summer is already flying. There are tons of fab events happening this month, with of course — many surrounding the 4th of July holiday. Take a peek at what’s coming up for family fun in Southeast Michigan in July 2014 including fun in Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint, Lansing and surrounding areas {a few bonus spots too!}. Be sure to mention what you’re up to this month in the comments!

July 2-5 – Salute to America in Greenfield Village {Dearborn} – A classic Independence Day celebration with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra that features authentic cannon fire and a spectacular fireworks display accompanied by live patriotic music. Event held rain or shine, just make sure to get tickets in advance! Adults 13+: $24, Youth 5-12: $15, children under 5 are free. {Or, learn how kids under 12 can get FREE admission here!}

Wednesdays, through August 6 – Walk Michigan {Brighton} – Visit Green Oak Village Place for a fun one-mile walk every Wednesday. SELCRA will be set up at the west end of the mall to register walkers from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and from 5-8 p.m. Each registration earns walkers an entry into the Walk Michigan grand prize drawing for a trip for two to the Labor Day Jazzy Walk Weekend at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. An additional entry for the trip can be filled out by presenting a receipt for a purchase of $10 or more made before the walk from a store at Green Oak. FREE.

July 4 – Salvation Army’s 50% off Clothing Day – This is my absolute favorite day to hit up SalArmy for awesome deals. All metro Detroit, Washtenaw and Livingston County stores will be participating. Get there right at 7 a.m. for diapers at mega low prices!

If you are looking for firework displays near the 4th of July, this website for Michigan is super helpful!

July 4 – Independence Day at Cobblestone Farm {Ann Arbor} – Enjoy 21st century festivities on the farm, including a reading of the Declaration of Independence and your crack at the “soap box.” Admission: Adults – $2, kids – $1.50, or family for $5.

July 4 – Independence Celebration at Crossroads Village {Flint} – Commemorate the 4th with all kinds of fun games, a festive carnival midway and everybody’s favorite annual ice cream social!

July 4 – Maybury State Park Fishing Derby {Northville} – Children 17 and younger are invited out with their tackle box and pole to this annual catch-and-release derby. Prizes awarded for largest fish and most caught. FREE.

July 4 – Independence Fest {Clarkston} – This event features fun activities for the whole family. Activities include visiting a mermaid, an extreme zip line, kids games, inflatables, a craft show, live entertainment and fireworks start at 10pm. Parking and shuttle fees.

July 4 – Ann Arbor Jaycees 4th of July Parade and Bike Decorating Contest for Children {Ann Arbor} – This annual parade starts at 10 a.m. FREE.

July 4 – Lansing Fireworks {Lansing} – Bring a blanket and your family and enjoy the fireworks display at Adado Riverfront Park. Enjoy live music before the fireworks, which start at 10 p.m. FREE.

July 4-13 – Oakland County Fair {Davisburg} – Grandstand events, contests, fair food, Big Rock Amusements Carnival, fireworks, free live concerts and MORE! {Enter to win free parking/entry passes through July 3rd at this post!}

July 5 and July 10-13 – Concert of Colors {Detroit} – This popular Detroit event features ethnic tunes, food, arts, crafts and family fun at multiple Midtown Detroit venues. FREE.

July 5, July 18 – Movies Under The Stars {Howell – City Park} – Watch your favorite big screen flicks under the stars at Howell City Park. Bring your sleeping bags, lawn chairs, favorite blanket, bug spray, picnic dinner, and family and enjoy the show. Movies start at dusk {typically between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.}. Concessions available, otherwise FREE. July 5 – Frozen andJuly 18 – The LEGO Movie.

July 5 – Home Depot Kid’s Workshop: Build a Bug House {Nationwide} – Learn how to build a pint-size bug house at this hands-on workshops; designed for children ages 5 – 12. All kids get to keep their craft, receive a certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies last. Register online in advance. FREE.

July 7-12 – Eaton County Fair {Charlotte} – Whether you enjoy tractor and truck pulls, motor-cross races or demolition derbies, you can find it all at the Eaton County Fair. Kids Day is Tuesday and Saturday {ride wristbands for $18}. Toddler Day is Thursday {$5 ride wristbands for ages 6 and under}! 

