Weekend Events Round-Up: June 21-23

In my opinion it's been Pure Michigan weather this week. My kids have enjoyed their first full week out of school, they participated in a fun scouting activity and have gotten to enjoy the free Splash program at the YMCA. I was looking forward to a relaxing weekend until I realized it was the weekend for the Great American Backyard Campout. 

Not familiar with the campout or local camping opportunities? There are many inexpensive family camping options. If you have not reserved anything locally, you might consider  attending the Great American Backyard Campout 2013 at Island Lake Recreation Area (12950 Grand River Rd., Brighton) for many free activities. A Recreation Passport is required for vehicles entering the park. First time campers who want to try their hand at tenting are invited to camp at Island Lake at their rustic site camping (vault toilets, a pump for water and no electricity) while enjoying the park and camaraderie with their fellow campers. Free activities will take place throughout the day including tug-o-war, softball, crafts and games, fishing, a night hike, bonfire, s’mores and storytelling. Canoeing is available for a small fee.The entire event is FREE (except canoeing and the vehicle entry fee), however you must contact the park office at 810-229-7067 to reserve your campsite!

If that doesn't work, put the tent up in your back yard and enjoy the evening with your kids! That's what we'll be doing!!!  Besides that we'll be making a few jams and jellies with some Saskatoons we foraged this week, as well as baking some rhubarb bread. Strawberry picking might be in the plans too, depending on what's available at Rowe's.

What are your weekend plans with the kids? It's looking like a near perfect weather weekend, so make sure you get out and about and enjoy! Check out what's happening this weekend in and around Ann Arbor.

Friday, June 21

10:00 a.m. – noon Toddlers and preschool aged children will enjoy Big Truck and Emergency Vehicle Day at the Dexter District Library (3255 Alpine St., Dexter) with a special guest - Buzz Lightyear!

2:00-4:00 p.m. Free movies at Free Film Fridays Film Fridays at the Ypsilanti District Library (229 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti) today’s movie is Rango.

4:00 p.m.- midnight Ann Arbor Summer Festival's Top of the Park  at Ingalls Mall (915 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor) 5:00-midnight. There is a suggested donation per visit of $3 per individual or $5 per family. Tonight’s family-friendly activities and performances include Tangle (4:00 & 7:30 p.m. - Cost $5) where kids can weave their way through a huge, messy, fun, interactive elastic weaving event where kids take control to create a giant abstract visually stunning artwork in public spaces. The KidZone (5:00 p.m.) sponsored by Keith Hafner’s Karate, and Les 7 doigts de la main give a free demonstration of juggling and circus skills on the lawn at Top of the Park (7:45 p.m.)

7:00-8:00 p.m. Youth and teens can jump till their hearts content during Jump Roping Blast at the Ann Arbor District Library (3090 E. Eisenhower Pky., Ann Arbor). This free event is geared for teens and pre-teens (grades 4-12). Bring your jump rope and and rhymes and be ready for a jumpin’ good time! Learn how to do Chinese jump rope, Double-Dutch and standard jump rope techniques. Special guests for the event are the St. Francis Heartbeats to demonstrate their skills. This is a rain or shine event.

8:00-11:00 p.m. Celebrate the longest day of the year canoeing the Huron River during Summer Solstice on Gallup Pond (Gallup Canoe Livery, 3000 Fuller Rd., Ann Arbor). For only $18/canoe or two-person kayak; $14/one-person kayak paddle the breathtaking 2.5 mile Gallup Pond, be sure to bring a flashlight and bug-spray though. No preregistration is required.

Saturday, June 22

10:00 a.m. – late evening Milan Dragway's Night Thrills at the Milan Dragway (10860 Plank Rd., Milan) For only $20 adults/$10 Kids 6-12, check out a Night of Thrills and action watching the drag races. The first 500 kids into the gate receive a free tee shirt.

10:00 a.m. Get out for a hike at the Lower Huron Metropark (17845 Savage Rd., Belleville). Register at recreation@hrwc.org or 734-697-9181. 

11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. State Street Kids Day with Peachy Fitness, UM Natural History museum, a magician and magic show, free face painting and so much more during this free event.

11:00 a.m. Amazing Amphibians at Hudson Mills Metropark (8801 N. Territorial Rd., Dexter). Get the kids outdoors to explore frogs, toads and salamanders. Cost $3/person or $5/family - Preregistration is required 734-426-8211.

11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The Evolution of Whales a hands-on demonstration at the UM Natural History Museum (1109 Geddes Ave., Ann Arbor). Free event.

Noon-1:00 p.m. Open Studio Drop-in Art Sessions at the FLY Children’s Art Studio (40 N. Huron, Ypsilanti). For just $5 (or $40 season pass) keep your kids actively engaged with a little art. No registration is required for this event.

1:00-2:30 p.m. Take the kids to the Waterloo Recreation Area (17030 Bush Rd., Chelsea) for Kids Korral.

1:00 p.m. Raptor feeding at the Leslie Science and Nature Center (1831 Traver Rd., Ann Arbor). Free event.

2:00-4:00 p.m. Free dinosaur tours. 

2:00 p.m. kids and teens ages 6-19 can create Clay Tile Mosaics at the Ypsilanti District Library (8795 MacArthur Blvd., Ypsilanti) using colorful tile pieces to create a personalized picture or paperweight.

4:00 p.m.- midnight Ann Arbor Summer Festival's Top of the Park  at Ingalls Mall (915 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor) 5:00-midnight. There is a suggested donation per visit of $3 per individual or $5 per family. Tonight’s family-friendly activities and performances include Tangle (4:00 & 7:30 p.m.), the KidZone (5:00 p.m.) sponsored by the U-M Museum of Natural History, and Les 7 doigts de la main at the Power Center (8:00 p.m.)

9:00-11:00 p.m. Free movie: Madagasscar 3 at Rolling Hills (7660 Stony Creek Rd., Ypsilanti Township).

Sunday, June 23

Noon-3:00 p.m. Critter House open at the Leslie Science & Nature Center (1831 Traver Rd., Ann Arbor).

1:30 & 2:30 p.m. Planetarium show at the UM Natural History Museum (1109 Geddes Ave., Ann Arbor).

2:00-4:00 p.m. Free dinosaur tours.

4:00 p.m.- midnight Ann Arbor Summer Festival's Top of the Park  at Ingalls Mall (915 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor) 5:00-midnight. There is a suggested donation per visit of $3 per individual or $5 per family. Tonight’s family-friendly activities and performances include Tangle (4:00 & 7:30 p.m.), a performance by 12-year old Magdalen Fossum (5:00 p.m.), Giant Candyland the KidZone (5:00 p.m.) sponsored by the Ann Arbor District Library, a performance by The Candy Band (7:00 p.m.) and a special presentation of Goonies during Movies Under the Stars (10:00 p.m.)