Summer is just around the corner so take a look at our list of featured events and mark your calendars for some June fun! As usual we by no means have listed all the events happening around Michigan. Add ones we missed (with links) in the comments below!

~~ Summer Solstice ~~ by suesue2

The photo used for our June feature calendar is by suesue2 and appears in the Absolute Michigan Flickr pool. She notes that June 21st marks the summer solstice and comments:

June 21 is a very important day for our planet and it's relationship with the sun. June 21 is one of two solstices, days when the rays of the sun directly strike one of the two tropical latitude lines. June 21 marks the beginning of summer in the northern hemisphere and simultaneously heralds the beginning of winter in the southern hemisphere.

In 2009, summer begins June 21, 1:45 A.M. EDT

Quotes

"Summer is a promissory note signed in June, its long days spent and gone before you know it, and due to be repaid next January." - Hal Borland

“There are moments, above all on June evenings, when the lakes that hold our moons are sucked into the earth, and nothing is left but wine and the touch of a hand.” - Charles Morgan

"Of all the wonders of nature, a tree in summer is perhaps the most remarkable; with the possible exception of a moose singing "Embraceable You" in spats." - Woody Allen

June Fast Facts - Wikipedia

At the start of June, the sun rises in the constellation of Taurus; at the end of June, the sun rises in the constellation of Gemini.

The traditional June birthstone is the pearl.

The June birth flower is the rose, or the honeysuckle.

June is named after Juno (Hera). Juno was the goddess of marriage and a married couple's household, so some consider it good luck to be married in this month.

Things to Do, Places to Go

June 4 - 6
Greek Festival - Kalamazoo
Thirty three years ago it all began with a small gathering of friends enjoying the Greek culture in the basement of Dionysos Restaurant. Within a few years the festival grew in size and it could no longer be held in the restaurant. After much consideration it was decided to make the festival a one day outdoor event. The festival eventually grew in size to a three day event where musicians, singers, and dancers would come via Greece and share the authentic Greek experience. When joining us at the festival this year, in memory of Theo, remember him singing and dancing with his glass of Ouzo exclaiming OPA!

June 5 - 6
KIA Annual Art Fair & Beer Garden - Kalamazoo
The KIA Annual Art Fair is the oldest fair in Michigan, and the second oldest in the nation. Now in its 58th year, the fair boasts more than 35,000 attendees annually and will feature the works of more than 200 artists who will be competing for one of eleven prizes.

For the first time ever, the KIA is hosting a Beer Garden to kick off one of Michigan’s premiere weekend festivals – Art Fair. The Beer Garden will feature a well-loved summer treat, Bell’s Oberon. Guests will enjoy live music, snacks and an opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid from Seelye-Wright Automotive Group. The beer garden is a great place to stop and relax after visiting the KIA Art Fair, which opens Friday, June 5th at 5:00 PM.

June 5 - 7
Festival of the Arts - Grand Rapids
2009 marks the 40th festival of the arts, making it one of the longest-running festivals in the state. Always held the first full weekend in June in downtown Grand Rapids, festival of the arts is a community celebration featuring arts, entertainment, food and fun activities for the entire family. All performances, exhibits and activities are free!

Festival is the largest all-volunteer arts event in the nation!

June 5 - 14
Lilac Festival - Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island comes alive with scented flowers and many activities during the 60th annual Lilac Festival. Flowers, games, the Grand Parade and live music are just some of the events during the festival.

June 10
Wine Divas - South Haven
Tello Italian Bistro, South Haven. Enjoy a girls' night out featuring four wines from Round Barn Winery paired with four small courses. Wine Diva get togethers provide a fun and relaxing evening full of instruction, samples of wine and hors d'oeuvres. Sorry guys, this event is ladies only! Call 269-639-9898 to reserve your spot today.

June 11
Old Mission Peninsula Wine Dinner - Traverse City
Trattoria Stella, Traverse City. Another year of amazing winemaking brings us to the annual OMP wine dinner featuring the best of the new vintages paired with Chef Myles' amazing menu. This is an event you won't want to miss. Call 231-929-8989 to make your reservation. Information about the OMP wineries at www.wineriesofoldmission.com

June 11 - 14
Water Front Film Festival - Saugatuck
In what has quickly become a tradition, the idyllic resort village of Saugatuck, Michigan comes alive each June with filmgoers, actors, producers and directors sharing the excitement as outstanding independent films from all over the United States are screened in casual, intimate settings. Entertainment professionals from Los Angeles, New York and Michigan created the Waterfront Film Festival in 1999 to provide a "middle coast" venue for independent filmmakers eager to show their work to sophisticated audiences. The festival has succeeded with growing support and recognition each year, and enthusiastic reviews from attendees.

