Our Michigan event calendar for the month of March features all kinds of signs that spring is just around the corner (with some reminders that objects around the corner may be further off than they appear.

Sneeky Butterfly by curlyson

March 1 - April 30, 2008
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids
Foremost's Butterflies are Blooming exhibit is the largest seasonal butterfly exhibit in the United States. Over a period of eight weeks, thousands of tropical butterflies flit and flutter in the tropical habitat of The Lena Meijer Conservatory at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. This year you'll be charmed by more than 40 species of butterflies and moths in our tropical conservatory. Dazzling longwings, scarlet swallowtails, brilliant brush-footed butterf lies and the bright green African Moon Moth — a kaleidoscope of talented stars from around the world in one eye-opening experience. You'll have to see it to believe it.

March 15-23, 2008
Easter Egg Hunts, All Over Michigan
Compilation of Easter egg hunts, parades and bonnet competitions across the state

February 28-March 2, 2008
West Michigan Home & Garden Show, Grand Rapids
West Michigan's largest Home & Garden show is back for its 29th season and better than ever! Over a dozen gardens, three free seminar stages, floral arrangement classes and a standard flower show, plus tons of other attractions you can't miss! With over 350 exhibitors featuring every product and service you'll ever need for your home, garden or landscaping, all under one roof, this is the show to attend!

March 1, 2008
Fiddlers Jamboree, East Jordan
Come hear some great music and have lunch, fun for the whole family.

March 1-2, 2008
Detroit Kennel Club Benched Dog Shows, Detroit
The Detroit Kennel Club is preparing for the milestone 100th and 101st dog shows. The DKC is one of just six American Kennel Club benched shows in the United States. A benched show means that the dogs stay on the bench with their owner for the entire day when they are not in the ring. This gives the public the rare opportunity to meet with just about every breed of dog and to be able to talk to and consult with the breeders and discover which breed is right for them.

March 5-8, 2008
Metro Times Blowout 2008, Hamtramck
Metro Times presents the 11th annual BLOWOUT music festival. BLOWOUT showcases over 200 of metro Detroit's most influential, unique and celebrated bands, djs and solo artists. These 200 acts perform at 20 venues over 4 nights creating the largest local music festival in the U.S. Past performers include: Eminem, The White Stripes, The Von Bondies, The Hard Lessons, The Sights, The Go, His Name is Alive, Obie Trice, The Dirtbombs, Detroit Grand Pubahs, Howling Diablos, Paradime, Motor City R&B Pioneers, Blanche, The Detroit Cobras and many more.

March 7-9, 2008
The Michigan Golf Show, Novi
This is the nation's largest golf show with over 400 exhibitors occupying 7 acres. The golf show offers a variety of interactive experiences with indoor hitting range, free pro instruction, longest drive and closest to the Pin contests. Whether just a beginner or an experienced golfer you'll find everything you need here.

March 7-9, 2008
Detroit Autorama, Detroit
"America's Greatest Hot Rod Show", is held at Cobo Center.

March 7-9, 2008
Michigan Home & Garden Show, Detroit
At this years home & garden show the theme is "Tropical Breeze" with more than 150 creative displays, floral arrangements and designs in youth, horticulture and educational entries and exhibits. Stroll along and enjoy the shows beautiful gardens and landscapes, and walk through a 2-story log home which has been built out on the football field. From the show you can catch a bus and go on the Detroit Home tour and visit newly built lofts and condominiums along with renovated mansions.

March 7-9, 2008
Flushing's Annual Walleye Festival, Flushing
This is the 8th annual Walleye Festival, it is a three day event with a fish fry on Friday night, a pancake breakfast Saturday morning followed by a "Snakes, Reptiles and Amphibian Presentation" on Saturday at noon.

March 8, 2008
Snowmobile Poker Run, St Ignace
Participants collect playing cards from businesses along the snowmobile trails. Prizes for best poker hands, Deere Feed Trail Stop, and Mystery Hand prize.

