May Michigan Event Calendar
Our May calendar is packed full diverse events. It is a sign of much more to come for the Great Lakes State in 2012 and we like to think of May as a bridge to all that fun! By no means listed have we listed all the events happening around the state, so add ones we missed (with links) in the comments below!
Red Bridge by Alanna St. Laurent
“Spring – an experience in immortality.” – Henry D. Thoreau
“An optimist is the human personification of spring.” – Susan J. Bissonette
“Never yet was a springtime, when the buds forgot to bloom.” – Margaret Elizabeth Sangster
“If we were flowers, We would worship the sun” – Jon Anderson
Fast Facts – from Wikipedia
- May’s birthstone is the emerald which means love or success. Its birth flower is the Lily of the Valley and the Crataegus monogyna.
- May is the fifth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. It is also a month within the northern season of spring.
- The month may have been named for the Greek goddess Maia, who was identified with the Roman era goddess of fertility, Bona Dea, whose festival was held in May.
- In both common and leap years, no other month begins on the same day of the week as May. This month and June are the only two months that have this.
Check below for things to do and places to go and also see the Pure Michigan May Event Roundup.
May 1-5
Blossomtime Festival – Benton Harbor
The Blossomtime Festival began in 1906 and is an annual celebration of southwest Michigan’s agricultural heritage. This multi-community event spans 25 communities and is the oldest festival in the state. A highlight is the 2 hour Grand Floral Parade with floats of community queens and their courts, bands, clowns, costumed characters, antique cars and special units.
May 3-5
Jackson Storyfest – Jackson
Organized by volunteers and supported by generous foundations, businesses and individuals, Jackson Storyfest has offered a free weekend of storytelling for more than twenty years. Annually, over 5,000 students visit downtown Jackson to hear stories by national, regional and local tellers as they weave their magic at various downtown locations.
May 4-5
Green Street Fair – Plymouth
Green Street Fair was founded to help educate and inform people of all ages about the benefits of green, organic, and eco-friendly products and services. To promote global interest and personal well-being, the Green Street Fair blends companies, artisans, entertainers, workshops and speakers together in a friendly and family-oriented outdoor environment. In 2011, over 200 exhibitors and 30 sponsors were on-site showcasing, demonstrating and selling eco-friendly, organic, and green products.
May 5
Cinco de Mayo – Imlay City
The streets of Imlay City will be alive with Hispanic music, art, crafts, food and entertainment as they celebrate Cinco de Mayo. It’s a celebration of the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at The Battle of Puebla in 1862.
May 5
La Fleche du Nord – Houghton
The toughest day of cycling this side of Belgium is a 76 mile point-to-point ride from Houghton to the top of Brockway Mountain with a post-ride fest in Copper Harbor.
May 5-6
Spring Sip & Savor Wine Tour – Leelanau Peninsula
Celebrate the return of spring to the vineyards with food & wine pairings at 19 wineries and the fabulous Sip ‘o de Mayo hat contest with tons of prizes. A great chance to learn about wine and have a lot of fun that helps benefit migrant education in northern Michigan.
May 5-12
Tulip Time Festival – Holland
The Tulip Time Festival is a celebration of Dutch heritage and culture, a multi-generational event that has a little bit of something for everyone including; 3 amazing parades, multiple Dutch Dance performances, concerts, theatre, Dutch attractions, Dutch food, children’s events, trolley tours and so much more!
May 6
Kalamazoo Marathon – Kalamazoo
The 26.2 mile race takes place on Mother’s Day, with other weekend races including the Borgess Half Marathon, Borgess 5K Run, Priority Health 5K Walk and Meijer Kids Fun Run on Friday, May 4.
May 11-13
Mushroom Festival – Mesick
Mesick is billed as the mushroom capital in the United States. Head over and enjoy their adventurous fun filled days, for people of all ages. Carnival rides for the thrill seekers, crafts and hobbies or flea market for treasure hunters, ball games for the players. Several contests for mushroom hunters, lucky duck race, horseshoe toss, horse pull.
May 13
Mother’s Day – All Over Michigan!
Celebrate your mother and mothers everywhere!
May 15th, 2012
Opening Day of Walleye Season
Statewide!
May 17-20
Morel Mushroom Festival – Boyne City
Each May for over 50 years, Boyne City fills with hundreds of mushroom lovers from around the country who come seeking that elusive delicacy-the marvelous morel. Includes the fabulous “Taste of Morels”, all kinds of entertainment and fun for all ages, guided hunts and much more.
May 18-20
Durand Railroad Days – Durand
Durand Railroad Days was established in 1975 to pay tribute to the rail industry that helped develop the nation and was responsible for the settlement of Durand late in the 1870s. What started as a small hometown celebration with a few rides for children, has grown into a celebration that covers the entire downtown area.
May 18-20
Empire Asparagus Festival – Empire
The lakeshore village of Empire greets the arrival of asparagus season with parade, good food, wine & beer, dancing and an annual poetry contest for the best “Ode to Asparagus.” For more information click on the web site link or call (231) 326-6081.