July 8 – Kids’ Night Out With Radio Disney {Lansing – Eastwood Towne Center} – From 5-7 p.m., Radio Disney Detroit will be at Eastwood Towne Center to help rock the night away. They will be providing loads of family entertainment including a performance hosted by local Radio Disney Talent and filled with cool music, games, and tons of prizes for the whole family. Enjoy live music with Tim the Music Man from 6-7 p.m. Additional activities include a Lansing Township fire truck and police car, face painting, balloon animals and The Michigan Stiltwalker.

July 8 – Reading Wizard Magic Show {West Bloomfield – Orchard Mall} – Presented by the West Bloomfield Township library, join the Reading Wizard as he uses a unique blend of comedy, magic, illusion, and juggling to “wow” each and every one! Every audience member will feel like the star! 11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. FREE.

July 8-9 – Zoo Days at Potter Park Zoo {Lansing} – On Zoo Days, admission is only $1 with a voucher* and parking is free. Play soccer, sample great food, get your photo taken and brush up on your Wii skills. Guests will also enjoy activities by community partners and learn cool stuff about the animals from PPZ’s docents. *1 voucher per person. Vouchers can be found at the following Meijer locations: Okemos, Bath, South Lansing, West Lansing, Lake Lansing, Mason, Grand Ledge and DeWitt.

July 9 – Metro Detroit Youth Day {Detroit – Belle Isle} – MDYD is a day full of fun, games, contests, celebrities and entertainment, as well as a free lunch for children between 8 and 15 years of age. Additionally, more than 100 college scholarships will be awarded to local high school graduates. FREE.

July 10 – Summer Zoomance at The Detroit Zoo {Royal Oak} – Get the scoop on this romantic event for ages 21+ and enter to win tickets over at Metro Detroit Mommy!

July 10-12 {and beyond} – Rochester Sidewalk Sales + Movies in the Moonlight {Rochester} – Get the schedule of fun over at this post by Metro Detroit Mommy!

July 10-13 – Uncle Sam Jam Festival {Woodhaven} – This festival features a carnival midway, free music from national and local acts, free attractions, such as a petting zoo and camel rides, free fireworks and more. {July 10 is family fun day} FREE admission.

July 11-13 – Detroit Gold Cup {Detroit} – This fast-paced hydroplane race is the perfect excuse to spend the day in Detroit. Learn all about it and enter to win grandstand tickets and cold pit passes here!

July 11-13 – Santa on Vacation {Frankenmuth} – Santa and Mrs. Claus will be vacationing and shopping at the world’s largest Christmas store — Bronner’s — July 11-13 from noon to 4 p.m. each day. Children of all ages are invited to stop by and get a glimpse of the right jolly old elf. Bring your camera for a great photo opportunity. FREE.

July 11-13 – Art In The Park {Plymouth} – Art In The Park is the second largest art fair in Michigan. The 3-day event features more than 400 artists from all over the country. Many activities for the entire family, too! Free — unsure about parking fees.

July 11-12 – A Taste of Brighton {Brighton} – Enjoy sidewalk shopping, samples of food, a family fun zone, wine and beer gardens, live music, arts and crafts and more. FREE.

July 12 – Lowe’s Build & Grow Clinic: Turbo with a Pullback Motor {Nationwide} – Bring your child to Lowe’s to build a cool Turbo with a pullback motor inspired by DreamWorks Animation’s Turbo. Register online in advance. FREE.

July 12 – Paddle to The Beatles at Kensington Metropark {Milford} – From 6:30-9:30 p.m., celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Beatles by paddling to a Beatles Blast concert. Canoeists will paddle across a 1/4 mile span on Kent Lake to the amphitheater and will return when the sun goes down. $20/adult, $15/kid {ages 12-16}.

July 12 – Michigan Honey Festival {Frankenmuth} – Learn all about bees and more at this neat festival! Get the scoop from The Crazy Nuts Mom here!

July 13 – FREE Family Sunday at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History {Detroit} – Thanks to Charter One Bank, enjoy FREE admission to the museum to check out exhibits and special programs. 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

July 13 – Mt. Brighton Mom-2-Mom Sale with Teen Mom Cast Members – Mt. Brighton will play host to a fundraiser for an ADORABLE local 3-year-old battling cancer. Shop, meet Catelynn, Tyler, Kailyn and Javi and most of all, help a family in need.

July 14 — Macy’s 2nd Mondays at The Henry Ford Museum {Dearborn} – Introduce your preschool children to the wonders of The Henry Ford — all before nap time {10 a.m. – noon}. Storytelling, live entertainment and dozens of hands-on activities related to some of the museum’s most memorable artifacts. July’s theme is baseball. FREE for kids, adults can get 25 percent off their tickets with this coupon!