June 11 - 14
Bavarian Festival - Frankenmuth
Wilkommen to Frankenmuth’s 51st Annual Bavarian Festival It’s not just an event... it’s a feeling of "Gemütlichkeit", combined with the warmth and friendship of Michigan’s charming Bavarian Village. It all started in 1959 with a Grand Opening Celebration of the Bavarian style addition to Fischer’s Hotel on Main Street. Back then "Tiny" & Dorothy Zehnder gambled on "Bavarianizing" their restaurant and re-naming it Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn. Several years later the event out-grew the parking lots of the restaurants. The Civic Events Council of Frankenmuth took over the operation of what has become an annual Bavarian Festival!

Come and enjoy the Gemütlichkeit of Old Bavaria blended with hospitality of Frankenmuth.

June 12
Premium Pour - Leelanau Peninsula
This very special night in the series, "Premium Pour", takes place Friday, June 12th - the night before the popular Leland Wine Festival. It's called "Premium Pour" because it gives you a chance to tune up your palate with some top shelf and library wines from Leelanau wineries.

June 12 - 14
Gizzard Fest - Potterville
Gizzard Fest is an exciting event that overtakes the great city of Potterville, bringing an awesome time to all. There is a Beer tent at the greatest bar around, Joe's Gizzard City. There is a thrilling gizzard eating contest, enter if you think you have what it takes. Dancing, live music, BEER, what's not to like. Come down and have some fun!!!!

June 12 - 14
Nor-East'r Music & Art Festival - Mio
Featuring 3 days of a variety of original & traditional styles of music & dance presented on 2 stages; so you can shop for the performance you want to see. Dance classes will be available as well as music workshops & various other side shows.

Juried art will be available for viewing, buying & demonstrating. Most of those artists will be demonstrating their craft so you can observe, learn or even try your hand at the work on the spot! Free rustic camping on-site is also available with a weekend ticket or you can stay in local hotels & come and go as you like with your wristband.

Children's activities are planned throughout the weekend. They include instrument making, face painting, crafts, a play, story time, & a flute playing jam session & more. Vendor space for child artists is free!

June 12 - July 5
Ann Arbor Summer Festival - Ann Arbor
The Ann Arbor Summer Festival is an exhilarating celebration of performing arts, outdoor entertainment, and community spirit. Each year, this three-and-a-half-week cultural and social event offers dozens of performances, activities, screenings, and more, with eclectic music, dance, comedy, film, visual arts, and family fun.

June 13
Leland Wine & Food Festival - Leland
Come enjoy a day near the Leland Harbor and Leland's historic Fishtown tasting wines from local wineries and tasting the specialties from local restaurants and vendors. Listen to live music in the park all day from The Fabulous Horndogs and enjoy the beautiful views of Lake Michigan and the Manitou Islands.

June 13
Ella Sharp Wine and Art Festival - Jackson
Ella Sharp Museum, Jackson. Art fair booths and wine tasting booths, live music, food and wine for sale by the bottle or case. Tickets are required for wine tasting only - admission to the event is free. Each ticket includes one souvenir wine glass and 8 one-ounce tastes. Get your tickets in advance and save! Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Purchase tickets online at www.pioneerwinetrail.com.

June 18 - 20
Island Festival - Kalamazoo
Reggae music includes "international, national, regional, and local talent and is the largest celebration of the Caribbean culture in Michigan."

June 18 - 20
Lansing Juneteenth Celebration - Lansing
The mission of the Lansing Juneteenth Committee is to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States by celebrating the joys of liberty, educating the community about our heritage and by promoting positive cultural interaction.

June 19 - 20
Hot Blues and BBQ / Detroit Blues Challenge Kickoff 2008 - Oxford
5th annual Competition and Show, this year has Free Admission Both Days. 3 events, kickoff concert Friday evening, Detroit Blues Challenge starting at noon on Saturday, core festival begins at 4pm on Saturday. Event is part of a series of competitions in which winning acts advance to the next round, with the ultimate goal of sending one band from Metro Detroit to the National Blues Competition in Memphis, TN.

June 19 - 20
Straits Area Car Show - St. Ignace
All Original Vehicles 1984 and OLDER. Featuring All Makes & Models From Chrysler Corporation! Best Of Show Will Win A Two Night Stay At The Grand Hotel On Mackinac Island Michigan.

June 19 - 21
The Belleville National Strawberry Festival - Belleville
The variety of events taking place over three days of the National Strawberry Festival appeal to the young and young at heart. The Festival's broad audience and safe atmosphere offer sponsors a unique opportunity to reach a strong family oriented market, resulting in measurable advertising benefits and excellent business opportunities.

