August…Such a bittersweet month here in Michigan! The calm before the storm of school begins and life returns to normal. I hope you all do your best to wrap up summer memories by attending some of the 50+ events below. ENJOY!
Family Fun in Southeast Michigan August 2016
Through August 6 — Monroe County Fair {Monroe} — Food, family activities, entertainment, Grandstand concerts, midway rides {Kids Day is on Tuesday, Aug. 2}, 4-H exhibits and more.
Through August 6 — Ingham County Fair {Mason} — 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.
August 4 — Summer Fun Thursdays at Twelve Oaks {Novi} — Visit Twelve Oaks for weekly, family friendly fun in August. This week’s theme is Animal Magic. Presented by Childtime and Tutor Time Child Care Learning Centers. FREE.
August 5 — Big Rig Gig {Lake Orion} — Experience dozens of trucks, tractors, diggers, dozers, buckets and back-loaders first hand. Concessions will be available for purchase. Enjoy the movie Star Wars – The Force Awakens at 8:30 p.m. $5 per vehicle.
August 5 — FREE Movies Under The Stars: The Good Dinosaur {Howell} — Visit Howell City Park for FREE Movies Under the Stars at Howell City Park. Movie begins at dusk. Concessions will be available for purchase. Park admission will be waived for the duration of the movie. FREE.
August 5-6 — Bath Days Festival {Bath} — Home of the “International Bath Tub Races,” this family friendly fest includes crafts, a car show, rides, fireworks, a kids play area and of course – bath tub races. FREE entry.
August 5-7 — Buy Michigan Now Fest {Northville} — Michigan vendors, activities and music for the whole family. North Center Street is home to the Kids Zone with magic, games, mascots, and more. FREE entry.
August 5-7 — Dearborn’s Homecoming {Dearborn} — This hometown festival includes lots of food, free family activities, stage performances, carnival rides, and fireworks displays on Saturday and Sunday nights. Admission is free. All activities are at Ford Field Park in Dearborn. $10 for parking.
August 6 — Home Depot Kids Workshop {Nationwide} — Visit Home Depot to build a skateboard pencil box. Kids get to keep their craft, receive a certificate of achievement, a workshop apron, and a pin. 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. FREE.
August 6 — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} — Drop into a Michael’s Craft Store and take home a completed project! 30 minutes of creative craft fun, including supplies. 10 a.m. – noon. Ages 3 and up. This day’s project is Sprout medal.
August 6 — Families at The Broad {East Lansing} — Visit this East Lansing modern art museum from 12-4 p.m. for hands-on activities and a family guided tour at 1 p.m. FREE.
August 6 — Second & Charles Book Store Opening {Utica} — The eclectic retailer, which specializes in trading books, video games, vinyl records, collectibles and more, will host an action-packed grand opening! Festivities begin at 10 a.m. and will include photo opportunities with costumed characters, family friendly activities and a Nintendo gaming tournament. Five lucky guests will receive a $100 shopping spree to 2nd & Charles, and customers can enter to win a $500 gift card, too. FREE to attend.
August 6 — FREE Root Beer Float Day at A&W {Nationwide} — Stop in for a free float from 2 p.m. to close!
August 6 — Tons of Trucks {Clarkson} — Visit Clintonwood Park for tons of trucks, big rigs, cement mixers, tractors, trailers and bulldozers and more. Also included: train rides, wagon rides, mobile recreation truck, Arts & Scraps truck and music all day. FREE.
August 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 27-28 — FREE Dinosaur Tours at the University of Michigan Natural History Museum {Ann Arbor} — Visit the museum at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays for a 30-minute docent-led tour of the dinosaur exhibits. Sign up on the day of the tour. Limited to 15 people. Sponsored by U-M Credit Union. FREE.
August 6-7 — Railfans Weekend at Huckleberry Railroad {Flint} — All aboard! This weekend is dedicated to trains and train lovers! Celebrate Huckleberry Railroad with shop tours, demonstrations, model trains and a special photo run. Train/Crossroads Village combo pricing is as follows: Adult {13+}: $13, Senior {60+}: $12, Child {25 mos. – 12 yrs}: $10, 24 mos. & under are free.
August 6, 13, 20, 27 — FREE Day at the Flint Institute of Art {Flint} — This museum is free to visit every Saturday thanks to First Merit Bank.
