PROSPER®

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
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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