Metro Parks - Calendar of Events

2008 Major Events Schedule

Fireworks

Friday, July 4, Willow Metropark, near New Boston
1-800-477-3182 or 734-697-9181

Friday, July 4, Kensington Metropark, near Milford/Brighton
1-800-477-3178 or 248-685-1561

Saturday, July 5, Lake Erie Metropark, in Brownstown
1-800-477-3189 or 734-379-5020

Osprey Fest

Saturday & Sunday, July 12 & 13

Kensington Metropark Nature Center, near Milford/Brighton

1-800-477-3178 or 248-685-0603

Watch the ospreys at Kensington and celebrate their return to the area. $

Car Show 2008

Sunday, July 13

Willow Metropark, near New Boston

1-800-477-3182 or 734-697-9181

Check out classic and stock cars, street rods, and custom cars and trucks; live music.

Target Harmony in the Metroparks

Detroit Symphony Orchestra concerts

All performances begin at 8 p.m.

Friday, July 18 - Kensington Metropark

Saturday, July 19 - Stony Creek Metropark

Thursday, July 24 - Willow Metropark

Friday, July 25 - Metro Beach Metropark

Children�s Appreciation Day

Sunday, July 20

All Metroparks

Special programs or free use of selected facilities will be offered.

Country Music Roundup

Friday, July 25

Lake Erie Metropark, in Brownstown

1-800-477-3189 or 734-379-5020

Hear the Cadillac Cowboys and Terrie Lea & The Mustangs perform.

Summer Discovery Cruises
Metro Beach Metropark, near Mt. Clemens

Lake Erie Metropark, , in Brownstown

July - August

Take a two-hour cruise aboard the �Clinton� to explore the waters and islands of the lower Detroit River or Lake St. Clair. Co-Sponsored by Michigan Sea Grant Extension. $

Festival Of Lights

Saturday, August 2

Metro Beach Metropark near Mt. Clemens

1-800-477-3172 or 586-463-4581

Watch the Festival of lights, a procession of decorated boats, as it cruises in to Metro Beach Metropark.

Colonial Kensington

Saturday & Sunday, August 9 & 10

Kensington Metropark, near Milford/Brighton

1-800-477-3178 or 248-685-0603

British and French settlers, and Native American re-enactors bring Michigan�s history to life.

Bark in the Park

Saturday & Sunday, August 9 & 10

Stony Creek Metropark, near Rochester/Washington Twp.

1-800-477-7756 or 586-781-4242

Watch dogs leap off the Splash Dogs dock and other canine feats. Visit the pet pavilion for great items and services for pets. Dogs are welcome on a leash.

Senior Appreciation Day

Wednesday, August 13

All Metroparks

Free park entry and boat launching at all Metroparks, plus special offers.

Wood Duck Dash

Saturday, Aug 16

Lake Erie Metropark, in Brownstown

1-800-477-3189 or 734-379-5020

Join in the 5K and 10 K run through the park. Fee for entrants. Register and receive a T-shirt. $

Cruzin� The Park

Friday - Sunday, August 22 � 24

Lower Huron Metropark, near Belleville

1-800-477-3182 or 734-697-9181

This event features hundreds of classic cars and street rods on display, car competitions and a swap meet. www.cruzinthepark.com

Voyageur Encampment

Saturday & Sunday, August 23 & 24

Metro Beach Metropark, near Mt. Clemens

1-800-477-3172 or 586-463-4332

Explore Michigan�s rich history as Voyageurs, Great Lakes settlers and Native American re-enactors relive the lifestyles of the Great Lakes Fur Trade Era.

Astronomy On The Beach

Friday & Saturday, September 5 & 6

Kensington Metropark, near Milford/Brighton

View planets and stars through powerful telescopes, hear discussions on outer space and more.