August 7 — Summer Sundays at Upland Hills Farm {Oxford} — Enjoy all of the farm animals, a farmer will be in the barn to help the brave ones milk a cow, hayrides will be going out regularly, bring a picnic lunch or purchase food at the concession, and pony rides are available. 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. $8/person.
August 7 — Princess & Pirate Ball at the Royal Park Hotel {Rochester} — Grab your tiaras and treasure chests and join us for great food, dancing, magical kids activities, silent auction and much more!
Tickets are $30 Adults, $10 Kids. Kids under 5 are free.
August 8 – 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. August’s theme is All Aboard! and will take place in Greenfield Village. FREE for kids only.
August 8-13 — Wayne County Fair {Belleville} — A miracle of life barn, 4-H animals, a midway, fair food and more. $5 parking fee.
August 11 — Riverfront Relaxin’ {Detroit} — Enjoy live music, classic movies, food trucks and games at West Riverfront Park. This day’s movie is Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and music will be provided by Jody Raffoul Band.
August 11 — Summer Fun Thursdays at Twelve Oaks {Novi} — Visit Twelve Oaks for weekly, family friendly fun in August. This week’s theme is Baffling Bill the Magician. Presented by Childtime and Tutor Time Child Care Learning Centers. FREE.
August 12-13 — Dexter Daze {Dexter} — The festival includes more than 100 art, business and food booths, multiple music stages, as well as dozens of activities and events for families. FREE entry.
August 12-14 — Milford Memories {Milford} — Visit beautiful downtown Milford for this super fun annual fest, which features arts and crafts, plenty of food, live music, kids activities and more. FREE entry.
August 12-14 — St. Johns Mint Festival {St. Johns} — Celebrate more than 100 years of mint farming in Clinton County with arts & crafts, a flea market, food concessions, a parade, mint farm tours, free entertainment and more. A highlight of the festival is activities for kids including Kids World all weekend long and Kids Day on Sunday with exotic animals, games & contest—all for 25 cents each.
August 13 — Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic {Nationwide} — Bring your kids to Lowe’s to build Black Widow. Workshop takes place at 10 a.m. and advance registration encouraged {link above}. FREE.
August 13 — Michaels Kid Club {Nationwide} — Drop into a Michael’s Craft Store and take home a completed project! 30 minutes of creative craft fun, including supplies. 10 a.m. – noon. Ages 3 and up. This day’s project is a summer memories book. FREE.
August 13 — Touch-A-Truck {Lansing} — Visit Sharp Park from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. for a fun touch-a-truck event! FREE.
August 13 — Fenton Summer Block Party {Fenton} — Visit Bush Park for bounce houses, a petting zoo, magic show, puppets, hot dogs and more. FREE.
August 13-14 — Shelby Township Art Fair {Shelby Township} — This event features a variety of art, fine crafts, plus a section designated for Michigan made products. Listen to music at the bandshell, make a craft under the Kid’s Corner tent, play on a bouncer, visit with animals and more. Parking and entry is FREE.
August 14 — FREE Day at the Flint Children’s Museum {Flint} — General admission to the museum is FREE from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. thanks to Brown & Brown Insurance.
August 15 — Renegade Theatre Festival {Lansing} — Visit charming Old Town in Lansing for various theatre performances and kid fun. FREE.
August 15-21 — Armada Fair {Armada} — The 2015 fair includes a demolition derby, monster truck shootout, tractor and truck pull, children’s activities, 4-H entries and more. Adults – $8, kids {9-12} – $2, under 8 are free. Parking is $5.
August 16-20 — Back To The Bricks {Flint} — Visit Flint and be part of one of the biggest car events featuring a rolling cruise, kick-off party, live entertainment, automotive displays, vendors, food, antique fire trucks and dragster exhibits and more. FREE.
August 18 — Summer Fun Thursdays at Twelve Oaks {Novi} — Visit Twelve Oaks for weekly, family friendly fun in August. This week’s theme is Cirque Amongus. Presented by Childtime and Tutor Time Child Care Learning Centers. FREE.
August 19 — Ferndale Emergency Vehicle Show {Ferndale} — This event is in its 16th year and is the perfect opportunity for kids young and old to get up-close to emergency vehicles. From 1-8 p.m. Be sure to go to the Lights & Sirens show at 5:30 p.m. too! FREE.
