Summer is almost here and that means time for some fun in the sun.
Let’s take a look at the state’s top amusement parks, plus major summer fairs and festivals.
Alpena favorite Arzo Amusement Park leads off the list. Arzo has got all the bases covered with batting cages, bumper cars, go-karts, arcades, a ferris wheel, roller coaster, venetian carousel and so much more.
Cedar Valley’s Wild Frontier Fun Park can be found in Comins, about an hour southwest of Alpena.
Located in a unique, carved out-of-the woods site is Michigan’s second largest amusement park. Venture on Cedar Valley’s fully restored, vintage rides for a bit of nostalgia and full day of fun.
The park covers four acres with a total of 18 rides.They include the Galaxy 500 coaster, Octopus, Roll-O-Plane, Tilt-A-Whirl and Water Jump.
Craig’s Cruisers Family Fun Center is “Where the Fun Never Ends.” Craig’s Cruisers has three locations in-state: Grand Rapids, Holland and Muskegon.
The Grand Rapids site has over 120,000 square feet of indoor fun, including the Cruiser Coaster. And it has a number of outdoor rides, like Bumper Boats, The 360 and Zip Line. You only pay for activities you want.
Michigan’s Adventure in Muskegon is the state’s premier amusement park. Wildwater Adventure is their adjacent waterpark.
The parks feature more than 60 rides, slides and thrills, including seven roller coasters. Wildwater has three wave pools and several water slides, for starters.
Buckle up for the NASCAR Racing Experience at Brooklyn’s Michigan international Speedway. This is “as real as it gets.”
After a drivers meeting, strap in behind the wheel of a real NASCAR racing machine for timed sessions on the Speedway.
Pick between 5 and 48 minutes and get one-on-one instruction from a spotter over the two-way radio. Pop in for a pit stop between every 8 minute session then get back on track. Or if you prefer, go for a ride with a pro.
For a special summer day the European way visit Nelis’ Dutch Village of Holland. Hop on the classic Carousel, Chair Swing or Petal Pumper Cars. Aside from those, there’s Tractor Time! and a Windmill Ride.
A Climbing Castle, Pirate Water Balloon Battle, and Giant Wooden Shoe Slide also await.
Summer Fairs and Festivals
The Ann Arbor Art Fair captivates nearly half a million visitors during a three-day fete every July. Known as the largest juried art fair nationwide, it showcases the talents of nearly 1,000 artists, and covers a staggering 30 city blocks through downtown Ann Arbor.
This much-celebrated event presents three unique, independently juried, art fairs:
The Original Ann Arbor Street Fair, The Guild’s Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair and Ann Arbor State District Art Fair will run from July 18-20.
Battle Creek’s Field of Flight Air Show & Balloon Festival will be taking to West Michigan skies from July 3 to July 7.
The air show includes a U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Jet Demo, Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet RHINO Team, Navy F-35C Lightning II Team, T-33 Shooting Star "Ace Maker" and Erickson Aircraft Collection's RARE P-38 Lightning display.
Bay-Rama Fish Fly Festival is set for June 19-23 in the city of New Baltimore. Among the festivities are: a Cardboard Boat Race and Power Wheels Demolition Derby.
The little ones can dig for silver and participate in a ping pong drop as well.
Hundreds of thousands are expected to attend the Ionia Free Fair running July 11-20. Ionia kicks out the jams with live music, a midway and magic shows.
The Michigan State Fair is slated for August 29 through September 2 in Novi. There’s a slew of things to see and do at the Suburban Collection Showplace this Labor Day weekend.
Montcalm’s County Fair tops the bill from June 23 to June 29 in Greenville.
Horse and Pony Shows, Tractor Pulls, Mini Wedge Racing and Micro Wrestling will be featured at this Mid-Michigan exhibition.
South Haven Harborfest is scheduled for June 14-15. Harborfest has an array of activities on tap, such as: a craft fair and dragon boat races.
The Upper Peninsula State Fair returns to Escanaba for six days in mid-August.
An Antique Steam & Gas Village, Bingo Tent, Dove Release, Robotics Fair and Strolling Piano will be showcased there. That’s on the docket for Aug. 12-18.