Our May calendar is packed full diverse events. It is a sign of much more to come for the Great Lakes State in 2011 and we like to think of May as a bridge to all that fun! By no means listed have we listed all the events happening around the state, so add ones we missed (with links) in the comments below!

Red Bridge by Alanna St. Laurent

"Spring - an experience in immortality." - Henry D. Thoreau

"An optimist is the human personification of spring." - Susan J. Bissonette

"Never yet was a springtime, when the buds forgot to bloom." - Margaret Elizabeth Sangster

"If we were flowers, We would worship the sun" - Jon Anderson

Fast Facts - from Wikipedia

• May's birthstone is the emerald which means love or success. Its birth flower is the Lily of the Valley and the Crataegus monogyna.
• May is the fifth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. It is also a month within the northern season of spring.
• The month may have been named for the Greek goddess Maia, who was identified with the Roman era goddess of fertility, Bona Dea, whose festival was held in May.
• In both common and leap years, no other month begins on the same day of the week as May. This month and June are the only two months that have this.

Things to do, Places to go!

May 6-8
Green Street Fair - Plymouth
Green Street Fair was founded to help educate and inform people of all ages about the benefits of green, organic, and eco-friendly products and services. To promote global interest and personal well-being, the Green Street Fair blends companies, artisans, entertainers, workshops and speakers together in a friendly and family-oriented outdoor environment. Consumers who attend the Green Street Fair will be encouraged to learn the advantages of taking strides, large or small, towards living a healthier and greener life.

May 7-14
Tulip Time Festival - Holland
The Tulip Time Festival is a celebration of Dutch heritage and culture, a multi-generational event that has a little bit of something for everyone including; 3 amazing parades, multiple Dutch Dance performances, concerts, theatre, Dutch attractions, Dutch food, children's events, trolley tours and so much more!

May 6-7
Jackson Storyfest - Jackson
Organized by volunteers and supported by generous foundations, businesses and individuals, Jackson Storyfest has offered a free weekend of storytelling for more than twenty years. Annually, over 5,000 students visit downtown Jackson to hear stories by national, regional and local tellers as they weave their magic at various downtown locations.

May 6-8
Mushroom Festival - Mesick
Mesick is billed as the mushroom capital in the United States. Head over and enjoy their adventurous fun filled days, for people of all ages. Carnival rides for the thrill seekers, crafts and hobbies or flea market for treasure hunters, ball games for the players. Several contests for mushroom hunters, lucky duck race, horseshoe toss, horse pull.

May 8
Mother's Day - All Over Michigan!
Celebrate your mother and mothers everywhere!

May 8
Kalamazoo Marathon - Kalamazoo
The 26.2 mile race takes place on Mother's Day, with other weekend races including the Borgess Half Marathon, Borgess 5K Run, Priority Health 5K Walk and Meijer Kids Fun Run on Friday, May 6..

May 12-15
Morel Mushroom Festival - Boyne City
Each May, Boyne City fills with hundreds of mushroom lovers from around the country who come seeking that elusive delicacy-the marvelous morel. Found in nearby woods and clearings, morels are favored by those who know their 'shrooms.

May 13-15
Downtown Hoedown - Detroit
The free Downtown Hoedown was established in 1983 and is widely recognized as the largest Country Music Festival of its kind in the world. Hosted by 99.5 WYCD, Detroit's Best Country  at Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit, the Hoedown is regarded by the Country Music Industry as a premier showcase opportunity for new and established artists and attracts hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic country music fans from the Midwest and beyond. Josh Gracin, Jason Aldean and Joe Nichols will headline an event that features more than 40 local and national acts.

May 13-15
Motor City Comic Con - Novi
Annual "multi-media event with over 1 million comics and collectables for sale and trade. "Comic books, writers, artists, anime, gaming, special guests, and more. Convention held at the Rock Financial Showplace.

May 13-15
Durand Railroad Days - Durand
Durand Railroad Days was established in 1975 to pay tribute to the rail industry that helped develop the nation and was responsible for the settlement of Durand late in the 1870's. What started as a small hometown celebration with a few rides for children, has grown into a celebration that covers the entire downtown area.

May 14-15
Annual Flower Fair & Home & Garden Marketplace - Lake Orion
Get ready for warm weather with flats of flowers, buckets of perennials, yard ornaments and expert advice. Look to their Home and Garden Marketplace for the latest trends in updating and remodeling your house. Located in the heart of the downtown district in Lake Orion, special features include: Kids Activities - Entertainment - Easy Eats - Art Fair.

May 21-22 (we think)
Ann Arbor Book Festival - Ann Arbor
The Ann Arbor Book Festival's mission is to promote reading, heighten awareness of literacy challenges, and showcase the rich culture of the written word in Michigan and beyond. We aren't positive as to the date, but it's always paired with the Ann Arbor Antiquarian Book Fair which takes place Sunday May 22nd.

