Festivals Carnival of Chaos presents Rock Fest
Stanton facebook.com/ thecarnivalofchaosfestival July 9–11. A weekend of chaos that includes body suspension and burlesque shows among performances from 60 rock/ metal bands and 30 DJs. Music lineup TBD at press time. $25 in advance or $30 at the gate; includes free camping.
Grand Rapids Symphony Picnic Pops
Belmont grsymphony.org July 9–31. The four-week outdoor concert series draws 25,000 attendees each year. Held at Cannonsburg Ski Area on Thursdays and Fridays.
Riverwalk Fest
Lowell riverwalkfestival.org July 9–11. This year’s event stands by tried and true festival activities: arts, crafts, motorcycles, kayaks, duck race, fireworks and more.
Barry County Fair
Hastings barryexpocenter.com July 20–26. Barry’s big event presents an array of different animal shows, harness racing, an antique tractor pull, unique motor sports and more.
Town and Country Days
Sparta spartafair.com July 15–19. Sparta’s Town and Country Days boasts a pig roast, horse drawn carriage rides, a basketball tournament, carnival rides, petting zoo and a sky lantern release.
Ionia Free Fair
ioniafreefair.com July 16–25. The free-est fair in West Michigan returns with a circus, a high flying trapeze act, a wild animal exhibit and concerts. The fair also hosts its annual four-day competition, Ionia Idol. A kids day is planned for the little ones, as well.
Muskegon Bike Time
Muskegon muskegonbiketime.com July 16–19. The 10 blocks of Western Avenue in downtown Muskegon become motorcycle-exclusive for the weekend. Aside from stunt shows and free entertainment, nearly 75,000 hogs roll about town.
Ottawa County Fair
Holland (616) 399-4904, ottawacountyfair.com July 27–Aug. 1. Visit Ottawa and take in some of the craziest motorsports around, with two-wheel trucks, demolition derbies and flaming buggies.
Muskegon County Youth Fair
Fruitport muskegonfairgrounds.com July 20–25. This fair offers an array of different contests for animals such as horses, rabbits, goats and more. Baked goods contests, a talent show, and different fair games will also take place.
Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival
Grand Haven coastguardfest.org July 24–Aug. 2. Honoring the men and women of the United States Coast Guard, this festival celebrates with ship tours, live music, food, a carnival and street dancing throughout Grand Haven.
Red Barns Spectacular
Arts and Drafts Festival
Hickory Corners gilmorecarmuseum.org Aug. 1. This massive auto spectacular hosts well over 1,000 vehicles. From classic hotrods to antique campers and wooden boats, it’s a truly diverse show.
Norton Shores shoresartsanddrafts.com Aug. 15. This fest is host to the Arts & Dash 5K Run, arts and crafts section, children’s activity area and a beverage tent with live music.
Del Shannon Days
Coopersville delshannoncarshow.org Aug. 3–8. This event honors legendary rock singer Del Shannon, who grew up in Coopersville and scored a hit with “Runaway.” The big event is the car show, which rounds out the five-day event.
Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival
Oceana County michfest.com Aug. 3–10. Gather in the woods to celebrate everything female. The fest is host to a roster of diverse performances, informative workshops, daily films, crafts and more.
Clown Band and Corn Roast
Ludington pureludington.com Aug. 4. The Scotsville Clown Band is back for this summer concert that also serves up roasted corn and other tasty treats.
Michigan Pirate Festival
Grand Haven michiganpiratefestival.com Aug. 9–15. This event is not limited to just piracy, it also relives the Revolutionary War period, the Renaissance era, and other historical and fictional times.
Kalamazoo County Fair Kalamazoo kalamazoocountyfair.com
Calhoun County Fair
Coopersville’s Del Shannon Days runs Aug. 3-8. Aug. 10–15. Magicians, carnival rides and hundreds of animals fill the Kalamazoo Expo center with baby animals. Super cute baby animals.
Kent County Youth Fair
Kent County Fairgrounds, Lowell kcyf.org Aug. 10–15. This event offers free carnival rides for book-reading kids, racing pigs, an illusionist and heaps of educational entertainment.
Western Michigan Fair
Ludington masoncountyfairgrounds.com Aug. 11–15. Small animals, big rodeos and medium-sized supercross set up shop in Ludington for a few days, along with other fair activities.
Michigan Fiber Festival
Allegan michiganfiberfestival.info Aug. 15–16. This is one of the Midwest’s largest fiber festivals and hosts an array of shows, competitions, workshops, animals, shopping and more.
Marshall calhouncountyfair.org Aug. 16–22. Boasting the longest-running county fair in the state, the Calhoun County Fair is a week-long fest filled with a number of gearhead events like tractor pulls, races, derbys and motocross.
28th Street Metro Cruise
Grand Rapids 28thstreetmetrocruise.com Aug. 21–22. All types of vehicles are included in the cruise: hot rods, low riders, muscle cars, performance cars, classics, antiques, even motorcycles.
Allegan County Fair
Allegan allegancountyfair.com Sept. 11–19. This has been the city’s biggest attaraction since 1852. Stop out and check out the biggest names in country music, including Lady Antebellum and Brantley Gilbert.
Eastown Streetfair
Grand Rapids eastowngr.com Sept. 12. The 42nd installment of this fest is packed with bands. Past performers have included local bands such as Jesse Ray & the Carolina Catfish, Bermudas, Rick Chyme and Sext Farm. Side perks: tons of food and an array of artisans and artists selling local goods. n
Best Bet: Pride Festival Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene
Greater Grand Rapids Pride is West Michigan’s premiere annual LGBT event, at-
and the Intersection in the early ‘00s and was soon playing support gigs at major electric music events. He’ll spin for the fest, joined by Hector Fonseca, who was recently tracting up to 20,000 revelers from around the state and named the best DJ/producer by an industry publication. throughout the Midwest. Of course, the spirit of inclusion Mix Gwen Stefani’s hiccuppy vocal ensures it’s open to folks from all ages and style with Pink’s punk sensibilities and you backgrounds. And what’s a festival without Greater Grand Rapids come close to approximating Eryn Woods. the entertainment? Pride 2015 With her shocking fuchsia Mohawk and 300 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand “Glee” star Alex Newell is one of the Rapids devil-may-care rock outs like “Gangstas, evening’s headliners. Newell shot to starSaturday, June 20 Geeks and Freaks” and “This My Shh,” dom on the groundbreaking show as Wade FREE! grlgbt.org/pride she’s going to be hard to miss. “Unique” Adams, a transgender teen who The festival also features a beer tent channeled all her passion and pain into her music. The character was a standout in a sea of standouts filled with Michigan craft brews (of course) and a host of tangent parties, events and community engagement — and became a vociferous voice for LGBT rights. “Intelligent dance music” DJ Shawn Ferguson (aka, DJ groups. —Allan Ross TrainRek) got his start at Grand Rapids hot spots Rumors
Alex Newell
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