Fall Harvest Festival

Saturday & Sunday, September 6 & 7

Wolcott Mill Metropark Farm Learning Center, near Romeo

586-752-5932

Join a weekend of old-fashioned farm activities, including plowing demos, shearing demos, blacksmithing, corn-shucking contest, games, horse-drawn wagon rides and an evening barn dance.

Fall Boat Show

Wednesday - Sunday, September 17 - 21

Metro Beach Metropark, near Mt. Clemens

1-800-477-3172 or 586-463-4581

See more than 1,000 new and used boats displayed on the shore and in the water. $

Fall Festival

Saturday, September 20

Oakwoods Metropark Nature Center, near Flat Rock

1-800-477-3182 or 734-782-3956

Enjoy a day of artistry, crafts, games, the Metropark rock climbing wall, a petting farm and more. There is a $2 fee for the climbing wall and donations are accepted for other activities.

Hawkfest

Saturday & Sunday, September 20 & 21

Lake Erie Metropark, in Brownstown

1-800-477-3189 or 734-379-5020

The annual fall migration of birds of prey - hawks, eagles, falcons, owls and vultures - is celebrated at this premier hawkwatching site. See live birds, demonstrations and exhibits.

Kensington Challenge XXV

Saturday, September 27

Kensington Metropark, near Milford/Brighton

1-800-477-3178 or 248-685-1561

Nearly one thousand runners will compete in a one-mile fun run, a 5K run or a 15K run. Fee for entrants.

Hydroplane Races

Saturday & Sunday, September 20 & 21

Stony Creek Metropark, near Rochester/Washington Twp.

1-800-477-7756 or 586-781-4242

Hydroplanes will race around the one and one-quarter mile oval course at this American Power Boating Association (APBA)-sanctioned event.

Quilts And Antique Vehicle Show

Saturday & Sunday, September 20 & 21

Wolcott Mill Metropark Historic Center, in Ray Township

1-800-477-3175 or 586-749-5997

See an extensive collection of quilts, including original design and antique quilts. Quilting programs and demonstrations will be given. Antique car show will be held on Sunday, weather permitting. $

Fall Farm Festival

Saturday & Sunday, October 4 & 5

Kensington Metropark Farm Center, near Milford/Brighton

1-800-477-3178 or 248-685-1561

Discover how apple cider and butter were made on the farm, then take a hayride down the lane. $

Applefest 10K Race

Sunday, October 5

Lower Huron Metropark, near Belleville

1-800-477-3182 or 734-697-9181

Join hundreds of runners tuning up for fall races in this 10K race through the park. Fee for entrants.

Fall Funforall

Saturday, October 11

Lake Erie Metropark, in Brownstown

1-800-477-3189 or 734-379-5020

Celebrate fall with a day of crafts, pumpkin hunts, wagon rides, a touch of Halloween, and more. $

Carp Fest

Saturday & Sunday, October 11 & 12

Kensington Metropark Nature Center, near Brighton

1-800-477-3178 or 248-685-0603

Celebrate fall with a hike through the woods and nature crafts. $

Civil War Skirmish

Wolcott Mill Metropark Historic Center,in Ray Township

Saturday & Sunday, October 18 & 19

1-800-477-3175 or 586-749-5997

Relive history at this Civil War re-enactment with crafts, cannon demonstrations, battles, camp life and other activities. $

Veterans Appreciation Day

Tuesday, November 11

All Metroparks

Free park entry and boat launching at all Metroparks.

Thanksgiving Holiday Appreciation Days

Thursday, November 27 & Friday, November 28

All Metroparks

Free park entry and boat launching at all Metroparks.

Heritage Holidays

Fridays & Saturdays, December 5, 6, 12, & 13

Wolcott Mill Metropark, in Ray Township

1-800-477-3175 or 586-749-5997

Visit Santa and see historic holiday displays from the 1840s to the 1960s at the historic mill.

Christmas Appreciation Day

Thursday, December 25

All Metroparks

Free park entry and boat launching at all Metroparks.