Huron River Day

Spend the day enjoying family, friends and the river during Huron River Day.
This free event is perfect for the entire family!

Beat the heat this Sunday with a little treat for the entire family during Huron River Day! This yearly free event started 33 years ago as a way to educate citizens about the Huron River watershed and make preservation efforts so that future generations will continue to enjoy our local and immensely beautiful local natural resource.

The free event takes place at Gallup Park (3000 Fuller Rd., Ann Arbor) throughout the day, starting at 8:30 a.m. with the Gallup Gallop 5K Run/5k Fitness Walk. Families can also preregister to take a 1-hour Naturalist led Canoe Trip around Gallup park at 11:00 a.m. for $5/person. Preregistration is required at 734.794.6240.

Then from noon-4:00 p.m. enjoy all that the Huron River and Gallup Park has to offer with so many free activities. Families will find $5 Canoe & Kayak rentals, a free children's activity tent with art and science fun, a photo booth, a butterfly house,  a live animal program with Leslie Science Center, a butterfly house, river exhibits, a Kids Envirochallenge (which I have hear is an awesome fun and education event!), fishing, a classic Small Boat Show, stand up paddle-board and live music from Joe Reilly, Gemini and Wire in the Wood.

But wait, there's MORE. The Parker Mill will also be open that day from noon-4:00 p.m. with free Pioneer Grist Mill tours at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. AND as an added bonus ride your bikes to the park and you'll receive free valet bike parking and a free boat rental. Whew - I'm exhausted just thinking about the event!

There is so much to love about spending quality time with family, enjoying the outdoors and strolling - or paddling - the Huron River, so be sure to come out and enjoy this wonderful afternoon! For more information on the event, please visit the City of Ann Arbor's Huron River Day page or call (734) 794-6240.

Weekend Events Round-Up: June 28-30

I meant to post this last night, however I was a bit preoccupied fretting over whether our basement would flood. It didn't thankfully and the water has now receded.

Me standing in the middle of our intersection next to my home!

My back-yard at it's worst! We had a water park for a while.

Yes, yes, I fretted and simply didn't get things posted. But there is lots to do in Ann Arbor tonight including Ann Arbor Summer Festival's Top of the Park events and performances for families - The KidZone, Superhero, a kids music workshop, musical performances, and the movie the Iron Giant - Just check out the A2SF listing for all of the great events happening!

The  62nd annual Ann Arbor Jaycees Carnival (Pioneer High School) is running this weekend too with free admission before 9:00 p.m. Find rides, midway games, food and fun. Carnival hours are 4:00-11:00 p.m. Friday, noon-11:00 p.m. Saturday and Noon-9:00 p.m. Sunday. More information at carnival@a2jaycees.org.

For parents with young children, the grand opening of the new play area at Briarwood Mall on Saturday (11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) might be a perfect diversion. Radio Disney will be there to celebrate as well, so older siblings will enjoy that. The free event will include a ribbon cutting, and special give-aways every 15 minutes. Kids can also get free temporary tattoos, enjoy a coloring activity station and interactive gaming station. 

What's on your weekend planner?


Friday, June 28

• 10:30-11:30 a.m. Baby playgroups at the Ann Arbor District Library (downtown) For toddlers and babies.
• 11:00 a.m. - noon Lori Fithian's "Drummunity!" at the Dexter District Library (3255 Alpine St., Dexter) 
• 1:00 and 4:00 p.m.  See the Joel Tacey Variety Show at the Ann Arbor District Library (2359 Oak Valley Dr., Ann Arbor) for a little comedy fun. Families will see a mix of dazzling juggling, silly music, wacky stunts, and amazing gadgets. This free event is appropriate for kids in grades K-5.
• 2:00-4:00 p.m. Film Friday's at the Ypsilanti District Library (229 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti) - Watch the free movie Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Rise of the Turtles.

Saturday, June 29

• 10:00 a.m. Dancing Babies at the Ann Arbor District Library (3333 Traverwood Dr., Ann Arbor).
• 11:00 a.m. Free Hands-on Demo at the UM Natural History Museum. Kids will learn about the evolution of whales.
• 11:00 a.m. Storytime at Nicola's Books(2513 Jackson Rd., Ann Arbor) 
• 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.Planetarium show at the UM Natural History Museum
• 12:00-1:00 p.m. Open drop-in studio art time at the Fly Children's Art Studio (40 N. Huron, Ypsilanti). Cost is $5/class.
• 1:00 p.m. Raptor feeding at the Leslie Science & Nature Center
• 2:00 p.m. Free dinosaur tours at the UM Museum of Natural History
• 3:00 p.m. Make a "fireworks" t-shirt at the Ypsilanti District Library (5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti). This free event does require registration at 482-4110 ext. 1340to make a one of a kind tie-dye tee. Kids ages 5-12 need to bring their own washed t-shirts for the program.
• 4:00-5:00 p.m. Crazy Craig at the Ypsilanti District Library (229 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti). Prepare your family to be astounded and dazzled by juggling, unicycle riding, and devil stick twirling. Find magic tricks, stunts, and so much more at this free performance. 
• 9:45-11:45 p.m. Kids experience a Hands on interactive event with Superhero at Top of the Park. Superhero is an interactive projection mapping experience in which participants are transformed into superheroes. Fly over Ann Arbor while enjoying many super powers like throwing light balls, becoming gigantic/tiny, and flying!
• 10:00 p.m. Whitmore Lake fireworks!

