Starts in January, 2009: Motown 50 (Motown's 50th Anniversary Celebration)
website: www.motown50.com
A year long national celebration of the start of Motown Records on Jan 12, 1959, in Detroit and the following success of its many music artists. Surprisingly, no big events for the Detroit area have been announced - just the usual Hitsville tours and book signings.

January 11-25, 2009: North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
official website: www.naias.com
One of the premier international auto shows in the world! Public Show is where you get to see it all.

January 16-18 and Jan 23-25, 2009: Tip Up Town USA ( TUT ) at Houghton Lake (northern part of lower peninsula).
official website: www.tip-up-townusa.com
Friday through Sunday both weekends. "Largest Winter Festival in Michigan, held annually the last two weekends in January." Grand Parade, Fireworks, ice fishing contest, polar bear dip, snowmobile display-rides-racing, coed softball on ice, ice slide, motorcycle ice racing, ice carving, ice sculpture contest, chainsaw carving, carnival rides and games, beverage tent, winter fashion show, turkey & chicken bowling, bed race, kids rides & games, garage sale, scavenger hunt, poker run, Tip Up Town Queen, Mayor and Marshall, more.

January 21-25, 2009 (wed-sun): Zehnder's Snowfest 2009 in Frankenmuth (Mid/Central Lower Peninsula).
official website: www.zehnders.com/new-site/snowfest
This event also features the Michigan Apple Pie Contest. Snowfest is one of the top annual ice and snow sculpting events in North America featuring professional ice and snow carvers from around the world. International Snow Carving, Snow Sculpting Competitions, Ice Carving Competitions, Annual Fireworks Display, Annual Chef's Hot Food Competition and Tasting, Children's Play Area and Petting Zoo, and entertainment for the entire family.

January 23-25, 2009 (fri-sun): Plymouth International Ice Sculpture Spectacular in Plymouth, Michigan, USA (Just West of Detroit) [official info]. 27th annual event will feature over 100 statues carved from a single block of ice; numerous multiple block sculptures utilizing from 5 to 100 blocks; dozens of high school, community college, university, and professional ice carvers crafting dazzling statues from 330-pound blocks of ice and a series of special homecoming events. Carvers from Japan as well as United States Champion Carvers will all be dazzling guests with their unique works of art.

January 23-31, 2009: Ferndale Metro Blues Festival - 8th Annual in Ferndale (just north of Detroit).
official websites: www.ferndalebluesfestival.org and www.myspace.com/ferndalebluesfestival
Live Blues for 9 days at 22 Venues. On Friday and Saturday nights, there will be a shuttle bus running between all the venues. Festival donates proceeds to charity.

January 30-31, 2009 (fri-sat): Ann Arbor Folk Festival at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor.
official website: theark.org/ann_arbor_folk_festival.html
The Ark's largest annual fundraising event will celebrate its 31st year with some of the finest in traditional and contemporary artists.

FEBRUARY 2009

February 6-8, 2009 (fri-sun): Perchville USA - 59th Annual in Tawas (Lower Peninsula East Shoreline, More Than Halfway Up). info when available. Kick-Off Party, Parade, Fishing Contest, "Chilly" Cook-off, Polar Bear Swim, family tent with lots of stuff for kids, hospitality tent with beer/wine and live entertainment for adults, softball games on ice, IWPA Dog Pull features dogs from all over the USA, horse-drawn carriage rides, more.

February 6-8, 2009 (fri-sun): Detroit's Winter Blast - Downtown at Campus Martius Park.
official website: www.winterblast.com
5th year. Free public ice skating, Professional skating demonstrations, ice sculptures in an Ice Garden, Two Music Stages with more than 50 entertainment acts performing, One Stage for Movement DJs Electronic Music, Bar Blast, Wine Tasting, kids zone, more.

February 7, 2009 (sat): International 500 Snowmobile Race (I-500) in Sault Ste. Marie (U.P./Upper Peninsula).
official website: www.i-500.com
42nd Annual. "Known throughout North America as the Oldest and Fastest snowmobile race around."

February 14-22, 2009: Detroit Boat Show in Detroit. [info page].
51st Annual. The "Premier" boating event in the State of Michigan. "The Detroit Boat Show is actually known as one of the best boat shows in the country in regards to size, sales, and attendance."

TBA Feb 2009 (sat): Outhouse Races - Trenary Outhouse Classic in Trenary (U.P. - Upper Peninsula).
info when available. Annual event. It's true - people really build and race outhouses on skis! age categories, plus awards for adults peoples choice, most humorous, furthest travelled, best workmanship, others. (race is held annually on the last Saturday in Feb.)