June 19 - 21
Dearborn Arab International Festival - Dearborn
This 3-day event is a free, family-centered cultural celebration that will attract over 300,000 people from Michigan, the Midwest, and Canada. This celebration of cultures will feature ethnic performances representing the diverse heritage of the people of Metropolitan Detroit. It boasts a great number of amusements, live musical acts-both local and international, 30 international food booths, coffee cup readings, henna, arts and crafts, a children’s tent, artisans, Arab merchandise, and a giant old-fashioned Ferris wheel that overlooks East Dearborn.

June 19 - 21
International Freedom Festival - Detroit
River Days is the perfect time to enjoy all the fun that the new Detroit International Riverfront has to offer. Michigan.org's Fun on the Water includes the DTE Parade of Lights, Tall Ship Highlander Sea, Coast Guard Days, Lake Guardian EPA Boat Tours, Diamond Jack’s Boat Tours, Detroit River Cruise, Gold Cup Boat Races Exhibitions, Jet Ski demonstrations, the Detroit Open Bass Fishing tournament and much more!

It takes 5 days for dozens of specialists to load 3 barges with 250,000 lbs. of fiberglass mortars, 100 miles of wire, 500 tons of sand and more than 10,000 fireworks shells for the annual fireworks display.

June 20
Lake Michigan Shore Wine Festival - Bridgman
Enjoy live music, food, fun in the sun, in addition to wines from the member wineries ... right on the shore of beautiful Lake Michigan! No advance ticket sales. Please bring CASH - no credit cards accepted. ATM will be onsite. Visit www.miwinetrail.com for more information.

June 20
M-22 Challenge - Leelanau County
Designed to test athletes against Lake Michigan’s natural terrain and the area’s environmental elements, the M-22 Challenge course promises participants an unforgettable experience with a bike race around Big and Little Glen Lake, an exciting paddle “anything” event on crystal clear Little Glen, and a challenging 2 mile run including dune climb overlooking Lake Michigan.

June 21
25th Annual Father's Day Festival and Corvette Car Show - Berrien Springs
Held at the Lemon Creek Winery & Fruit Farm the celebration runs from Noon to 6:00 p.m. Kids games run throughout the day, along with live music, hayrides and free wine tasting. Food will be available for purchase, along with discounted wine by the glass, bottle and case. Feel free to bring your own chairs. Call the winery at 269-471-1321 for more information.

June 25 - 28
Detroit Windsor International Film Festival - Detroit / Windsor
For 2009, The DWIFF returns to continue generating new opportunities for our community to engage in the growth of our film and creative culture and to promote our talented artists and craftspeople who engage in the art of storytelling- through film, video, games, the web, music and more.

June 25 - July 5
Muskegon Summer Celebration - Muskegon
Heritage Landing in downtown Muskegon is home to 11 days of concerts, events, fireworks, arts & crafts and carnival rides. Whether you're a kid or a kid at heart, Muskegon Summer Celebration has an event for you.

June 26 - 27
Festival of the Sun and Moon - Lansing
This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Old Town Commercial Association (OTCA) Festival of the Sun. For the past decade, Festival of the Sun and, more recently Festival of the Moon, has brought together friends, families, and neighbors from all over Michigan to the heart of Old Town. Celebrating the beginning of the summer season, revelers take part in Mid-Michigan’s premier wine, beer, and food sampling event and enjoy live music throughout the weekend.

June 26 - 27
Alpena Blues Festival - Alpena
Music and more at the Alpena County Fairgrounds! This year they will be donating a portion of the proceeds to the Vietnam Veterans of America and to the Sunrise Food Coalition. Camping reservations are being taken now.

June 26 - 28
Michigan Challenge Balloonfest - Howell
Check out Howell for the state championship of hot air ballooning, featuring more than 50 gorgeous balloons. Enjoy thrilling skydiving exhibitions, stunt kite shows, kids activities, a 5K run, a medieval village, arts festival and family entertainment and more

June 26 - 28
Michigan Energy Fair - Onekama
The Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association (GLREA) is presenting the 3rd Annual Michigan Energy Fair. This three-day event will unite people from throughout Michigan and the Great Lakes region to learn about energy issues and sustainable living. Attendees will have the opportunity to attend educational workshops; meet vendors offering valuable goods, services, and information; eat local food; and hear great live music.

June 27
Fenn Valley Wine Fest - Fennville
Join in the fun at our first annual Wine Festival, when we bring you wine tasting in the vineyards, great live music, specialty foods and a super afternoon. There will be tasting in the vineyards (weather permitting), providing you with an opportunity to visit the most picturesque spots on the farm while you taste a selection of our wines in the vineyard where they originated. Receive a souvenir wine glass, tasting tickets and a glass of wine of your choice.