Ready for the Harvest by lpwines

Say hello to September and enjoy the bountiful harvests and beautiful scenery it brings. September is a perfect time to enjoy the outdoors with it's warm days and cool evening temperatures (not to mention the declining mosquito population). As far as things to do in the Great Lakes State September is ripe for the picking. So get out and enjoy the harvest celebrations, color tours, wine trails and the abundant festivals and fairs! As usual we by no means have listed all the events happening around Michigan. Add ones we missed (with links) in the comments below!

"Autumn arrives, array'd in splendid mein;
Vines, cluster'd full, add to the beauteous scene,
And fruit-trees cloth'd profusely laden, nod,
Complaint bowing to the fertile sod."
- Farmer's Almanac, 1818

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 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 28 - September 1
Michigan Peach Festival Romeo
The five-day festival includes an art exhibit, crafts shows, children’s day in the park, numerous family activities, nightly entertainment, amusement rides, delicious food, Harley-Davidson raffle, multiple parades, 5k run, antique car show, bike night, semi-pro wrestling, baby photo contest, Texas Hold’Em tournament, beers around the world tent, annual used book sale, peach pie stations, fly-in breakfast and end of summer sales at many local merchants.

Throughout the entire weekend visitors can enjoy many varieties of food such as BBQ specialties, pulled pork dinners and sandwiches, spaghetti dinners, ice cream stands, steak dinners, farmers breakfast and of course peach pie, peach cobbler, peach ice-cream, peach tea and many more peachy treats. The variety of food that will be available from the local restaurants, food vendors and charitable organizations is sure to delight the senses.

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.

August 29 - September 1
2008 Shoreline Spectacular Muskegon
Arts and Crafts Fair -- Labor Day Parade -- Rides on Laura the Elephant and watch her bathe in Lake Michigan -- Inflatable Playground -- Face Painting -- Free Kids Art Workshops -- America’s Best Frisbee Dogs -- Live Bands Every Night

August 29 - September 1
Logging Fest Newaygo
The Logging Fest takes place over Labor Day Weekend. Newaygo was built around the logging industry, and we are celebrating our logging heritage. Highlights of the Logging Fest include the Chainsaw Sculpture Competition and Auction, Lumberjack's Competition and Fireman's Water Battle. The Arts & Crafts Show in Brooks Park is host to exhibitors from all over the country displaying their arts and crafts. The local merchants have sidewalk sales. The event also includes kids activities and games, and on Sunday a parade route goes through downtown Newaygo.

September 1
Labor Day Bridge Walk Mackinaw City
The Labor Day Bridge walk, recognized as "the world's greatest walking event", brings over 70,000 people to the area. Buses are available for transportation to the north end of the bridge. Participants walk from the north side to the south. At the finish line you are awarded a certificate of completion.

Make the LABOR DAY BRIDGE WALK a new tradition and join in Mackinaw City this year.

September 5-6
Smokin' Jazz Barbecue Blues Festival Brighton
The Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce's Smokin' Jazz Barbecue Blues Festival was created approximately three years ago, and after its conception quickly became Brighton's hippest event. Not only does this event bring you authentic jazz, blues and zydeco, but it also offers some of the tastiest barbecue this side of the Mason/Dixon line.

September 5-6
Hopps of Fun Beer & Wine Festival Mackinaw City
This unique event will feature an extensive sampling of 50 plus award winning Michigan microbrewed beers and over 40 wines from Michigan’s four internationally recognized wine regions. Brewmasters and winemakers will be on hand to answer questions and discuss the brewing and winemaking process.

September 5-7
Wine and Harvest Festival Paw Paw

• Music - 3 stages of entertainment for all musical tastes
• Sports - Choose from our hole in one contest, 5k walk/run or our bicycle tour.
• Family Activities - Carnival rides, free children's activities in Stompyland, Fireworks on Maple Lake, Parade, and the Grape Stomp.
• Wine Enthusiasts - Wine tours and wine tasting tents abound throughout the festival area.
• Other activities include: Car show, Arts & Crafts show, turtle derby, and much more!!

September 5-7
Wheatland Music Festival Remus
Each year thousands of people converge on the 160-acre festival site to enjoy a wide variety of activities, as well as the star-studded lineup on the main stage. The annual Wheatland Music Festival is held the first weekend after Labor day in September.

September 6
Old Mission Peninsula Wine & Food Celebration "a WOMP in the Park" Old Mission Peninsula
The Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula (WOMP) have teamed together with area restaurants for the first annual Old Mission Peninsula Wine & Food Celebration. The ticket includes a souvenir glass and wine tasting tickets. Additional tasting tickets are available as well. Menu offerings will range in price from $3-$10. Join them for a taste of the best local wines and food this unique destination has to offer!