February 28 - March 1, 2009 (sat-sun): Detroit Kennel Club Benched Dog Shows in Detroit.
official website: www.detroitkennelclub.com

MARCH 2009

March 4-7, 2009 (wed-sat): Metro Times Blowout - 12th Annual in Hamtramck (north of Downtown Detroit).
official website: www.metrotimes.com/blowout
Probably the largest local music fest in the U.S., showcasing about 200 Local Michigan Bands at 15 venues over 4 nights. Tickets (wristband) are just $20 each and gets you into each venue, every night including the Launch Party on wednesday. Enjoy this All Local, Big-Time, Music Slavin', Bar-Hopping good time!

March 6-8, 2009 (fri-sun): The Michigan Golf Show in Novi (northwest of Detroit).
official website: www.michigangolfshow.com
Held at the Rock Financial Showplace, The Nation's Largest Golf Show. Over 500 local, national and world-wide resorts, retailers and specialty exhibitors. Admission for Adults $10, Children 12 and under get in free.

March 6-8, 2009 (fri-sun): Detroit AutoRama in Detroit.
official website: www.autorama.com/casi/show/detroit.html
56th Annual. "America's Greatest Hot Rod Show", held at Cobo Center.

March 20-30, 2009: ATTEMPT TO SET A NEW WORLD RECORD FOR NON-STOP LIVE MUSIC
Breaking the Guinness Book of World Records for Longest Concert by Multiple Artists
What: "Assembly Line Concert" in Ferndale, about one mile north of Detroit.
10 days, 240 Hours, continuous music 24/7 (maybe longer than 240 hours!). current record is 116 hrs.
Where: AJ's Music Cafe at 240 W Nine Mile, Ferndale, MI 48220 (near 9 Mile & Woodward). 248-399-3946
Needed: as many Bands and Musicians as possible, good or bad. And lots of party people.
official website with details, plus sign-up & rules → Assembly Line Concert (a tribute to The American Worker)

This world record attempt will be webcast all across the nation. And... We have been challenged by another venue in another state which is going for the same record at the same time, attempting to best us. They have a mall and an entire town behind them. We have a music cafe and magnificent Michigan Bands and Musicians!

March 24-29, 2009 (tue-sun): Ann Arbor Film Festival in Ann Arbor.
official website: www.aafilmfest.org
47th Annual. independent & experimental film.

APRIL 2009

April 4 & 6, 2009 (sat & mon): NCAA Men's Final 4 and Basketball Championship in Downtown Detroit.
Held at Ford Field. For info, events and tickets: NCAA Official Site and 2009 NCAA Final Four Detroit
Madman Mike is rooting for MSU (Michigan State University). Go Spartans!

April 10, 2009 (fri): Detroit Tigers Home Opener at Comerica Park in Downtown Detroit.
Tigers detroit.tigers.mlb.com are in Major League Baseball MLB

April 15, 2009 (wed): National TEA Party Day Rally - the Taxed Enough Already (TEA) party rallies are held in many cities and places throughout Michigan, including Lansing. To find a TAX Day TEA party rally near you, use locations tab on www.teapartyday.com

April 16, 2009 (thu): Detroit Red Wings NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Start in Detroit.
First Round: Detroit defeated Columbus Blue Jackets. Wings redwings.nhl.com are in the National Hockey League NHL. home games are at Joe Louis Arena (JLA, The Joe) in Downtown Detroit.

April 17, 2009 (fri): Detroit Music Awards - DMA Ceremony & Show in Detroit at the Fillmore Detroit.
official website: www.detroitmusicawards.com
Public is invited with general admission only $20, details and scheduled performers will be posted on website. RSVP's up to $1,000 for a VIP table. It's a Big Time Annual Awards Ceremony put on by the Motor City Music Foundation. This night is all about meeting and congratulating our incredibly talented local musicians in grand style! It's a glorious night of award presentations and live performances. For information regarding eligibility, submissions, registering, voting, tickets, List of Winners (Congrats!), click official website link. The Fillmore Detroit was formerly known as the State Theatre.

April 18, 2009 (sat): SASHA Farm Animal Sanctuary 7th Annual Benefit Banquet in Berkley (a few miles north of Detroit) at Farina's Banquet Center, 2485 Coolidge Highway, Berkley, MI 48072.
full info: sashafarm.org/calendar/banquet.htm.
$60 per person, advance tickets only, no tickets at the door. SASHA (Sanctuary And Safe Haven for Animals) Farm, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is the Midwest's largest farm animal sanctuary. All proceeds from the event go to helping the 200+ animals who reside happily at the sanctuary. Auction, Dinner, Guest Speaker. Donations are fully tax-deductible. For more information, visit link above or contact Bob Harvie at 248-676-2033.

April 18, 2009 (sat): Detroit Pistons NBA Playoffs Start
First Round: Detroit vs Cleveland, starting in Cleveland. Pistons www.nba.com/pistons are in the National Basketball Association NBA. Home games are played at The Palace of Aurburn Hills located northwest of Detroit.

