NOVI — Connoisseurs of all things different, strange, odd, gross and just plain weird have been coming out in droves to the annual Oddities and Curiosities Expo over the last few years, so much so that the show’s owners found it necessary to make it a two-day exposition in a larger space at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi.

ROYAL OAK — Take a trip to the swamp July 19-28 at “Shrek the Musical Jr.” at the Baldwin Theatre in downtown Royal Oak.

WEST BLOOMFIELD — In what has become a long-standing tradition in West Bloomfield, the Orchard Lake Fine Art Show is set to return this summer.

BIRMINGHAM — Downtown Birmingham will host the annual Day On The Town 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, July 27.

FARMINGTON — The event that perhaps defines Farmington unlike any other is set to return to the city’s downtown soon.The 60th edition of the Farmington Founders Festival is scheduled to take place July 18-20.

CLAWSON — The Fourth of July in Clawson holds a special place in local history. Beginning in 1933, the event has yet to miss a year of celebration besides one year during wartime.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Shelby Township SummerFest featured tons of fun activities for the whole family to enjoy June 28-29 at the Shelby Township municipal campus.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan announced June 21 that it recognized many inspiring volunteers, including two from Shelby Township, at a special banquet event during National Volunteer Month.

MADISON HEIGHTS — A two-in-one car show and barbecue contest will bring together fans of both subcultures at Civic Center Plaza this fall.

EASTPOINTE — One hundred years ago, in 1924, a group of local men with a desire to help others got together to form Odd Fellows Eastwood Lodge No. 496.

ST. CLAIR SHORES — The Citywide Garage Sale is back this year, and the Cool City Committee is excited for residents and eventgoers to participate.

WARREN — Hundreds of people were in attendance at Warren’s first pride celebration on the front lawn of City Hall on June 29.

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — Ahead of an excursion to Lake Huron to search for remnants of World War II history, local Sea Cadets got to meet with the organization’s top executive.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Shelby Township SummerFest featured tons of fun activities for the whole family to enjoy June 28-29 at the Shelby Township municipal campus.

GROSSE POINTE FARMS — The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Farms, announced the return of its free summer concert series, SummerFest.

ROCHESTER — Back in its 69th year, downtown Rochester’s Sidewalk Sales will kick off on Thursday, July 18.

ROYAL OAK — Armenia Fest will be coming back to Royal Oak from 5 to 10 p.m. July 20 at the Royal Oak Farmers Market.

METRO DETROIT — The 12 C & G Newspapers staffers who were recognized in the Michigan Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest and the Society of Professional Journalists-Detroit Chapter’s Excellence in Journalism awards walked away with a total of 23 honors.

ROCHESTER — You don’t have to travel to Detroit to enjoy the masterpieces of the Detroit Institute of Arts this summer.

METRO DETROIT — For anyone curious about what the “C” and “G” in C & G Newspapers stands for, here is the answer.The “C” represents Charlotte, and the “G” is for Gil. It was Charlotte and Gil Demers who more than 45 years ago created the family-owned business C & G Newspapers, which is still standing today.