Here's a few highlights of the many events being held around Michigan for the month of January. A lot of them are out in the snow for snowmobiles, skates, skis and sled dogs, but there's also a chance to heat up with the Ann Arbor Folk Fest, Ferndale Blues and the Detroit Auto Show. The weatherman says there's a 100% chance we didn't get them all so please add links and information for those we missed along with reviews of ones we list in the comments below!

Chain of Skaters by Ashley Dinges

January 4-13
Sledfest - Ironwood
From the return of USSA sanctioned and Pro Vintage racing on the half mile Ice Oval track as well as a Vintage Snowmobile show and Snowmobile Swap Meet the first weekend, to a sanctioned ESPN Winter X-Games Qualifying Meet the second weekend the event will have something for everyone and the Gogebic County Fairgrounds will be the place to be for participants and spectators. Food, exhibits, displays and more will be housed in the Expo Building and on the fairgrounds both weekends.

January 5
Tahquamenon Country Sled Dog Race - Newberry
We are again looking forward to pristine trail conditions over beautiful terrain. Each year we seem to get just the right amount of snowfall, and each year our trail crews do a fantastic job of preparing great racing conditions for all our classes.

January 19
Heikinpäivä - Hancock
Heikinpäivä is set for January 19, 2008, with events throughout the week leading up to the primary festival day, as well as the days immediately following. Organizers keep a watchful eye on the celebration's uniquely ethnic flavor and it features Finnish crafts, music, food, films and games. Although a Hancock City event, the Heikinpaiva spirit has spilled into neighboring communities from Calumet to South Range.

January 19-20
Winter Warm-Up Weekend - Traverse City
Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail. Visit any of the participating wineries to enjoy mulled and other warmed wines from a souvenir mug! 12-5pm. Just $5 - includes souvenir mug, mulled/warmed wines and special treats.

January 19 - Saturday, January 27
The North American International Auto Show - Detroit
Celebrating its 20th year as an international show, the NAIAS is one of the longest running auto shows in the country. The NAIAS continues to be one of the world’s top international auto shows, and its increased global presence is starting to draw show goers from outside the Detroit region.

Last 2 weekends in January
Tip Up Town USA - Houghton Lake
It's hard to put into words how Tip Up Town USA has come to be the very description of winter fun and enjoyment for the whole family at Houghton Lake. Thousands of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and neighboring residents return each year to see this largest Winter Festival in Michigan, held annually the last two weekends in January. Whatever the weather, TUT will be fun, fun, fun all the way. There will be all the usual popular attractions - the carnival, parade, Polar Bear Dip, Family Fun Tent, Beverage Tent, crazy games and more! Plus, the Ice Fishing contests will be bigger and better than ever and we're adding Broomball this year!

January 24-27
Winterfest - Grand Haven
Can someone in Grand Haven poke the Winterfest people ad ask hem to update for 2008? Here's a Winterfest video from This is Grand Haven.

January 25-26
Ann Arbor Folk Festival - Ann Arbor
31st Annual Ann Arbor Folk Festival The Annual Ann Arbor Folk Festival, a fundraiser for The Ark, will celebrate its 31st year with some of the finest in traditional and contemporary artists. The Festival returns to Hill Auditorium for two dynamic and different nights of folk and roots music on Friday, January 25, and Saturday, January 26, beginning at 6:30 p.m. each night. In keeping with the Festival¡s longstanding reputation, each night will feature a blend of renowned and up-and-coming performers, providing audiences with the opportunity to hear popular artists working at the top of their field while discovering terrific new talent. All funds raised through the Festival benefit The Ark, Ann Arbor's non-profit home for folk, roots, and ethnic music.

January 25 - 27
26th Annual Plymouth International Ice Sculpture Spectacular - Plymouth
The 26th annual event will feature over 100 statues carved from a single block of ice; numerous multiple block sculptures utilizing from 5 to 100 blocks and professional ice carvers crafting dazzling statues from 330-pound blocks of ice. Unlike other winter events, the visitors to Plymouth Community International Ice Sculpture Spectacular watch a carving from the very beginnings of stacking the ice blocks through the carving process to the finished work of ice art. The majority of the carving and the student competitions take place during the daylight hours for the pleasure and enjoyment of the audience.

January 25 - February 2
Ferndale Blues Festival - Ferndale
Created to help combat "winter blues" and benefit local charities, this year marks the 7th annual festival and will be held at various venues over the span of 9 days. Each year, the Annual Ferndale Blues Festival donates 100% of proceeds to two charities. Ferndale Youth Assistance is an organization that works closely with the Ferndale Schools and the Oakland County Court System to provide youth with counseling and tutoring programs, camp opportunities, and other services.

January 26
Subaru Noquemanon Ski Marathon and mBank Half Noque - Marquette
The Subaru Noquemanon Ski Marathon and mBank Half Noque, both in their tenth year, continue to attract cross country skiers from around the nation and around the world. Thousands of skiers have taken the 51K or 25K trek from Ishpeming, the birthplace of organized skiing and home to the U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame to Marquette's Superior Dome, the world’s largest wooden domed stadium along the shores of Lake Superior.

All Month
Ice Skate Campus Martius Park - Detroit
Skating among the skyscrapers at Campus Martius Park. At 64 feet by 120 feet, it's a bit larger than the Rink at Rockefeller Center and showcases surround-sound music and color-changing lighting. Skaters and visitors can enjoy a warming pavilion for renting and changing skates, as well as outdoor seating. The rink is open daily though March 9.