MAY 2009

May 2, 2009 (sat): Victorian Day in Grand Ledge (just west of Lansing).
official website: www.victoriandays.org
Annual event on the first Saturday in May features a non-motorized parade, carriage rides, arts & crafts displays, period craft demonstrations, a Civil War Encampment, a Victorian Funeral symposium, a Victorian High Tea, street music, drama and food, miniature horses, Teddybear Tea and Maypole dance for the kiddies, more. In 2009 we will be graced by a visit from Queen Victoria.

May 2-9, 2009 (sat-sat): Tulip Time Festival - 77th Annual in Holland, MI (West Michigan).
Holland Tulip Festival official website: www.tuliptime.com
Parades, Klompen Dancers (nearly 1,700 total dancers), music and variety shows from headline entertainers to the remarkably talented local folk, a Dutch market, an art and craft fair, fireworks, an outdoor carnival, trolley tours, more.

May 14-17, 2009 (thu-sun): 49th Annual National Morel Mushroom Festival in Boyne City (Northwest Lower Peninsula). official website: www.morelfest.com
Carnival, crafts show, mushroom hunts, cooking demonstrations, morel seminar, annual mushroom pole, farmer's market, two concerts, disc golf tournament, more.

May 15-17, 2009 (fri-sun): 2009 WYCD Detroit Downtown Hoedown - in downtown Detroit.
official information will be on: wycd.com
27th Annual. 99.5 WYCD Country Music Fest includes established & new artists "and is widely recognized as the largest Country Music show of its kind in the world." held at Hart Plaza. List of performers and schedule will be posted on website.

May 15-17, 2009 (fri-sun): Motor City Comic Con in Novi.
official website: www.motorcityconventions.com/motor_city_comic_con
Annual "multi-media event with over 1 million comics and collectables for sale and trade. "Comic books, writers, artists, anime, gaming, special guests, and more. Convention held at the Rock Financial Showplace.

May 23-25, 2009 (sat-mon): Detroit's Electronic Music Festival (Movement 09) - in Downtown Detroit.
official website: www.demf.com
Annual internationally recognized Memorial Day weekend event produced by Paxahau. List of performers will be posted on schedule page of website. Event was formerly known as "FUSE-in: Detroit's Electronic Movement" and "Detroit Techno Fest".

JUNE 2009

To find most fireworks shows in Michigan, click: Fireworks Displays in Michigan for 2009
search by date or by city. This annually updated database is the most impressive list that Mike can find.

June 5-7, 2009 (fri-sun): Festival of the Arts - Grand Rapids (West MI).
official website: www.festivalofthearts.org
The 40th. it's an annual event known as "Festival". A FREE community showcase of the arts: visual, performing & culinary West Michigan artists. The area's bands, choirs, rock, folk, country, blues - the works. Food booths operated by area churches and nonprofit organizations. Touch art.

June 6-21, 2009: Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival in Southeast Michigan.
official website: www.greatlakeschambermusic.com
annual event. approximately 20 concerts, various locations.

June 11-14, 2009 (thu-sun): Bavarian Festival 2009 - 51st Annual in Frankenmuth (Mid-MI).
official information: Bavarian Fest
Authentically dressed German bands, rides, games, dance music, craft area, German foods and plenty of ice-cold beer - imported and domestic. Each year, over 100,000 people enjoy the annual Sunday Big Parade, which is being held on June 15th.

June 12 - July 5, 2009: Ann Arbor Summer Festival in Ann Arbor.
official website: www.annarborsummerfestival.org
Jazz superstars, Motown legends, Broadway hoofers, soul revivalists, daredevil acrobats, downtown DJs, more. From alternative folk to improv comedy to experimental fringe, the 2009 season showcases a variety of headlining talent alongside some of today's up-and-coming young artists. Held at various locations, need to pay admission for most performances.

June 13-14, 2009 (sat-sun): Red Bull Air Race above the Detroit River between Detroit & Windsor. Host city is Windsor, Ontario (Canada). Red Bull Air Race World Series 2009 is in only six cities worldwide. "Using the fastest, most agile and lightweight racing planes, pilots navigate a low-level aerial race track made up of air-filled pylons, reaching speeds of 400 km/h while withstanding forces of up to 10 Gs." www.redbullairrace.com.

June 17-21, 2009 (wed-sun): Miss Michigan Pageant & Finals in Muskegon (West MI).
official website: www.missmichigan.org
Finals June 21st. "Our mission is to provide educational opportunities to many young women across the State of Michigan." Tickets Preliminary Nights $30, Final Night $30.