July 16-19 – Ann Arbor Art Fair {Ann Arbor} – The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair is the original of a collective of four fairs that transform Ann Arbor into a massive outdoor art gallery. Kid’s activities, street performers, great food and more! FREE, but bring money to park for parking.

July 17-20 – Lyon Township Kite Festival Extravaganza {South Lyon} – Check out this 6th annual event at at James F. Atchison Memorial Park featuring kites, petting farm, carnival, hot air balloon glow, laser light show, and more — mostly FREE!

July 18-20 – Farmington Founder’s Fest {Farmington} – The Farmington Founders Festival is a weekend-long celebration of crafts, music and community and features lots of events for kids as well. FREE.

July 19 – Festival of Chariots {Novi} – The 29th annual Festival of Chariots is an ancient cultural festival celebrating Hindu that is celebrated all over the world by millions of people. Participate in a parade and pull a four story high chariot through the streets of Novi followed by ethnic music, free food, kids activities, live entertainment, yoga, cooking classes, ethnic shopping and so much more. FREE.

July 19 – Summer Family Fun Nights at Green Oak {Brighton} – Visit Green Oak Village Place for family dinner specials, a bounce house, arts and crafts an outdoor movie shown on a giant inflatable screen. The July 19th event will feature a magic show and experiments including an erupting volcano, giant bubbles, Oobleck and more. The movie will be Wizard of Oz. Bring blankets and chairs. FREE.

July 19 – Calhoun County Breakfast on the Farm {Battle Creek} – Breakfast on the Farm gives consumers and farm neighbors a first-hand look at modern food production, and the farm families who work hard to produce a safe, wholesome food supply for Michigan communities and the world. Stop in to learn about farm life and enjoy a delicious, free breakfast. Advance tickets are required. FREE. {Out of my typical area, but worth the mention!}

July 20 – Family Fun in the Park {Lansing – Sharp Park} – Free family magic show featuring Jeff the Magician. Show is sponsored by Delta Township Parks & Recreation and will be held in the amphitheater near the pond. 3-4 p.m. FREE.

July 21-26 – Fowlerville Family Fair {Fowlerville} – 4H animal shows, demolition derby, concerts, kids activities and more! Gate admission fees: adults – $6, seniors 62+ – $5, children (6-12) – $3, children under 5 are free. {Kids Day is July 23 and there will be lots of kid’s activities}

 July 24-26 – Sounds & Sights Festival {Chelsea} – This event features national and local music acts, local food and brew, an Indie Art Market, classic car show, chalk art contest and activities for the entire family. FREE.

July 24-26 – Sterlingfest {Sterling Heights} – Celebrating its 34th year, Sterlingfest mixes the tradition of an arts & crafts fair with a jazz and blues stage, a Suds’n’Sounds stage, Kidzfest children’s activities and entertainment stage, a family midway, local restaurateurs and a main concert stage. FREE.

July 26 – Antique Tractor and Classic Car Show {South Lyon} – Classic cars, antique tractors, coloring contest, giant sandbox, food and more.

July 26 – Mills Pharmacy Block Party {Birmingham} – Mills Pharmacy + Apothecary, along with Edible Wow Magazine, are hosting a Sweet Summertime Birmingham Block Party. The event is free and open to the public, is planned from noon until 5 p.m., and will feature the Detroit BBQ food truck, Detroit GT selling Birmingham and Detroit-themed apparel, outdoor games and a variety of local food and beverage vendors, who will be sampling as well as selling their products. Vendors include Mighty Good Coffee, Tito’s Vodka, Great Harvest Bread, Joseph Wesley Teas, Miller Pines and Savories, Beau Bien Fine Foods, Guernsey Dairy and more. FREE.

July 27 – Family Fun Day at The Art Experience {Pontiac} – These monthly workshops invite families to come play, learn and create. This month the workshop will work on acrylic painting. Must pre-register one week in advance and parents must attend. $10/participant.

July 28 – August 2 – Ingham County Fair {Mason} – Celebrating 160 years, this fair offers something for everyone including hundreds of exhibits, grandstand events, a large midway full of rides, a petting zoo and more! Free parking.

BONUS: Be sure to check out my big list of FREE local concerts this summer, too. Lots of fab acts are coming up in July! 

What are you looking forward to this month?