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1. Parade of Lights
Aug. 6 • Clinton River in Harrison Township
Get ready to be awed as 25 boats with twinkling lights will beautify the Clinton River during the annual Harrison Township Parade of Lights Aug. 6. The 2 1/2-hour event will begin at 9 p.m. at Lambrecht Marina and travel over to the Bridgeview Street Bridge, then to the Harley Ensign Memorial Boat Launch and back to Lambrecht. Spectators can watch from Crews Inn at 31988 N. River Road, Bumper’s Landing at 31970 N. River Road and the Harley Ensign Memorial Launch at 32995 S. River Road, or find their own spots along the waterway. For more information, call Julie Angst at (586) 469-6000.
Read the story: Parade of Lights sets sail Aug. 6
2. Highland Games
Aug. 5-6 • Livonia
The St. Andrew’s Society of Detroit will host the 173rd Highland Games from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 6 at Greenmead Historical Park, 20501 Newburgh Road in Livonia. Some of the many activities will include Highland dancing and the playing of bagpipes and drums; heavy athletic competitions, such as a caber toss, hammer throw and stone put; a tug-of-war; the Wee Bairns area for children and viewing of Scottish animals; and Scotch whisky tasting. The night before, there will be a traditional Scottish party known as the Ceilidh — featuring four live bands, food and beverages — from 5 to 11 p.m. Aug. 5. Online ticket sales for this adult-themed event will only be sold until Aug, 4, but some tickets may be available at the gate. For more information, visit highlandgames.com.
3. Belle Isle Art Fair
Aug. 6-7 • Detroit
The Belle Isle Art Fair will be held next to the Scott Fountain from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 6 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 7. See paintings, sculptures, prints, jewelry and more from 90 juried artists. There will also be make-and-take projects with the Anton Art Center, live music, food trucks and a beer tent. Admission and parking at the fair are free, but entrance requires a state park pass, which costs $11. For more information, visit belleisleartfair.com.
4. Car shows and cruises
Aug. 5-7 • Various locations
Motorheads in the C & G Newspapers' coverage area have plenty of opportunities to see hot rods and classic cars every summer. Here's a few local ones happening this weekend:
Woodward Memories Car Show
The Royal Oak Historical Society Museum, 1411 W. Webster Road, will host its 10th annual Woodward Memories Car Show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 6. Participants can also view an automotive concept art exhibit, which will run until Sept. 10. An opening reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 5. The cost that night is a $10 donation at the door and includes the opportunity to meet automotive designers. For more information, call (248) 439-1501 or visit royaloakhistoricalsociety.com.
Engines & Eats
Harrison Township Parks and Recreation will host Engines & Eats from noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 6 at Tucker Park, on Ballard Street. The free event will feature classic and muscle cars, as well as utility and speciality vehicles. Hot dogs, chips and refreshements will be available. There will also be a bounce house. For more information, visit harrison-township.org.
Clinton Township Gratiot Cruise
As one of multiple cruises that happens each year on Gratiot Avenue, this event based in Clinton Township will officially run from noon to 6 p.m. Aug. 7, although some festivities will start as early as 9 a.m. The route will go from 14 Mile Road to Wellington Crescent, north of Metropolitan Parkway, and back. Cruise headquarters will be in the parking lot of the McLaren Macomb "Glass House" Building on the southeast corner of 16 Mile Road and Gratiot, and will feature a car show, DJ, cruise merchandise, lawn games and food. The Family Fun Zone will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. — with one of the highlights being the pedal car race at 2 p.m. — in the parking lot of the AMC Theater near 15 Mile Road and Gratiot. For more information, visit https://ctgratiotcruise.com.
Troy Traffic Jam
The Troy Traffic Jam classic car show will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 7 at the Columbia Center on Big Beaver Road. Automation Alley will offer demonstrations every hour from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will also be robotics demonstrations, a scavenger hunt for children, facepainting by Sparkles the Clown, raffles and a silent auction, sponsor booths and giveaways, food and ice cream, and more. All proceeds will fund educational programs at the Troy Historic Village. For more information, visit troyhistoricvillage.org/troy-traffic-jam.
In just about every print edition, C & G Newspapers runs a feature called Behind the Wheel, in which local car enthusiasts talk about their cherished rides. To read about these and other related stories, visit www.candgnews.com/news/auto.
5. Rockin' Under the Stars
Aug. 6 • Commerce Township
The 11th Rockin' Under the Stars event will take place Aug. 6 on the grounds of the Multi-Lakes Conservation Association, 3860 Newton Road in Commerce Township. The Family Game Area will be open from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Local band Itchycoo Park will celebrate the music of the 1960s and early '70s starting at 5:30 p.m., while headliner Power Play Detroit will perform classic rock covers from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. The event costs $6, with free parking and no charge for children 12 and younger. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Coolers and pets will not be permitted, but attendees should bring chairs and blankets. For more information, visit LakesAreaChamber.com.
Bonus: Anand Bazaar
Aug. 7 • Troy
The Bharatiya Temple, one of the largest Hindu temples in the Midwest, located at 6850 N. Adams Road in Troy, will host its Anand Bazaar from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 7. The fair will celebrate Indian culture with music, food and shopping. Admission is free. For more information, call (248) 879-2552 or visit bharatiya-temple.org.