June 18-20, 2009 (thu-sat): Benny's Bike Rally in Midland (Mid-MI).
official website: www.bennysbikerally.org
Annual three day motorcycle rally held rain or shine. Flat Track Motorcycle Race, Rebel Girls Bikini Contest, $500 Poker Run, American Hellriders Wall of Death, bike games, live bands, more. weekend tickets $65 advance $55, daily $25, camp sites also available/extra. part of the proceeds go to charity.

June 19-21, 2009 (fri-sun): Belleville National Strawberry Festival in Belleville (west of Detroit).
official website: www.nationalstrawberryfest.com
33rd annual. parade, carnival, car show, music and other entertainment, arts & crafts, marathon race and more every Father's Day weekend.

June 19-20, 2009 (fri-sat): 14th annual Island Festival in Downtown Kalamazoo (West MI).
official websites: www.islandfestkalamazoo.com and www.myspace.com/islandfestival
Annual. Reggae music includes "international, national, regional, and local talent and is the largest celebration of the Caribbean culture in Michigan."

June 19-20, 2009 (fri-sat): Hot Blues and BBQ / Detroit Blues Challenge in Oxford (north of Detroit). official website: www.hotbluesandbbq.com
5th annual Competition and Show, this year has Free Admission Both Days. 3 events, kickoff concert Friday evening, Detroit Blues Challenge starting at noon on Saturday, core festival begins at 4pm on Saturday. Event is part of a series of competitions in which winning acts advance to the next round, with the ultimate goal of sending one band from Metro Detroit to the National Blues Competition in Memphis, Tenn.

June 19-21, 2009 (fri-sun): Detroit River Days in Downtown Detroit at the Riverfront.
official website: www.detroitriverdays.com
music stage, parade of lights, kids zone, Coast Guard Days, more.

June 19-21, 2009 (fri-sun): Arab American International Festival in Dearborn (west side of Detroit).
information website: www.americanarab.com/festival
14th Annual. 3-day event is a free, family-centered cultural celebration that will attract over 300,000 people from Michigan, the Midwest, and Canada. It boasts a great number of amusements, live musical acts-both local and international, 30 international food booths, coffee cup readings, henna, arts and crafts, a children's tent, artisans, Arab merchandise, a giant old-fashioned Ferris wheel, more.

June 20, 2009 (sat): Cruisin' Gratiot in Eastpointe (just north of Detroit).
official website: www.Cruisin-Gratiot.com
Annual car cruise. a week long celebration of automotive history, tradition, memorabilia, car shows, Idol Contest, Guitar Hero Contest, and family outings leading up to officially Cruisin' Gratiot.

June 20, 2009 (sat): International Tug Boat Race on the Detroit River between Detroit & Windsor.
official website: www.tugrace.com
Annual. "As many as 30 tugs of all sizes race in a mad dash for the finish line. Tugs ranging in length from 45 to 140 feet compete at the same time, all muscling for the best position. Some of the larger tugs are actual working tugs with more than 2,000 horsepower, the Detroit River boils as the tugs create a huge wake."

June 24, 2009 (wed): Detroit Fireworks (51st Annual Target Fireworks) in Downtown Detroit on the Riverfront.
official info: www.theparade.org/riverdays.php
Michigan's largest fireworks display. This was originally scheduled for Monday, June 22nd, but moved to Wednesday the 24th. Including across the river in Windsor, Canada, about one million people will see this fireworks display.

June 26, 2009 (fri): JobbieNooner (Jobbie Nooner I) at Gull Island on Lake St. Clair (northeast of Detroit).
info: jobbienooner.com [for adults only, must be 18+] and www.myspace.com/jobbienooner
Annual Mardi Gras style boats and island party. Jobbienooners are Adult, 18yrs and older events. It's a wild good time traditionally held on the 1st Friday of Summer.
Need Mardi Gras Beads for JobbieNooner? See a great selection including Glow Beads → Click Here

June 26-28, 2009 (fri-sun): Michigan Challenge Balloonfest (Michigan Challenge XXV) in Howell.
official website: www.michiganchallenge.com
25th Annual. One of the premier summer-time activities in Michigan with balloon launches and entertainment for the entire family.

June 26-28, 2009 (fri-sun): Stars and Stripes Festival in Mount Clemens (north of Detroit).
official website: www.starsandstripesfest.com    additional info: www.myspace.com/funfestproductions
Annual Festival is FREE to the public and features a full carnival, nationally known and local music acts, art displays, fireworks, food vendors, more.

June 27, 2009 (sat): Cruisin' Downriver - 10th Annual - just south of Detroit.
official website: www.cruisindownriver.com
Cruise Fort Street through the cities of Lincoln Park, Riverview, Southgate, and Wyandotte. 500,000 car buffs and enthusiasts are expected.