May 19
MIS Great Lakes Wine Fest – Brooklyn
Join wineries, meaderies, cideries & breweries from all over the state at the Michigan International Speedway for a chance to taste and enjoy the fruits of Michigan!
May 19
Annual Big Bay Relay – Marquette to Big Bay
This race has brought in 50+ teams comprised of elite runners to a team of friends that just like to get out and have an adventure together to run from Marquette to Big Bay. Divisions include: All female, all male and mixed team divisions, as well as a junior division. Race begins at River Sports Complex, Marquette, and ends at Perkins Park, Big Bay.
May 19
Romeo Victorian Festival – Romeo
On Saturday, May 19, from 9am to 6pm, the historic village of Romeo will host their Seventh Annual Victorian Festival. Events include ice cream making, Civil War reenactment camp, Victorian style children’s games and entertainment. For more information call (586) 752-4111, or click here.
May 22-23
Annual Flower Fair & Home & Garden Marketplace – Lake Orion
Get ready for warm weather with flats of flowers, buckets of perennials, yard ornaments and expert advice. Look to their Home and Garden Marketplace for the latest trends in updating and remodeling your house. Located in the heart of the downtown district in Lake Orion, special features include: Kids Activities – Entertainment – Easy Eats – Art Fair.
May 18-19
World Expo of Beer – Frankenmuth
The World Expo of Beer is a beer sampling extravaganza! If you love beer, you will love the World Expo of Beer, with nearly 300 brews to choose from. Includes live entertainment both nights, an expanded area to accommodate more beer enthusiasts, great local food, and all proceeds benefit charitable causes! Prost!
May 19-20
East Lansing Art Festival – East Lansing
Hundreds of artists from Michigan and beyond come to Downtown East Lansing to exhibit art of all kinds. Painting, Ceramics, Sculpture, Blown Glass, Wood, Metal, Photography and more fill the booths that line the downtown streets. The East Lansing Art Festival features a variety of activities, performances, and demonstrations for your enjoyment. The international food court features dozens of vendors with tastes from around the world!
May 25
Towel Day – The Galaxy
Towel Day is an annual celebration on the 25th of May, as a tribute to the late author Douglas Adams (1952-2001). On that day, fans around the universe proudly carry a towel in his honour.
May 25-27
Traditional Arts Weekend – Remus
Where else can you learn to play the fiddle, go to a day-long bluegrass school, learn songwriting tips, tie a fly for trout season, explore yeast dough baking, practice yogo, learn to Tango, Clog or Swing dance, stargaze with fellow astronomers, weave a black ash basket, make a pine needle rimmed gourd and paint a silk scarf ~ all in one weekend?……At the annual Traditional Arts Weekend held every year in Remus, Michigan over the Memorial Day Weekend. Over 80 workshops, dances, performances and hands-on activities for the entire family taught by over 60 instructors. This very popular Wheatland event is for those seeking more personal instruction in traditional dance, music, song, arts and crafts.
May 26
Petoskey Stone Festival – Eastport
Head to Eastport and help celebrate everything Petoskey, our much treasured state stone, at Antrim County’s Barnes Park. Petoskey stones are composed of fossilized skeletons of colony corals which lived their lifespan in the warm sea waters that at one time covered all of what is now the beautiful state of Michigan.
May 26
Annual Mackinaw Memorial Bridge Race – Mackinaw City
GEAR UP for an Active Summer with the Mackinac Bridge Memorial Weekend Race. One of only two times of year that runners are allowed to run the Mackinac Bridge! Must register in advance and be able to run a minimum of 12 minutes per mile pace.
May 26-27
Dog Bowl – Frankenmuth
Events include: Great Lakes Dock Dog Competition, Disc Dog Competition, Border Collie Sheep Herding Demonstration, Canine Cruise on the Cass River, Weiner Dog Races, Pet Parade, Silly Pet Tricks, Rockin’ Dog Look-Alike Contest, 100 Yard Doggie Dash, Dog Breeds of the World with Pet friendly dining and lodging available!
May 26-27
Alma Highland Festival and Games – Alma
The Alma Highland Festival and Games began in 1968. The festival is located on the Alma College campus in Alma, Michigan. Each year the festival brings visitors the very best of Scottish tradition. The festival combines great competition with Scottish hospitality.
May 26-28
Movement – Detroit’s Electronic Music Festival – Detroit
The Detroit Electronic Music Festival (DEMF) festival is now known as Movement. Detroit is widely considered to be the the birthplace of techno, and Movement remains true to those roots. On Memorial Day weekend 107 dance music stars will perform across five stages with headliners including Zeds Dead, SBTRK, Public Enemy, Claude Vonstroke and Major Lazer.
May 26-28
Ft. Michilimackinac Historical Re-Enactment Pageant – Mackinaw City
The Fort Michilimackinac Pageant Committee along with the re-enactors would like to cordially invite you to join them in their annual re-enactment at Fort Michilimackinac during Saturday, Sunday, and Monday of Memorial Day weekend. This unique performance of the area’s rich history is the longest running FREE attraction in the State of Michigan.
