The dog days of summer are upon us and August is brimming with great things to do. Summer of 2008 is zipping by so get out and support the many great festivals and events that our cities and communities have to offer. As usual we by no means have listed all the events happening around Michigan. Add ones we missed (with links) in the comments below!

Dunegrass and Blues Music Festival by _Diann

July 25 - Aug 3
Coast Guard Festival Grand Haven Grand Haven
As we celebrate the 218th birthday of the United States Coast Guard and the 84th anniversary of the founding of the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival, as we know it today, they welcome you and thank you for your support of these gallant men and women who serve us all year long...the members of the United States Coast Guard!

July 29 - August 3
Traverse City Film Festival Traverse City
The Traverse City Film Festival has grown to become one of the largest film festivals in the Midwest, and one of the most respected in the country. Last year, there were over 80,000 admissions to nearly 100 screenings, a number of them U.S. or world premieres. A special emphasis is given to foreign films, American independents, documentaries, and films which have been overlooked but deserve the attention of a public starved to see a good movie.

Enjoy your visit...There is only one COAST GUARD CITY USA and we're ready to show you a wonderful time!

July 31 - August 3
Sleeping Bear Dunegrass & Blues Festival Empire
An outdoor festival in Empire that features bluegrass, folk and rock music, as well as arts and crafts displays, food booths and a kids’ tent with arts & crafts. Camping available.

July 31 - Aug 3
Woodtick Music Festival Hermansville
The Woodtick Music Festival is a home-grown, Upper Peninsula style shindig featuring a variety of regional and not so regional bands who all have one thing in common....they're damn good!

July 31 - August 3
Labadie Pig Gig Detroit
The Labadie Pig Gig presented by State Farm is a national Rib Championship Cook-off with family entertainment and nightly Concerts. It is a fund-raiser produced by Doreable Entertainment, Inc. for many local charities & organizations including The Boys & Girls Clubs.

With entry tickets you can enjoy all Concerts of the day, Pigalicious Tasting Trough (Food demonstration tent), HealthPlus family stage activities, Pig Racing Shows, Circus Opus Shows, Special Contests, Lowes Kids Kraft area, Ronald McDonald on Saturday, State Farm Hospitality Tent, Covenant Health Care Hospitality Tent, plus much more...

August 1 - 2
JazzFest Lansing
Entering its 14th year, the Lansing JazzFest is a two-day FREE music festival that brings national, regional, and local acts to an audience of roughly 15,000 people from across Michigan and nearby states. JazzFest's music truly is living music, history in the making. Each artist at the festival is asked to play an original composition, something that hasn't been played at any other festival.

August 2
Idlewild Jazz Festival Idlewild
Much like the genre it celebrates, the 2008 Idlewild Jazz Festival embraces an array of eras, artists and melodic styles. Slated for Saturday, Aug. 2, in Idlewild, Mich., from 1:30 - 9:30 p.m., this year’s event remains true to its eclectic tradition, synthesizing established and emerging musicians into an ear-pleasing daylong line up. Festival acts range from big band to fusion, providing enough versatility to suit the breadth of any jazz enthusiast’s eight-track/LP/CD collection.

August 2
Riverfolk Festival Manchester
A festival of traditional folk, bluegrass and world music continues to evolve, and features new creative artists, an array of music and dance workshops, giant mural paintings, stage shows and wonders for the kids that include instrument-making, face painting, water maze, origami and craft work area, rain sticks, drum circles, a kids' parade, and more. In addition to the stage shows, workshops and extensive children's activity area, the Riverfolk Music and Arts Festival features an art show with visual artists sharing creations of jewelry, painting, instrument making, stained glass, pottery and much more.

August 2
Silver Maple Music Festival Grand Rapids
The Silver Maple Music Festival takes place on August 2, 2008 at the Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park, MI. Festivities will start at noon. Gates open at 11am. We have seven outstanding bands performing traditional folk, bluegrass, world beat and roots music including Grammy award winner Jim Lauderdale. Bring the whole family for fun with organized activities including an instrumental workshop. Kids under the age of 12 are free. So, come enjoy a great day of music, food and sunshine with friends and family at this year's Silver Maple Music Festival.

