Metro | Published May 14, 2024
1. Motor City Comic Con
May 17-19 • Novi
Guests include William Shatner, Helen Hunt, Charlie Hunnam, Zachary Levi, Ernie Hudson, Heather Graham, Giancarlo Esposito, Katey Sagal, Lex Luger and more, also comic book artists, vendors, panels, kids activities, cosplay contests, audience role playing game, pop culture trivia game show and more, noon-7 p.m. May 17, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. May 18 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 19, Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave. in Novi, motorcitycomiccon.com
Read the story: Motor City Comic Con brings fandoms together
2. Backyard Art Fair
May 18 • Various locations
Consists of about 120 artists at 27 homes in Ferndale, Oak Park and Pleasant Ridge, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. May 18 (rain date May 19), see map at backyardartfair.com and artist information on Facebook
Read the story: Backyard Art Fair keeps getting bigger in 5th year
3. Kids events
May 18-19 • Various locations
Birmingham Hometown Parade
Route goes from Booth Park at Old Woodward Avenue and Harmon Street to Shain Park at 270 W. Merrill St. starting at 1 p.m. May 19, also party at 4 p.m. featuring free face painting, mini train rides, bounce house, crafts and entertainment, plus hot dogs and ice cream for purchase, free parking at municipal structures at 333 N. Old Woodward Ave., 180 S. Chester St. and 333 Pierce St., bhamgov.org/parade
Read the story: City prepares for the Celebrate Birmingham Hometown Parade
Touch A Truck
Get hands-on with fire trucks, police cars, construction vehicles and more, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. May 18, Bingham Farms Elementary School, 23400 13 Mile Road, $5 donation per group appreciated, birminghamyouthassistance.org
Big Bounce America
Includes seven giant inflatable attractions, 9 a.m. for ages 7 and younger, noon and 3 p.m. for ages 15 and younger (8-15 preferred), and 6:30 p.m. for adults, all May 18-19, Steffens Park, 33000 Garfield Road in Fraser, also jumps for toddlers and adults May 24, thebigbounceamerica.com/event/detroit
O.A.K. in the Hills
Outdoor Adventure Kickoff consists of rock climbing, zip lining, kayaking, fishing, hiking, biking, archery, pickleball, Nerf battles, puppy yoga, live animals, art and more, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. May 18, Thelma Spencer Park, 3701 John R Road in Rochester Hills, free but registration preferred at eventbrite.com
Kids to Parks Day
Features games, nature hikes, scavenger hunt, kickball, crafts and more, for ages 5-13, noon-2 p.m. May 18, Civic Center Park, 26000 Evergreen Road in Southfield, facebook.com/southfieldcityhall
4. Independent baseball and semi-pro soccer
May 17-19 • Various locations
United Shore Professional Baseball League
Opening weekend includes Westside Woolly Mammoths vs. Utica Unicorns at 7:05 p.m. May 17 (fireworks afterward), doubleheader with Eastside Diamond Hoppers vs. Birmingham-Bloomfield Beavers at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. May 18 (magician between games), and Woolly Mammoths vs. Unicorns at 1:05 p.m. May 19 (bring dogs for Bark in the Park), Jimmy John’s Field, 7171 Auburn Road in Utica, season continues on select Thursdays-Sundays until Sept. 7, uspbl.com
Oakland County Football Club
Fourth season kicks off against newly-formed and Utica-based Union Football Club Macomb, also music, bounce houses and other activities, 7 p.m. May 18, Royal Oak Stadium, 1500 Lexington Blvd., home games continue June 1, 9, 13 and 29, and July 6 and 14, oaklandcountyfc.com
Troy City Women’s Football Club
Inaugural season for semi-professional soccer team, home opener 6 p.m. May 19 vs. Cap City, Evolution Sportsplex, 141 S. Opdyke Road in Auburn Hills, team also plays home games at Troy High School, more information and full schedule at facebook.com/johnarndttraining
Read the story: Troy welcomes new semi-pro women’s team
5. 2024 Veterans Weekend
May 18-19 • Harrison Township
Includes Michigan Vietnam Veterans Traveling Memorial Wall, military vehicles and planes on display, and food and beverages, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. May 18-19, Selfridge Military Air Museum at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, 27333 “C” St. in Harrison Township, selfridgeairmuseum.org
For more events, visit our Community Calendar at candgnews.com/calendar. To upload your own events for free, create an account at login.cityspark.com.