Pretty Setting - Cranbrook by MikeRyu

Spring has sprung! That means it's time to get out and enjoy the many things to do in and around Michigan during the month of April. Did we get them all? Not likely!! Add ones we missed (with links) in the comments! Click on in and see what's going on around the Great Lakes State!

In the Words of Mark Twain
"The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year."

"It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!"

"In the spring I have counted one hundred and thirty-six different kinds of weather inside of four and twenty hours."

Fast Facts - Wikipedia
The birthstone of April is the diamond, and the birth flower is typically listed as either the Daisy or the Sweet Pea.

In The Waste Land, T. S. Eliot called April "the cruellest month".

April starts on the same day of the week as July in all years, and January in leap years.

April is Michigan Wine Month!
The website Michigan Wines tells us:
"Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has declared April "Michigan Wine Month" to honor Michigan's wide selection of quality wines and the wine industry's significant contribution to tourism in the state.

April is a great time to plan a trip to Michigan's wine regions. Tasting rooms are less busy than in summer and fall, and tasting room staff are delighted to have time to provide extra attention. Many of Michigan's wineries also begin to release their new wines; this spring will see the release of many of the wines from the 2005 harvest-regarded by all the state's winemakers as the best ever."

April's Fool Day

Enjoy some Absolute Michigan April Fools Day shenanigans!

"April Fools' Day or All Fools' Day, though not a holiday in its own right, is a notable day celebrated in many countries on April 1. The day is marked by the commission of hoaxes and other practical jokes of varying sophistication on friends, enemies and neighbors, or sending them on fools' errands, the aim of which is to embarrass the gullible. In some countries, April Fools' jokes (also called April Fools) are only made before noon on 1 April."

Check out Wikipedia's April Fools Day page for a whole bunch more information.

Snopes.com also has a nice page on the origins of April Fools Day

The Herald-News in Roscommon ran a great April Fools Day story in 1981 that is touted as one of the greats. Read about the The Michigan Shark Experiment at the museumofhoaxes.com.

Tax Day is April 15
In the United States, Tax Day is the common term for the day on which tax returns (statements about income taxes) are due to the federal and state governments from U.S. citizens, resident aliens, and certain nonresident aliens. More specifically, this is the last day on which tax returns can be mailed (as postmarked) to avoid penalties, with some exceptions. In the United States, Tax Day has usually been April 15 since 1955.

Visit the Wikipedia Tax Day page to continue reading everything there is to know about this dreaded day.

Earth Day is April 22 - many events happen on other dates in April, so check the map link for happenings in your area

No matter where you are located in Michigan, you are invited to join the celebration of Earth Day. Check out this interactive map of Michigan from the state's DEQ website and click on a region to view celebrations in that area! You will find the event name, location and a brief description as well as a link to the webpage for more information. Celebrate Earth Day every day!

Wikipedia's Earth Day entry  tells us:
"Earth Day is a name used for two different observances, both held annually during spring in the northern hemisphere, and autumn in the southern hemisphere. These are intended to inspire awareness of and appreciation for the Earth's environment. The United Nations celebrates Earth Day, which was founded by Gaylord Nelson, each year on the March equinox, while a global observance in many countries is held each year on April 22."

Founded by the organizers of the first Earth Day in 1970, Earth Day Network (EDN) promotes environmental citizenship and year round progressive action worldwide.

Things to Do, Places to Go

April 1-10
Detroit Restaurant Week - Detroit
Enjoy hearty three-course meals for $28 (excluding beverage, gratuity and tax) at select fine dining locations in Detroit.

April 1-24
Butterflies in Bloom at Dow Gardens - Midland
Encounter over 2,500 butterflies in Dow Gardens' beautiful blooming conservatory - just $1!

April 8
Detroit Tigers Home Opener - Detroit
There's few better ways to celebrate spring that the 2011 home opener vs. the Royals.

April 9-10
Michigan Wine Celebration - Pioneer Wine Trail
Each winery along the trail will feature an appetizer or dessert prepared by a local chef and paired with their featured wine. The ticket price also includes one tasting glass. A recipe card with the featured recipe will be given out to ticket holders at each winery.

April 10
Traverse City Chocolate Festival - Traverse City
Chocolate tasting along with wine and much more chocolate fun on Sunday from 1-4 PM.

April 11
Michigan Wine Showcase - Bloomfield Hills
The gala will take place in the Grand Ballroom at the Radisson, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. Guests will enjoy a comprehensive selection of artisan wines from Michigan winemakers with lavish appetizers of local ingredients.