August 2 - 3
Suttons Bay Art Festival Suttons Bay
One of the most competitive art shows in Michigan, this fair at Suttons Bay’s Marina Park features some of the area's best artists and crafters as well as artisans from other parts of the country.

August 4 - 10
PGA Championship Bloomfield Township
Held at Oakland Hills Country Club, located about 7 miles north of Detroit. This is one of professional golf's four major tournaments.

August 7 - 10
National Blueberry Festival South Haven
Celebrating the blueberry industry in and around South Haven. Featuring fish boil, blueberries, pancake breakfasts, chicken dinner, arts & crafts, live entertainment, pie eating contest, parade, 5k walk/run and more.

"Neither heat, rain nor scary beast will shut our gates. They will open at 10:00 am to the Queen's delight and close at 7:00 pm with the children's sighs. Come spend your day with us."

August 7 - 10
Humungous Fungus Fest Crystal Falls
Crystal Falls is "Home of the Humungous Fungus", perhaps the world's largest and oldest living organism. It covers 38 acres beneath an Iron County forest near the Wisconsin border. It is believed to be 1,500 to 10,000 years old and weigh about 100 tons - about the same as an adult blue whale. It is the species called Armillaria Bulbosa and the mushrooms it produces are commonly called "honey mushroom." The mushroom is the only edible part of the fungus. Armillaria bulbosa is very common, occurring in hardwood forests in North America, Europe and Japan.

August 8 - 10
Great Lakes Folk Festival East Lansing
This FREE, unique fusion of arts fair, music festival, county fair, multi-ethnic festival, hands-on activity workshops and celebration of cultural heritage will be held Aug 8-10, 2008 in downtown East Lansing.

The Great Lakes Folk Festival showcases the traditional cultural treasures of the nation's Upper Midwest and a sampling of the best of traditional artists from around the country and the world.

August 8 - 10

St. Johns Mint Festival St. Johns
Approximately 150 arts & crafts booths, 5 sports tournaments, Free day & evening entertainment, Talent Show, Kids World (crafts & games all weekend), Exotic Animals, Senior Citizens Day, Quilt Show, Tractor Show, Classic Car Show, New Vehicle Show, Horse Show, Inflatables/Carnival Rides, more.

August 9
Northport Wine and Food Festival & Dog Parade Northport
Medal-winning wineries, top regional cuisine and hot blues bands headline the annual Northport Wine and Food Festival. Themed Red, White & the Blues, the annual festival runs from noon to 6 in Northport's expanded Haserot Park on Grand Traverse Bay.

Also in Northport on Saturday is the annual Northport Dog Parade, which starts promptly at 1 PM. Dress up your dog and then parade through the streets of Northport. Prizes for all!!

August 11 -17
Upper Peninsula State Fair Escanaba
The 2008 Upper Peninsula State Fair opens Monday, August 11 @ 5:00 pm. Plan now to "Make Tracks" to the UP's biggest event.

Escanaba received the honor of being named the location for he Upper Peninsula State Fair in April, 1927. Michigan Gov. Fed Green signed Act 89, which stated, "An annual state fair at the City of Escanaba, which shall have for its main purpose the exploiting, and encouragement of improved methods in agriculture and industrial pursuits I hereby authorize."

August 14 - 18
Danish Festival Greenville
The first Danish Festival was held on August 18, 1965. Today an 23 member Board of Directors, a staff of one, over 35 committees and hundreds of other volunteers are responsible for developing and presenting the festival, which draws crowds of over 80,000. It is this total community effort that makes it possible for Greenville to host the Danish Festival annually.

August 15 - 17
Woodward Dream Cruise Ferndale
It's billed as the world's largest one-day celebration of car culture, and with more 1.7 million visitors and over than 40,000 muscle cars, street rods, custom, collector and special interest vehicles, it delivers.

August 15 - 17
Melon Festival Howell
The event is located throughout the Historic Downtown Howell and features Michigan's largest small town parade.