June 28, 2009 (sun): Livonia Spree Grand Finale Fireworks Extravaganza - in Livonia, just west of Detroit.
official website: www.livoniaspree.com/Spree/Fireworks.html
Annual 30-minutes fireworks show concludes a week long celebration of founding of the city. Night includes live bands, daytime has a carnival.

Detroit Festival of the Arts in Detroit - skipping 2009, back in 2010.
official website: www.detroitfestival.com
2009 cancelled due to area construction but the 22nd will return in 2010. Annual family friendly festival presents outstanding visual and performing artists from around the world, while showcasing the city's premier arts and cultural institutions clustered within its boundaries.

Cereal Festival and World's Longest Breakfast Table in Battle Creek - skipping 2009.
official website: www.bcfestivals.com
Battle Creek Cereal Festival is taking a one-year hiatus.

To find most fireworks shows in Michigan, click: Fireworks Displays in Michigan for 2009
search by date or by city. This annually updated database is the most impressive list that Mike can find.

JULY 2009

July 1-5, 2009 (wed-sun): Comerica CityFest 2009 [formerly called Comerica TasteFest] in Detroit.
official website: www.newcenter.com/cityfest/info.htm
Annual event has lots of food, with national and local music performers.

July 2-5, 2009 (thu-sun): Rothbury Music Festival in Rothbury (Western MI).
official website: www.rothburyfestival.com
2nd fest to be held at the Double JJ Ranch. Many music genres featuring a lot of national and local music acts. Tickets cost $345 (plus fees and other charges), a ticket layaway program is available up to April 15th.

July 4-11, 2009 (sat-sat): National Cherry Festival in Traverse City.
official website: www.cherryfestival.org
84th. over 150 events, including free air shows over the Bay, colorful parades, music shows, sporting events, marching bands, rides on the midway, pie-eating contests, loads of luscious cherries prepared every way you can imagine and a world record attempt to host the world's largest cherry pancake breakfast!"

July 6-12, 2009 (mon-sun): Common Ground Music Festival in downtown Lansing.
official website: www.commongroundfest.com
"The featured component of Common Ground - top-shelf, national musical performers - will occupy two (2) main stages each night. Keeping with the design of the event, the headline shows will spotlight numerous contemporary musical formats including: Country, Classic Rock, New Rock and R&B. While the best available national talent will top-off each night of the festival, a variety of local, regional and other national performers will ignite other festival stages with non-stop music of all kinds throughout the Festival."

TBA 2009 (thu-sun): Meijer Taylor Summer Festival in Taylor.
two information pages: info page 1 and info page 2
annual event. Downriver's largest fireworks display, music concerts, carnival rides, Vegas room, more.

July 10-11, 2009 (fri-sat): Michigan Elvisfest 2009 in Ypsilanti.
official website: www.mielvisfest.org
Annual event. "One of The Largest Elvisfest Concerts in North America! This not a contest but a true concert with spectacular performances, from the first act to the last act, by the best professional Elvis Tribute Artists in North America."

July 10-12, 2009 (fri-sun): Gold Cup (Unlimited Hydroplane Boat Race) on Detroit River between Detroit & Windsor. official website: www.gold-cup.com
Big-Time Annual event, official title: Chyrsler Jeep Superstores Detroit APBA Gold Cup. Unlimited Hydroplane Boat Racing on the Detroit River includes other hydroplane classes.

July 15-18, 2009 (wed-sat): Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair in Ann Arbor.
official web page: www.michiganguild.org/art_fair_summer.html
Annual Event. "award-winning juried fair features ceramics, painting, jewelry, sculpture, photography, glass, wood, fiber and much more. Fairgoers can also enjoy lively street corner entertainment, artists' demonstrations, children's activities and the distinctive shops and restaurants of Ann Arbor." For information about additional art fairs sponsored by the Michigan Guild, click here

July 16-19, 2009 (thu-sun): Annual Venetian Festival in St. Joseph (Southwest MI)
official website: www.venetian.org
Fireworks, canival rides, concerts & live entertainment, food: "Taste for Southwest Michigan", Lighted Boat Parade and judging, Classic Boat Display and judging, juried crafts show, classic car show, various competitions, kids area, more.

July 16-25, 2009: Ionia Free Fair 2009 (Ionia Fair) in Ionia.
official website: www.ioniafreefair.com
"the 49th Largest Fair in the Nation". Ionia Idol Competition, concerts from national and local acts, contests, carnival rides, national championship horsepulling, extreme bull riding, Demo scramble & derby, more.

July 17-19, 2009 (fri-sun): Jackson Hot Air Jubilee (Balloon Festival) in Jackson (Mid-MI).
official website: www.hotairjubilee.com
27th Annual. 65-70 Hot Air Balloons, morning launches, Balloon Night Glow at Dusk - Tethered balloons put on a spectacular light show. Plus Arts and Crafts show, car show, stunt kite demonstrations, Kids' Kingdom, kiddies carnival rides, radio controlled airplanes and cars, static aircraft displays, antique military displays, live entertainment.