August 19 — Teddy Bear Picnic {Waterford} — Register in advance for this fun day at the farm with your Teddy Bear! Winnie the Pooh and his friends will join you as you enjoy a story, craft, and grill hot dog lunch. $10/resident; $12/non-residents.
August 19-21 and 26-28 — Day Out With Thomas at Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad {Flint} — Get the scoop + enter a giveaway at this post of mine or purchase tickets here.
August 19-21 — Howell Melon Festival {Howell} — Visit Grand River in downtown Howell for festival staples like melons, melon-flavored ice cream and wine, and enjoy the Melon Run, a free outdoor movie, live music, the kids Melon Patch, inflatables, food court, train rides, a carnival, street vendors and more. FREE.
August 20 — Mason Aviation Day {Mason} — Visit the Mason Jewett Airport for a pancake breakfast, airplane/helicopter rides, aviation displays and more! Free to enter.
August 20 – Woodward Dream Cruise {Ferndale through Pontiac} – Join spectators watching 40,000 cars cruise through the world’s largest one-day automotive event. Bring a lawn chair and take a seat along the route, which runs from Ferndale to Pontiac on Woodward Avenue. FREE.
August 20-21 — Thunder Over Michigan Air Show {Ypsilanti} — Thunder over Michigan is one of Americas leading air shows and is considered the best warbird show in America. Held at Willow Run Airport, the show features world-class entertainment, including the Blue Angels, and fun for the whole family. Parking is $10 in advance or $20 on site. Admission tickets are $35; kids age 15 and under and free.
August 20 – Oct. 2 — Michigan Renaissance Festival {Holly} — Visit Holly Grove for music, sword-swallowing, comedy, fire-juggling and of course, the costumes of a bygone era. Open 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., rain or shine! Dress in costume for added fun and be sure to check out how the Festival celebrates with themed weekends. Free parking. Adult general admission: $22.95; child general admission: $13.95.
August 21 — Monarch Butterfly Festival {Davisburg} — Celebrate the Monarch Butterfly at the Shiawassee Basin Preserve. There will be crafts, games, vendors, plants for sale, and workshops about Monarch’s lifecycles, migration and making your own butterfly garden! 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. FREE to enter.
August 21 — Robots in the Park {Plymouth} — Robots in the Park showcases Lightning Robotics and STEM activities. FREE.
August 22-28 — Genesee County Fair {Mt. Morris} — Visit Mt. Morris for seven days of family fun including monster trucks and derby races, entertainment tent, 4-H horse show, Midway Carnival, Grandstand events, food and more. FREE gate admission.
August 24 — FREE Visit With Supe’s Exotic Animals {Howell} — Visit Be Our Guest Adult Day Care {a program of Livingston County Catholic Charities} for fun from 2-4 p.m. with Supe’s Exotic Jungle Animals! Learn about the various animals and have a chance to pet or hold them. Free ice cream at the end of the program. FREE, but space is limited, so RSVP.
August 25 — Riverfront Relaxin’ {Detroit} — Enjoy live music, classic movies, food trucks and games at West Riverfront Park. This day’s movie is A Hard Day’s Night and music will be provided by The BackBeats {Beatles Tribute Band}.
August 25 — Summer Fun Thursdays at Twelve Oaks {Novi} — Visit Twelve Oaks for weekly, family-friendly fun in August. This week’s theme is Bubbleologist: Ron Loyd. Presented by Childtime and Tutor Time Child Care Learning Centers. FREE.
August 27 — SummerFest at Kensington Woods High School {Lakeland} — This event is open to the public and features games, bounce houses, arts & crafts, face painting, prizes, music, food and more. FREE.
August 27 — Kid’s Day at White Lotus Farms {Ann Arbor} — Come get a taste of farm life and meet the animals who give us delicious eggs and cheese. Goat milking demonstrations, baby goats, music, food, and face painting fill the day with fun. 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. FREE entry.
August 28 — Summer Sundays at Upland Hills Farm {Oxford} — Enjoy all of the farm animals, a farmer will be in the barn to help the brave ones milk a cow, hayrides will be going out regularly, bring a picnic lunch or purchase food at the concession, and pony rides are available. 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. $8/person.
August 31 — End of Summer Bash {Westland} — Visit Central City park for plenty of fun including kid’s activities, hot dogs, chips, police/fire vehicles and more. FREE. {Thanks for the tip, Wes!}
What are you most looking forward to this month?
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