Clare County Fair
Aug. 1-6
Clare County Fairgrounds
clarecountyfair.org
Clare County celebreates summers waning days with rides, games, two free circus shows, mud bog, demolition derby and motocross. The festival's centerpiece is a bandstand concert featuring The Band Perry and Kari Lynch.
NativeFest
Aug. 3-5
Ziibiwing Center, Mt. Pleasant
sagchip.org/ziibiwing
Mt. Pleasant celebrates American Indian culture with three days of celebration featuring car bingo, as well as music and comedy performances. The center will also show off its collection "Honoring Our Youth - Part I."
Bikes & Bands
Aug. 6
Gier Park BMX Track, Lansing
zvents.com/lansing-mi/events/show/180521685-bikes-bands-2011
This unique festival features BMX bikers and live rock music. Kids will be able to bring their bikes and use the remodeled track in between races. Seven bands will rock the track while BMXers race and trade tips and tricks.
Isabella County Youth & Farm Fair
Aug. 7-13
Isabella County Fairgrounds
isabellacounty.org/dept/fair
This week-long fair features a carnival, 4-H exhibitors (animals, arts and crafts), as well as musical entertainment. Rides, food vendors, a talent show and many more attractions help make the fair an annual summer celebration.
Frankenmuth Summer Music Festival
Aug. 9-13 and 19-20
Heritage Park
frankenmuthfestivals.com/index.php/summer-music-fest/about-us
Seven days to celebrate music of all kinds including 14 of the nation's top polka groups, along with Polish, German and Solvenian styles, a giant wood floor to accommodate your dancing needs and plenty of food and drinks to choose from. The festival exists for people to party and polka, so bring your dancing shoes.
ROCK the Tridge
Aug. 11
Downtown Midland
downtownmidland.com
A free family event with ROCK Youth Center's Battle of the Bands, rock climbing wall, crafts and other activities. This is your chance to live out your "Cliffhanger" dreams without ever having to leave downtown Midland.
27th Annual Mint Festival
Aug. 12-14
St. Johns City Park/Clinton County Fairgrounds
clintoncountychamber.org/mint-festival
A family oriented weekend festival with a flea market, pony and train rides, sports tournaments, car show, free evening concerts, laser tag, dog shows and a mint cooking contest. Just think of how much poorer the world would be without mint: no mint juleps, no mint chocolate chip ice cream, no mints! Really, come show your appreciation.
Danish Festival
Aug. 18-21
Greenville
danishfestival.org
The 47th annual event to honor the town's Danish history is appropriately themed from the classic tale by Hans Christian Andersen, "The Emperor's Nightingale" along with its theater performance. It's a huge event with karaoke contests, street dances, parades, Danish food, hot air balloons, derby races, and plenty more activities for the family.
Ithaca Hometown FunFest
Aug. 25-27
Downtown Ithaca
ithacami.com
This festival features karaoke contests, bike parade, outdoor movie, craft show, live entertainment, bed race and kid's activities. With live music and food, the Ithaca FunFest promises family friendly fun in celebration of their hometown.
Mason Sun Dried Music Fest
Aug. 26-27
Downtown Mason
masondda.com/Festival-Info.html
A free diverse music event with local rock, jazz, blues, salsa and country bands, along with food, kid's activities, vendors and beverage tent. The diversity of musical talents on display include the Twangtown Prophets, Updraft and the Ballinger Family Band.
5th Annual Harrison Street Fair
Aug. 26-27
Harrison
harrisonchamber.com/events
In downtown Harrison, expect arts & crafts, street vendors, live entertainment, kids' carnival and a silent auction. The festival also includes free antique appraisal, so bring anything old and dusty and re-enact your favorite episode of "Antiques Roadshow."
Bass Camp
Aug. 26-28
Salt River Acres Campground
facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=198997613466990
You'll want some comfortable dance shoes for this three-day electronic fest with four stages and 55 bands (more TBA) ranging from dubstep, house, trance, techno, etc. along with movies for some lax time. Bass Camp promises to be a hot, sweaty raving mess of a weekend, so come prepared to dance and sweat under the sky and stars with 1500 of your closest friends. Camping is available.
Edmore Potato Festival
Aug. 26-28
Edmore
edmore.org
At the end of the day, the potato is the oft-ignored MVP of most meals. This potato celebration celebrates the starch with a music & beer tent, carnival, mixed martial arts competition and a parade.
2011 Sounds of Summer
Fridays at 7 p.m.
Lake Lansing Community Band Shell, Haslett
ingham.org/pk/bandshell/bandshellschedule.htm
(517) 676-2233
Lake Lansing South hosts the free concert series at the band shell concert stage, 1621 Pike St., between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The band shell is next to the tyke track and playground at Lake Lansing Park South. Free parking and admission. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy an eclectic array of music from all over the area. Lineup features: Aug. 5 - Living Soul (Caribbean); Aug. 12 - Belfast Gin and Glen Erin Pipe Band (Irish); Aug. 19 - Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellies; Aug. 26 - Mike Skory and Jeff Baldori (Jazzy Mix).
Muelder International Summer Carillon Recital Series
Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
Beaumont Tower, MSU
msu.edu/~carillon, (517) 432-4066
Michigan State University landmark Beaumont Tower houses a carillon, a giant instrument related to the piano; except instead of strings, the hammers hit bells. The carillon concert series features musicians from around the world playing the unique instrument. The concerts last an hour. Tours of the tower are offered free of charge. Bring a blanket or chair. Featured musicians are: Aug. 3 - Sally Harwood.
East Lansing Summer Concert Series
Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m.
Downtown East Lansing
cityofeastlansing.com/summerconcertseries/
The City of East Lansing hosts the "Summer Concert Series." For seven weeks, live music comes to the downtown on Friday and Saturday nights. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. For Friday night shows, the concerts take place at Fountain Square. Ann Street Plaza hosts the Saturday evening shows. Upcoming acts include: Aug. 5 - Fat Boy & Jive Turkey; Aug. 6 - The Tub Submariners; Aug. 12-14: The Great Lakes Folk Festival.
