The Curwood Festival takes place in Owosso, Michigan during the first weekend of June. This festival honors James Oliver Curwood, a local author who penned over 30 books and numerous short stories. A large number of Curwood’s books and stories inspired movies. Features of the festival include the Heritage Parade, Kids in Curwood Parade, live entertainment and carnival rides, food and attractions. Another popular highlight is the Ultimate Air Dogs competition. Dogs compete in dock jumping — long distance jumping, catching an object while jumping for distance and catching or knocking off a bumper suspended in the air — to the delight of the crowd. Other attractions of the festival include RiverDaze Raft Race, an arts and crafts area and a volleyball tournament.
The history of this Traverse City, Michigan festival goes back to 1910 when the local cherry farmers began a “blessing of the blossoms.” In 1925, the event became the Blessing of the Blossoms Festival, a one-day celebration. By 1930, the festival had become a three-day fete. The festival has continued to grow through the years and is today an eight-day gala event. Today’s festival includes live music, an air show, a car show, a farmer’s market, arts and crafts show, food court and the crowning of the National Cherry Queen. A carnival features rides for all ages, games of chance and fair-style food. Notable past guests have included Presidents Herbert Hoover and Gerald Ford.
Held in Port Huron, Michigan, CelticFest kicks off with the Betty Kearns Little Black Dress Cocktail Party. This cocktail party is held to benefit local cancer charities. One week later, the St. Paddy's Parade Party is held in celebration of the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day Parade and to honor the newly chosen Grand Marshal. Prior to the parade, a blessing is held during mass at St. Joseph Church. Later that day, the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade gets underway with the sounds of bagpipes and fiddles filling the air. The Maid of Erin Pageant and the Irish Pot of Gold Bowling Tournament also draw excited spectators. Shopping and dining throughout the downtown area of Port Huron round out the day’s celebration. This event is sponsored by The Irish-American Club of St. Clair County.
Held in the city of Holland, Michigan, the Tulip Time Festival has been an annual staple for over 80 years. The festival draws in hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and features national recording artists, a Dutch heritage show and the Barbershop Parade of Quartets. Two carnivals run during the week-long celebration; the Kollen Park carnival is held during the first weekend but the Holland Civic Center carnival runs for the duration of the festival. A quilt show, an arts and crafts show, a Dutch market and traditional Dutch cooking demonstrations round out the festival. A fireworks display is held during opening weekend. Dutch dancers perform all week long. Reader's Digest named the Tulip Time Festival, "America's Best Small Town Festival."