May 21
Kirtland's Warbler Wildlife Festival - Roscommon
Guided bus field trips to the Kirtland's warbler viewing sites, Off-Campus Birding Field Trips, Tour of Camp Eldorado, a former Civilian Conservation Corps site, Nature Presentations, Pancake Breakfast, Barbecued-Chicken Lunch, Music by Blue Water Ramblers, Kids' Activity Tent, Horse-drawn Nature Tours, Campus Nature Walk and more!

May 21
MIS Great Lakes Wine Fest - Brooklyn
Join wineries, meaderies & cideries from all over the state at the Michigan International Speedway for a chance to taste and enjoy the fruits of Michigan!

May 20-21
World Expo of Beer - Frankenmuth
The World Expo of Beer is a beer sampling extravaganza! If you love beer, you will love the World Expo of Beer, with over 250 brews to choose from. If you don't love beer, but you love a good time, you will still love the World Expo of Beer. With live entertainment both nights, an expanded area to accommodate more beer enthusiasts, great local food, and best of all…this year we are going green and throwing in the sampling mug for FREE (with paid admission) to eliminate disposable cups! Prost!

May 21-22
East Lansing Art Festival - East Lansing
Hundreds of artists from Michigan and beyond come to Downtown East Lansing to exhibit art of all kinds. Painting, Ceramics, Sculpture, Blown Glass, Wood, Metal, Photography and more fill the booths that line the downtown streets. The East Lansing Art Festival features a variety of activities, performances, and demonstrations for your enjoyment. The international food court features dozens of vendors with tastes from around the world! Don't miss out on all the delicious foods this year.

May 25
Towel Day - The Galaxy
Towel Day is an annual celebration on the 25th of May, as a tribute to the late author Douglas Adams (1952-2001). On that day, fans around the universe proudly carry a towel in his honour.

May 27-29
Traditional Arts Weekend - Remus
Where else can you learn to play the fiddle, go to a day-long bluegrass school, learn songwriting tips, tie a fly for trout season, explore yeast dough baking, practice yogo, learn to Tango, Clog or Swing dance, stargaze with fellow astronomers, weave a black ash basket, make a pine needle rimmed gourd and paint a silk scarf ~ all in one weekend?......At the annual Traditional Arts Weekend held every year in Remus, Michigan over the Memorial Day Weekend. Over 80 workshops, dances, performances and hands-on activities for the entire family taught by over 60 instructors. This very popular Wheatland event is for those seeking more personal instruction in traditional dance, music, song, arts and crafts.

May 28
Petoskey Stone Festival - Eastport
Head to Eastport and help celebrate everything Petoskey, our much treasured state stone, at Antrim County's Barnes Park. Petoskey stones are composed of fossilized skeletons of colony corals which lived their lifespan in the warm sea waters that at one time covered all of what is now the beautiful state of Michigan.

May 28
Annual Mackinaw Memorial Bridge Race - Mackinaw City
GEAR UP for an Active Summer with the Mackinac Bridge Memorial Weekend Race. One of the only times of year that runners are allowed to run the Mackinac Bridge will be on May 29th, 2010. Must register in advance and be able to run a minimum of 12 minutes per mile pace.

May 28-29
Dog Bowl 2011 - Frankenmuth
Events include: Great Lakes Dock Dog Competition, Disc Dog Competition, Border Collie Sheep Herding Demonstration, Canine Cruise on the Cass River, Weiner Dog Races, Pet Parade, Silly Pet Tricks, Rockin' Dog Look-Alike Contest, 100 Yard Doggie Dash, Dog Breeds of the World with Pet friendly dining and lodging available!

May 28-29
Alma Highland Festival and Games - Alma
The Alma Highland Festival and Games began in 1968. The festival is located on the Alma College campus in Alma, Michigan. Each year the festival brings visitors the very best of Scottish tradition. The festival combines great competition with Scottish hospitality.

May 28 - 30
Movement - Detroit's Electronic Music Festival - Detroit
The Detroit Electronic Music Festival (DEMF) festival is on again in Detroit. Known now as Movement, the festival has been handed off from techno pioneer Derrick May to his protege Kevin Saunderson, and finally to Detroit-based electronic music promotion company Paxahau. Movement is still considered to be true to its roots and the history of electronic music in Detroit, widely considered to be the the birthplace of techno. This year's lineup has a diverse roster of established acts including Fatboy Slim, 69 (Carl Craig) and Felix da Housecat  alongside up-and-coming artists.

May 28-30
Ft. Michilimackinac Historical Re-Enactment Pageant - Mackinaw City
The Fort Michilimackinac Pageant Committee along with the re-enactors would like to cordially invite you to join them in their annual re-enactment at Fort Michilimackinac during Saturday, Sunday, and Monday of Memorial Day weekend. This unique performance of the area's rich history is the longest running FREE attraction in the State of Michigan.

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