July 17-19, 2009 (fri-sun): Quake on the Lake in Waterford. (northwest of Detroit)
official website: www.quakeonthelake.org
9th Annual. Inboard hydroplane boat races.

July 22-25, 2009 (wed-sat): National Baby Food Festival 2009 (NBFF) in Fremont ("Baby Food Capital of the World"). official website: www.babyfoodfest.com
Annual event, features a Grand Parade, Children's Parade, Carnival, Baby Food Cook-Off with cash prizes, the Baby Crawl, a daily Kid's Zone with arts and crafts activity, contests, musicians, clowns, more. Grown-Ups: Karaoke Contest, Headliner Entertainment, Bed Race, 5 and 10K run, Arts and Crafts Show, Car Show, Adult Baby Food Eating Contest, more.

July 24 to August 2, 2009: Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven (West MI).
official website: www.ghcgfest.org
Annual event Dedicated to the Men & Women of the United States Coast Gaurd.

July 24, 2009 (fri): Boat Night in Port Huron - Port Huron to Mackinac Island prerace bash.

July 25, 2009 (sat start date): Port Huron To Mackinac Island Sailing Race 2009 (Bayview Mackinac Race)
official website: www.byc.com - Mackinac Race info page - future dates
"One of the greatest freshwater long distance yacht races in the World." also known as the Bayview Mackinac Races, Port Huron to Mackinac Yacht Race.

July 25, 2009 (sat): Telegraph Tomorrow Classic Car Cruise (Telegraph Cruise / Cruisin Telegraph) in Taylor, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Redford. Telegraph Car Cruise info: City of Taylor Info - date. This cruise was formerly called "Cruizin' Telegraph".

TBA 2009 (fri-sat): Annual Summer Beer Festival in Ypsilanti.
official website: www.michiganbrewersguild.org/festinfo.asp
11th Annual in 2008. Drink Michigan Beer!

July 30 - Aug 1, 2009 (thu-sat): Sterlingfest Art and Jazz Fair - 28th in Sterling Heights (just north of Detroit). Sterlingfest mixes the tradition of an arts & crafts fair with a jazz and blues stage, Top 40, a Suds'n'Sounds stage, Kidzfest children's activities and entertainment stage, a family midway, annual Sterlingfest Balloon Launch, local restaurateurs and a main national headliner stage.

July 30 - Aug 2, 2009 (thu-sun): Woodtick Music Festival in the U.P.
official website: www.woodtickfestival.com
annual "Woodtick Music Festival is a home-grown, Upper Peninsula style shindig featuring a variety of regional and not so regional bands who all have one thing in common .... they're damn good!"

TBA July 2009: Selfridge Air Show in Mt. Clemens (north of Detroit).
"Southeast Michigan's largest FREE airshow." website: www.selfridgeairshow.org

AUGUST 2009

Detroit Grand Prix - Cancelled - formerly held in Detroit on Belle Isle (Detroit River).
official website: www.detroitgp.com
2009 cancelled due to the economy, 2010 also in doubt. This former auto racing event started with American LeMans Series racing then culminating with the IndyCar® Series Grand Prix.

August 1, 2009 (sat): Riverfolk Music & Arts Festival in Manchester (a little southwest of Ann Arbor).
official website: riverfolkfestival.org
Annual. Traditional folk, bluegrass and world music that continues to evolve, new creative artists, an array of music and dance workshops, old time fiddle contest, giant mural paintings, stage shows and wonders for the kids that include instrument-making, face painting, water maze, origami and craft work area, rain sticks, drum circles, a kids' parade, more. Festival features an art show with visual artists sharing creations of jewelry, painting, instrument making, stained glass, pottery, more.

August 2, 2009 (sun): Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance 2009 in Rochester Hills (north of Detroit).
official website: www.meadowbrookconcours.org
30th. The World's Best Exhibition of Antique & Classic Collector Automobiles. Not just a car show - it is an entire week of events that celebrate the lifestyle and legacy of our automotive heritage. 30th Anniversary show will feature “The Best of Detroit”, The 100th Anniversary of Morgan and a celebration of British Sports Cars, “The Class of 1959”, Hispano Suiza, Packard V-12, 40th Anniversary of McLaren Engine Race Cars, Featured Museum – The Gilmore Museum, Swoopy Coupes and British motorcycles.

August 7-9, 2009 (fri-sun): Great Lakes Folk Festival in East Lansing.
official website: www.greatlakesfolkfest.net
Annual FREE festival "showcases the traditional cultural treasures of the nation's Upper Midwest and a sampling of the best of traditional artists from around the country and the world, encourages cross-cultural understanding of our diverse society through the presentation of musicians, dancers, cooks, storytellers and craftspeople. includes 100 musicians or dancers in groups, five performance stages."