For information about the Melon Festival call the Howell Jaycees at (517) 546-7477 or email them at jcmelonfestival@yahoo.com

August 16 - September 28
Michigan Renaissance Festival Holly
Festival is held on weekends and Labor Day, rain or shine. "visitors may also partake in games of skill or enjoy non-stop entertainment where belly dancers, sword swallowers, musicians, comedians and sword fighters provide merriment for all ages. The Festival is best known for it's awe-inspiring full-contact armored jousting tournaments where gallant knights defend their honor until the last man is standing!"

August 22 - 24
Porcupine Mountains Music Festival Ontonagon
The fourth annual Porcupine Mountains Music Festival will take place August 22 (Friday), 23 (Saturday), and 24 (Sunday) at the Ski Hill and Chalet Area in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Ontonagon County located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The festival will feature folk, blues, bluegrass and contemporary music from top-class nationally touring artists as well as up and coming Michigan artists. 1250 people per day will get to hear the 25 artists who will appear on our outdoor stages.

August 22 - September 1
Michigan State Fair Detroit
The Nation's Oldest State Fair was officially first held in 1849, only twelve years after Michigan attained statehood. At the onset it was customary, in fact, for the fair to be held one year in one city, the next year in another, and there was always a hot contest to be the city selected. The Michigan State Fair settled down at the present fairgrounds in 1905.

Popular attractions include the FREE Concerts under the stars in the Band Shell, daily parades, competitions, horse shows, agricultural displays, arts & crafts, racing pigs, rabbits & poultry, dairy exhibits, carnival midway rides & games and the world's largest stove.

August 29 - 31
Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix Detroit
The Raceway at Belle Isle Park will again bristle with excitement as world-class auto racing returns to the Motor City on Labor Day weekend 2008. The Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix will feature the American Le Mans Series, the IndyCar Series and, new for '08, the SCCA SPEED World Challenge GT Championship. All net proceeds from the Grand Prix are directed to a special fund for improvements and maintenance at Detroit's jewel - Belle Isle Park.

August 30 - 31
Lamafest East Lansing
Lamafest is unique among llama/alpaca shows in its offering of a variety of activities offered for llama and alpaca owners and the general public.

The M.S.U. Pavilionis large arena showcases the regionís finest llamas and alpacas in events such as: halter and showmanship classes, obstacle course, cart driving, public relations, and packing. Outside the arena, in the stalling area a number of activities are taking place while the show is happening in the arena, including: vendor displays of llama and alpaca related products, farm displays and a demonstration ring. In the demonstration ring you can learn how about the uses of fiber and the care of the animals. A variety of youth activities has been planned, including: a scavenger hunt, quiz bowl and Youth Judging. A Costume Contest entertains the crowd and is ongoing throughout the show. Returning to Lamafest this year is the ìSelect Lama Auctionî, which will take place on Saturday afternoon, providing an opportunity to own one of the finest quality llamas.

August 29 - September 1
Detroit International Jazz Fest Detroit
For more than a quarter century, the Detroit Jazz Fest has entertained millions of fans with jazz legends ranging from Herbie Hancock to Yusef Lateef and Ron Carter. Today, it ROARS on six stages over four days, with blues, gospel, R&B, and one of the finest jazz lineups on the planet. The festival also offers educational events, daily second-line parades, fire works, and rare opportunities to meet the artists. And it’s all FREE!

August 29 - September 1
Arts, Beats & Eats Pontiac
For the eleventh year, the festival will offer more than 200 performances on eight stages, the top ranked HealthPlus Juried Fine Arts Show, local restaurants with some of the finest cuisine in metro Detroit and international, regional and local features that will continue to make the city of Pontiac the premier family destination for Labor Day weekend, August 29-September 1, 2008.

August 29 - September 1
Hamtramck Labor Day Festival 2008 Hamtramck
Throughout the years, visiting historic Hamtramck, Michigan has become a tradition for many during Labor Day weekend. The Hamtramck Labor Day Festival has welcomed more than 500,000 guests yearly as it continually provides the attractions many have come to anticipate during the holiday weekend, including live music, samplings of ethnic food, cultural dancers, carnival rides, and children's activities. While keeping the traditions alive, the Hamtramck Labor Day Festival anticipates incorporating new features this year.