Sunday, June 30

• 12:00-3:00 p.m. Leslie Science & Nature Center Critter House open and free to the public 
• 1:00 p.m. Kids Music workshop at the Ann Arbor District Library (343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor). Kids in grades K-5 will meet The Not-Its during this free hands-on music creation workshop.  Learn to combine guitars with smooth, four-part harmonies, to create pop gems.
• 1:30 p.m. Planetarium show at the UM Natural History Museum
• 2:00 p.m. Free dinosaur tours
• 7:00 p.m. The Not-Its perform @TOP
• 9:45-11:45 p.m. Superhero @TOP

Chest deep walking on the "path"
after the flood!

So whatever you do with the kids in Ann Arbor, be sure to get out and about for fun. For your viewing pleasure, here is another shot of the Ypsilanti flood yesterday. This is the path behind my home - Pretty amazing huh? I am certainly glad our sump-pump kept pumping!

Do any of you have memories of playing in rain run-off as children? I do. And yes, we did take the obligatory disinfectant bath after splashing in all of the puddles!

Nature Fun on Thursdays at County Farm Park

There are a lot of great things to say about Nature Fun Thursday's with Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation. My kids have participated many times throughout the past few summers in the free program, and have always asked for more!

The one-hour program happens the following dates,J uly 11, July 18 and July 25, from at 10:30-11:30 a.m. and features outdoor science, nature and fun. For programs at County Farm Park, you are always conveniently located near an indoor bathroom, covered picnic shelter, play-scape and nature trails for your enjoyment after. Rolling Hills also offers many of these amenities with the addition of a small fishing pond, the water park and many paved trails!

Children ages 5-8 are invited to participate in the free program, however per-registration at 734- 971-6337 X334 is required. For programs at Rolling Hills, a vehicle entry fee also applies.

So be sure to join naturalists Faye Stoner and Kelsey Bolda. for these wonderful and exciting events!

• July 11 - Fun in the Field (County Farm Park, Platt Rd. entrance) with insects, wildflowers, a camouflage game 
• July 18 - Geo-cache Mini-Adventure (Rolling Hills)! 
• July 25 - Flowers and Pollinators (County Farm Park, Platt Rd. entrance) exploring flower shapes, bees and butterfly's

Ann Arbor Area Firework Displays Bring Families Together

Be sure to celebrate Independence Day
with spectacular fireworks happening
around Ann Arbor!

Today reminds me that 4th of July is merely a week and a half away as the neighborhood kids have been lighting off firecrackers and small displays of fireworks most evenings. So where are all of the large firework displays happening? Below is a list of Ann Arbor area fireworks displays happening through Independence Day.

Monday, June 24

55th Annual Detroit Fireworks
Fireworks at dusk
Hart Plaza - Downtown On The River
(Rain date: Tuesday, June 25, 2013)

Saturday, June 29

Belleville Fireworks
Fireworks at dusk
Located at the Beck Rd. Baseball fields




Whitmore Lake Fireworks
Fireworks at dusk over Whitmore Lake

Hudson Mills Metropark Fireworks
Fireworks at 10:00 p.m.
Located 20 minutes west of Ann Arbor (8801 North Territorial Road, Dexter)
Fireworks are free with $10 entry permit after 5:00 p.m.
Music from 7:00 – 11:00 p.m.


Wednesday, July 3

Manchester Fireworks Display
Fireworks begin at Dusk
Located 30 minutes south west of Ann Arbor in Carr Park (600 W. Main Street, Manchester)
Admission: Free annual fireworks display sponsored by the Manchester Men’s Club - donations are accepted though!


Friday, July 5



Willow Metropark
Fireworks at 10:00 p.m.
Located 25 minutes east of Ann Arbor (17845 Savage Road, Belleville)
Fireworks are free with daily $10 entry permit

Car Seat Fitting Events

There are several car seat safety events coming up for parents (or expecting parents) to check out. At the free event, parents can have a car seat safety check ensuring proper fitting for their infants and young children. Parents wishing to have their car seat fit checked for proper installation, head over to the fitting station at the


For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 734.763.2251 to schedule an appointment to have your seat checked. If you would like more information about this event please visit the safe kids website.

Car Seat Safety Events:

Tuesday, June 25, 5:00-8:00 p.m. - Scio Fire Department (1055 N. Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor).

Monday, July 1, 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Ypsilanti City Fire Department (525 West Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti)

Wednesday, July 10, 4:00-6:30 p.m. - Ann Arbor Fire Department (1881 Briarwood Circle, Ann Arbor)