August 7-9, 2009 (fri-sun): Milford Memories Summer Festival in Milford (northwest of Detroit).
official website: www.milfordmemories.com
Annual event. Juried Art show with over 260 artists and crafters from across the United States and Canada displaying and selling their work. Lots of Live Music and Entertainment, Kid Central Activity Area, Beer Tent, Civil War Encampment, 5K & 10K Run, Hot Pepper Eating Contest, Cold Butt Euchre, Remote Control Car Races, Blind Canoe Race, more. Event has Shuttle Bus service.

August 14-16, 2009 (fri-sun): St. Johns Mint Festival - 25th Annual in St. Johns City Park (Mid-MI).
official website: www.clintoncountychamber.org/mint
in Clinton County. Approximately 150 arts & crafts booths, 5 sports tournaments, Free day & evening entertainment, Talent Show, Kids World (crafts & games all weekend), Exotic Animals, Senior Citizens Day, Quilt Show, Tractor Show, Classic Car Show, New Vehicle Show, Horse Show, Inflatables/Carnival Rides, more.

August 15, 2009 (sat): WOODWARD DREAM CRUISE on Woodward Ave from Detroit's north border to Pontiac.
official website: www.woodwarddreamcruise.com
THE World's Biggest, Best and Most Famous Car Cruise, the greatest one-day car event in the world. It is held annually every third saturday in August, is 16 miles long and goes through several cities just north of Detroit. Event is now about 9 days long with many associated and pre-cruise events all over Metro Detroit and draws over one million people each year.

Woodward Dream Cruise - WDC - associated and related links ...
Ferndale Dream Cruise Retrofest - at 9 Mile & Woodward, friday through sunday of WDC.
Cruisin' MotorCities - whole week of the WDC, various events and places.

TBA 2009 (fri-sun): African World Festival in Downtown Detroit. info when available. Annual event held the third weekend of August at Hart Plaza.

August 15 - Oct 4, 2009: Michigan Renaissance Festival 2009 in Holly.
official website: www.michrenfest.com
Annual event. Festival is held on weekends and Labor Day, rain or shine. "visitors may also partake in games of skill or enjoy non-stop entertainment where belly dancers, sword swallowers, musicians, comedians and sword fighters provide merriment for all ages. The Festival is best known for it's awe-inspiring full-contact armored jousting tournaments where gallant knights defend their honor until the last man is standing!"

August 28 to September 7, 2009: Michigan State Fair 2009 in Detroit.
official website: www.michigan.gov/mistatefair
Annual Celebration, 103 years. Circus, daily parades, 60+ rides, livestock pavilion & shows, farm exhibit and live farm animal births, petting zoo, pony rides, free concerts featuring national acts & local, lumberjacks timber show, all kinds of contests and competitions, plus lots of food, art & crafts, much more.

SEPTEMBER 2009

TBA 2009 (fri-mon): Chrysler Arts, Beats & Eats in Pontiac.
official website: www.artsbeatseats.com
11th annual in 2008, Oakland County's Summer Festival. "approximately 1.3 million visitors, 200 musical acts on 8 stages, over 150 artists, more than 50 restaurants." held every Labor Day Weekend.

September 4-7, 2009 (fri-mon): Detroit International Jazz Festival in Detroit on the Riverfront.
official website: www.detroitjazzfest.com
Free Admission. 29th annual Detroit Jazz Fest. Six stages, Jazz & American music.

TBA 2009 (fri-mon): Hamtramck Labor Day Festival in Hamtramck (within Detroit).
official website: www.hamtramckfestival.org
28th in 2008. Hamtramck Festival has more than 500,000 guests yearly as it continually provides the attractions many have come to anticipate during the holiday weekend, including live music, carnival rides, parade on Monday, samplings of ethnic food, cultural dancers, children's activities, more.

Madman Mike's Michigan Halloween Haunts List - The most extensive annually updated linked listings of Haunted Houses and Attractions throughout all of MI. Metro Detroit and Southeast Michigan Haunted Houses to Halloween Attractions in West-Mid-North MI, all on one page. It also has year-round linked listings of Real Ghost Hunters and Paranormal Investigators in Michigan, plus other interesting information.

September 11-13, 2009 (fri-sun): Art & Apples festival - 44th Annual in Rochester (north of Detroit).
official website: www.artandapples.com
Over 100,000 attend The National City Art & Apples Festival which is Michigan's second largest juried fine arts festival and includes over 250 fine art exhibitors, a variety of food, live entertainment, and free kids art activities. It's held annually on the weekend following Labor Day in the scenic 30-acre Rochester Park and serves as a principle fundraiser for Paint Creek Center for the Arts (PCCA), a non-profit art center.