April 13-16
Zehnders Ragtime Festival - Frankenmuth
Featuring some of the top ragtime performers from around the United States. It includes dinner, lunch and brunch concerts, vaudeville night, silent movies and sing-along.

April 15
Detroit Music Awards - Detroit
DMA awards are similar to the Grammy Awards presented by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Award winners are determined by local musicians and music industry professionals in southeast Michigan, and presented in ten music genres; Folk/Acoustic, Blues, Jazz, Gospel, Country, Classical, Rock/Pop, R&B/Hip-Hop, Electronic and World. The DMA is the only local music awards in the nation to be presented by a not-for -profit organization. Voting is accomplished entirely via the internet.

April 15-16
Michigan International Wine Expo - Novi
The Michigan International Wine Expo is a unique fine wine and gourmet food experience, featuring wine tasting and seminars along with sampling from the area's premier restaurants featuring light hors d'oeuvres. Previous DMA events have featured electrifying performances and guest appearances by some of Detroit's most glittering music legends: Was (Not Was), Eminem with D12, The Clark Sisters, Kid Rock, Martha Reeves, Smokey Robinson, Bob Seger, Glen Frey, The Miracles, Grand Funk Railroad, George Clinton and Parliament, and Ted Nugent, among many others. The annual award show also spotlights outstanding emerging local musicians.

April 15-16
Earth Fair - Port Huron
Celebrate living a new environmentally-friendly life at the St. Clair County Earth Fair! We blend companies, artisans, entertainers, demonstrations, displays and hands-on activities together in an environment that's fun for the whole family. We hope you make plans to celebrate St. Clair County's largest Earth Day celebration and discover natural alternatives in food, energy, transportation, clothing, art, home and more!

April 15-16
Bringin' Back the 80's Festival - Frankenmuth
Bring back hair teasing memories by paying tribute to the music, trends and events of the 1980's. Don't sit back in your pegged pants and play Atari, come on down and have a great time at the 4th Annual Bringin' Back the 80's festival! Proceeds are going to the American Cancer Society.

April 15-16
Great Lakes Art Fair - Bellaire
The Great Lakes Art Fair is the Midwest's fastest growing fine art fair! The GLAF offers select artists and their patrons an expansive new marketplace that is delivering fresh energy and enthusiasm to the regional art community. This bi-annual show is presented by the Rock Financial Showplace in collaboration with Constance Mettler, a doyenne of the national art fair network since 1979.

April 16-17
Ann Arbor Antiques Market - Ann Arbor
The Ann Arbor Antiques Market will continue its tradition as a mainstay in the field of antiques and select collectibles. The Market offers the public a vast selection of quality antiques in the comfortable surroundings of seven buildings and numerous tent canopies. Seven large shows are held from April through October.

April 27 - May 1
National Trout Festival - Kalakaska
The mission of the National Trout Festival is to bring community, business and family together to celebrate the Heritage of our Natural Resources, Trout Fishing and Sportsmanship. We pride ourselves in promoting environmental education and the arts through entertainment.

April 29-30
Chef's Challenge for Challenge Mountain - Bellaire
Chef Teams from Northern and Southern Michigan present the state's great Agricultural diversity at it's succulent finest, complimented by fine Michigan wines and micro-brews, a true premier Michigan event.

April 29
Arbor Day - Michigan
Arbor Day is the celebration of trees and their importance in our lives; it is also a time to think about what we can do for trees and the world in which we live.

April 29 - May 1
69th Maple Syrup Festival - Vermontville
Vermontville is the "granddaddy" of them all! They are the home of the original Maple Syrup Festival in Michigan. They have something for everyone—Mid-America rides, talent show, arts and crafts, flea market, two parades, petting zoo, princess pageant, various displays, games, free entertainment and arm wrestling. Their syrup producers are located throughout the village selling syrup, candies, crème and the ever popular maple syrup cotton candy. You are invited to enjoy pancakes with real maple syrup.

April 29 - May 1
Shepherd Maple Syrup Festival - Sheperd
The people of the Central Michigan community of Shepherd invite you to celebrate their annual Shepherd Maple Syrup Festival, and enjoy activities including craft shows, entertainment, children's activities, museums, tractor pulls, classic car and tractor displays, parades, chainsaw carving, and amusement, train, and pony rides.

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