EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS SAMPLING OF EVENTS AROUND THE COUNTY Oakland County offers four seasons of events, festivals, attractions and activities. Fair Thee Well Spend the day with the family hitting the Oakland County Fair at Springfield Oaks County Park July 8-17 with animal exhibits, amusement rides and more. oakfair.org Awesome Autumn History lives at the Franklin Cider Mill, a popular autumn destination for apples, doughnuts and all things fall. Other Oakland County cider mills include Yates and Paint Creek, and area farms also welcome visitors in search of the perfect pumpkin. Animal Talk Royal Oak’s Detroit Zoo offers an opportunity for families to step into the wild. Changing exhibits, attractions and events year-round enthrall visitors who come from all over to feed the giraffes at the Giraffe Encounter, admire the South American butterflies at the Butterfly Garden, see the Great Apes of Harambee, visit the National Amphibian and Holden Reptile conservation centers and more. Coming in early 2016: the new Polk Penguin Conservation Center. detroitzoo.org Celebrate Summer Auburn Hills’ Downtown Summerfest runs two days in July with arts and crafts, live music, a car show and the annual BBQ cook-off. auburnhills. org/community/downtown/summerfest Racing at the Lake The 17th annual Quake on the Lake on Pontiac Lake boasts inboard hydroplanes racing at world record-breaking speeds on the third weekend in July every year. Prefer land? Participate in the Quake on the Lake 5k run. quakeonthelake.org Cruise Through the Past Park yourself along historic Woodward Avenue to watch thousands of classic cars motor by for the Woodward Dream Cruise, held the third Saturday in August. woodwarddreamcruise.com Keep Healthy The Brooksie Way races are held on the last Sunday in September to help promote a healthy lifestyle by running, jogging or walking in a half marathon, 10K, 5K and others. thebrooksieway.com Mix It Up Since 1968, September’s Troy Family Daze Festival has been serving up fall food and fun from the Troy Civic Center. Dazzle the crowd at the annual talent show or volunteer to help out. troyfamilydaze.com Renaissance Weekends Take a journey to the 16th century at the Michigan Renaissance Festival, held select weekends in late summer and fall in Groveland Township. michrenfest.com Wine & Dine Sip Savor Stomp at the Royal Oak Farmer’s Market is an opportunity for wine connoisseurs to sample wines, fine cheeses, chocolates, coffees and other wine-inspired cuisine. sipsavorstomp.com Get Artsy Art Birmingham in Birmingham’s Shain Park showcases over 150 fine artists in early May. theguild.org/fairs/art-birmingham The September DIY Street Fair in Ferndale is a new twist on traditional art. ferndalediy.com The September Art & Apples Festival in Rochester has provided 50 years of culture and fine artwork. pccart.org/art-apples-festival Paint the Town Bright Downtown Rochester gleams with more than 1 million lights every holiday season with its “Big, Bright Light Show.” It culminates in the Fire & Ice Festival featuring ice carving, tube sledding, dogsled rides, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, fireworks and lots more cold outdoor fun. And it’s all free. downtownrochestermi.com LIKE WHAT YOU SEE IN THIS MAGAZINE? Get Prosper updates all year long by subscribing to our biweekly enewsletter. Sign up at oaklandcountyprosper.com. Take It to the Beach Oakland County is overflowing with rivers, lakes and beaches. Or cool off by heading to Red Oaks and Waterford Oaks waterparks. DestinationOakland.com Explore the Outdoors Take in the fresh air at Oakland County’s parks. The trail network Oak Routes covers much of the county’s 910 square miles. Bike, hike, crosscountry ski or hit the water in a canoe or kayak. DestinationOakland.com/parksandtrails Move to the Music Oakland County’s musical venues attract A-list performers. The music plays everywhere from parks and bars to amphitheaters, the Magic Bag Theatre in Ferndale, Meadow Brook Music Festival in Rochester Hills, DTE Energy Music Theatre in Independence Township and The Palace of Auburn Hills, home of the Detroit Pistons. Carve Up the Ice Learn to skate or improve your skills at indoor ice rinks. Locations include Birmingham, Berkley, Farmington Hills, Royal Oak, Novi, Hazel Park, Oak Park, Rochester, Troy, Southfield and Waterford. Camp Out Enjoy roughing it — or not so roughing it — at Addison Oaks or Groveland Oaks Park. Rent a yurt or cabin featuring electricity and modern restrooms or pitch a tent. DestinationOakland.com Food for Thought Support local farmers and artisans at the Oakland County Market in Waterford, open year-round. DestinationOakland.com/countymarket Fun for Furry Friends Dog parks in Wixom, Orion Township and Madison Heights let your canine companion run free. DestinationOakland.com/parksandtrails/dogparks Photos: Brad Ziegler and courtesy of Woodward Dream Cruise 24 OAKLANDCOUNTYPROSPER.COM 2016
FEATURE --- PHOTO ESSAY AN OAKLAND COUNTY GALLERY. One Special Place. Photography by Brad Ziegler ADVANTAGEOAKLAND.COM 2016 25
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