TBA 2009 (sat): Dally in the Alley 2008 in Detroit.
official website: www.dallyinthealley.com
31st Year of this performing arts festival and street fair held annually the Saturday after Labor Day. "One of the only non-corporate sponsored community festivals in the United States". It includes a Local Artist Gallery and features a lot of live music on 4 stages.

September 18-20, 2009 (fri-sun): Michigan Irish Music Festival in Muskegon (West Michigan).
official website: www.michiganirish.org
"Featuring all things Irish... a wide variety of music, the pub tent, market place merchandise, authentic Irish food and beverages"

September 18-20, 2009 (fri-sun): Northville Victorian Festival in Northville (a little northwest of Detroit). [official info] Annual event. "streets will be closed to automobile traffic as townspeople, artists, and business owners turn back the clock and transform themselves into a Victorian Village complete with period costumes, parade, free trackless train and horse and carriage rides, storytellers, magicians, musical entertainment, demonstrations."

TBA 2009: Detroit Shock WNBA Playoffs begin [Detroit Shock website] [WNBA website].
Home games at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Detroit Shock - WNBA (Womens National Basketball Association) Champions in 2003, 2006 and 2008.

OCTOBER 2009

Madman Mike's Wildy Popular Michigan Halloween Haunts List - The most extensive annually updated linked listings of Haunted Houses and Attractions throughout all of MI. Metro Detroit and Southeast Michigan Haunted Houses to Halloween Attractions in West-Mid-North MI, all on one page. It also has year-round linked listings of Real Ghost Hunters and Paranormal Investigators in Michigan, plus other interesting information.

TBA 2009: Great Lakes Regional Chili Cookoff and Harley Davison Motorcycle Show in Plymouth (west of Detroit). For official information: click here. Annual event has streets packed with people. Chili Cook-Off Competition, Restaurant Chili Challenge, Bike Show, Chili Ride, Live Entertainment, Salsa Competition, Children's Activities, proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity.

October 18, 2009 (sun): Detroit Free Press / Flagstar Bank Marathon - Annual running festival in Detroit.
official website: www.detroitfreepressmarathon.com
Over 10,000 participants, it features a full marathon, a half marathon and other assorted runs. Future plans have it on the 3rd Sunday in Oct through 2009.

TBA 2009: Fash Bash in Detroit. [info when available]
Annual Fashion Extravaganza fundraiser benefiting the Detroit Institute of Arts. Strolling supper, live auction, entertainment and afterglow parties. Tickets start around $125 each.

TBA 2009: Annual International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum Induction and Awards in Detroit. 11th in 2007. official websites: www.igmhf.org and www.myspace.com/igmhf

October 31, 2008: Halloween Day. Trick or Treat!

NOVEMBER 2009

TBA 2009 (Nov 15-30, 2008): Deer Hunting (Regular Firearm Season) [official info].

TBA 2009: Annual Lighting of Detroit's Holiday Tree - at Campus Martius Park [info when available].

TBA 2009 (thu): Detroit's Thanksgiving Day Parade (America's Thanksgiving Parade) in Downtown Detroit.
official website: www.theparade.org/index2.php
82nd in 2008. Nationally televised parade filled with award-winning floats, larger than life balloons, bands, celebrities and antique papier-mâché heads.

TBA 2009: Detroit Blues Competition Finals 2009
Final competition to determine musicians to represent Detroit at the International Blues Competition in Memphis early next year.

Looking for Real Reindeer? Enjoy Sleigh Rides? Want to see Santa and Elves?
Madman Mike hooks you up! Get in touch with: Carousel Acres in South Lyon (west of Detroit).

DECEMBER 2009

New to Michigan? Just Visiting? Here is a timely "Heads Up" from Madman Mike.
Annually This Time of Year, the Outstanding and Amazing People of Michigan are known to ...
Do Good Deeds, Be Extra Nice, Spread Goodwill To All, Visit Family and Friends, Do A LOT of Shopping, Impressively Decorate Their Homes, Attend Many Christmas Parties and Wildly Celebrate on New Year's Eve!

Christmas Holiday Events are listed on Mike's Christmas in Michigan page.

February 6-8, 2009: Annual World of Motorcycles Expo - London Ontario, Canada. "everything from new to custom motorcycles, retail dealers, accessories, and services of interest to motorcycle enthusiasts of all descriptions."

TBA 2009: Annual Festival Epicure - in Windsor, Canada. "A Celebration Of Food, Wine and Music presented by Ambassador Bridge and Detroit River Tunnel Partnership."

July 16-19, 2009: Bluesfest International - Annual event in Windsor & London Ontario, Canada.

For Madman Mike to post Big Events and their updates, the following is required.
Name of event, web site or online information page address (url), brief description.

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