March 9, 2008
Daylight-Savings time begins, All Over
Wikipedia tells us: "The practice can be controversial. Adding daylight to afternoons benefits retailing, sports, and other activities that exploit sunlight after working hours, but causes problems for farming, entertainment and other occupations tied to the sun. Extra afternoon daylight reduces traffic fatalities; its effect on health and crime is less clear. An early goal of DST was to reduce evening usage of incandescent lighting, formerly a primary use of electricity; changes in usage patterns have cast doubt on whether DST now saves energy."

March 9, 2008
28th Annual Great Bear Chase Ski Marathon, Calumet
A laid-back, skier-oriented weekend in Calumet on the beautiful Keewanau Peninsula. You can choose between 26-km and 50km distances including a separate category for 26-km classic skiers. The Junior Bear Chase is a youth Nordic ski race for skiiers up to 16-years-old.

March 13-16, 2008
Lansing Home & Garden Show, East Lansing
The largest Home & Garden show in the Mid-Michigan area, this show fills the MSU Pavillion. There are incredible gardens, and extensive landscaping projects besides the Standard Flower Show. The focus of the show encompasses the full range of home products from landscaping and lawncare to remodeling and new construction. In addition to the hundreds of exhibitors there will be educational seminars presented by building experts, professional interior designers and garden and professional landscapers.

March 13-16, 2008
Ultimate Sport and RV Show, Grand Rapids
The Ultimate Sport and RV Show is one of Michigans favorite shows for the fisherman, hunter, RVer or a family who just loves the outdoors. Over 350 exhibitors will be at the show with the latest in outdoor gear, fishing boats, RV's and travel information. 4 stages will be set up with nearly 100 fishing and hunting seminars. Not to be missed is "Lake Ultimate" the 110,000 gallon indoor lake.

March 14-16, 2008
Carnival Weekend at Boyne, Boyne Falls
Mardi Gras moves north for the weekend to Boyne Mountain. Bands, costume competitions, the slush cup and parties all over the resort will make this a memorable weekend.

March 14-16, 2008
Krazy Daze at Boyne, Harbor Springs
Kid's events include a silly slalom, costume judging, Nastar and more. Is it true they build a pond and let people ski and snowboard across? You bet it's true. So dress up or dress down, just make sure to be part of the fun. The party in The Zoo Bar on Saturday will be fun for the adults!

March 15-16 2008
Kalamazoo Living History Show, Kalamazoo
This years theme is; "Michigan in the Civil War - They Died to Make Men Free". More than 10,000 re-enactors from the French and Indian through the Civil War are expected along with history buffs, collectors and the general public. The Kalamazoo Living History Show is now the largest juried event of its kind in the Midwest devoted to pre-1890 original or reproduction living history supplies and related crafts.

March 16, 2008
St. Patrick's Day Parade, Detroit
Sponsored by the United Irish Societies in metro Detroit, the parade runs along Michigan Avenue in the area known as "Corktown", so called because of the many immigrants that came and settled here from County Cork. The parade travels down a dozen or so blocks passing by historic Tiger Stadium and the Gaelic League/Irish American Club.

March 25-30, 2008
Ann Arbor Film Festival, Ann Arbor
The Ann Arbor Film Festival is the longest-running film festival of its kind in North American and receives over 2,000 submissions each year from more than 30 countries and serves as one of a handful of Academy Award-qualifying festivals in the country. This festival is known internationally as a showcase for creative, inspiring and influential films of all types

March 31, 2008
Detroit Tigers Home Opener, Detroit
First game this season at Comerica is a rare March opener. The Tigers' fearsome new lineup takes to the field against the Kansas City Royals. Check out the Only Way to Get Opening Day Tickets via The Detroit Tigers Weblog.

Did we get them all? Not likely!! Add ones we missed (with links) in the comments below!