September 6
ODRAM (One Day Ride Across MI) Montague
Experienced riders in good condition, are you up for a challenge? Join us for this self-supported 152-mile ride across Michigan, from Meinert County Park north of Montague to Bay City State Park. The route is fairly flat and (most years) the wind is with you, but just finishing is a worthy achievement! Although patterned after the Race Across America, ODRAM is not a race — just a challenge!

September 6
Port City Street Fair Manistee
Enjoy autumn at the Port City Festival in historic Manistee. See the Riverwalk, entertainment,
food, the antique car show, arts & crafts fair, special exhibits and more.

September 6-7
Great Lakes Cider & Perry Festival St. Johns
The Great Lakes Cider & Perry Festival is set for September 6-7 at Uncle John’s Cider Mill in St. Johns. Throughout the weekend, samples of the finest cider and perry (cider made from pears) from the Great Lakes area will be available for tasting. In addition to the cider and perry tastings, food vendors will be selling sweet and savory selections. Attendees will also have an opportunity to stock up on these not-so-easy-to-get beverages, available for purchase during the event. Live entertainment, including Spur of the Moment Band from 1-4pm on Saturday and Fading World Band from 1-4pm on Sunday, as well as all of Uncle John’s Cider Mill’s family-based activities will make up the weekend’s festivities.

September 6-7
Historic Home Tour Marshall
The Marshall Historical Society's Annual Historic Home Tour was chosen by The Michigan Living Magazine as the best in the state of Michigan.

Each year on the weekend after Labor Day Marshall opens its doors to thousands of visitors. The visitors come to see the eight historic homes, four museums, a business and a church, that are featured on the tour.

September 11-13
Epicurean Classic Traverse City
Enjoy cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, receptions, and superb dinners taking place over the course of the 2008 Classic. Of note this year is the implementation of the Day Pass. The new Day Pass or, Two Day Pass grants you access to over twenty cooking demos each day, and entrance into our expanded Tasting Pavilion. For most of you, that will add up to a huge savings. We suggest you keep track of the chefs you wish to see then make a beeline for the appropriate demo stages during the event. You’ll find a lot of exciting activity with four concurrent demo stages. And, don't forget to allow yourself time for an occasional stroll into the Tasting Pavilion for an interesting nibble of food or to sample any of the hundreds of international wines.

September 11-14
Troy Daze Festival Troy
Each September, the Troy Daze Festival attracts nearly 100,000 people to celebrate the community. An array of activities offer fun for the entire family - and opportunities to discover something new each day.

September 12-14
Silver Lake Sand Dunes Apple & BBQ Cook-Off Festival Mears
Annual Festival held at the Silver Lake Sand Dunes that is located along the Lake Michigan Shoreline between Muskegon and Ludington, Michigan. Enjoy the Michigan sanctioned Kansas City BBQ Cook-Off Competition, farm fresh apples of Oceana County, a dune buggy show and swap, apple pie contest and entertainment.

September 12-14
Michigan Irish Music Festival Muskegon
Featuring 3 days of live music on 3 stages, from traditional Irish and folk to contemporary Celtic rock. The festival centerpiece, the Pub Tent serves authentic Irish Food and beverages.

September 12-14
Victorian Festival Northville
Journey back through time to a simpler era with a visit to downtown Northville's 20th annual Victorian Festival on September 12-14. Experience the art, history, and romance of the 1800's amid Northville's historic downtown district and tree-lined streets.

September 12-14
"On the Waterfront" Car Show & "Big Rig" Truck Show St. Ignace
The well known St. Ignace Car Show was formed in 1975 and the first show was held the last Saturday of June 1976. 134 vehicles were on display that year. The show continued to grow each and every year and by 2004, 2500 collector vehicles were on display with 100,000 spectators observing.

September 13-14
Annual Grape Harvest Stomp Old Mission Peninsula
Experience Old World grape harvesting as you hand harvest and de-stem grapes from the vineyard, then stomp them by foot in a wooden vat. Cost of $35 per person includes tasting of the wine made from the vineyard's grapes at Peninsula Cellars, and sampling of local delicacies. Advance reservations required.

September 13-14
Living History Encampment Belmont
This is an annual event where visitors can view first hand what life in early America was like. This is a time line event featuring military & civilian living historians demonstrating our country’s history from colonial times to the present. This event is supported by local citizens and businesses, and is open to the public at no charge. Historical re-enactors will be wearing authentic period clothing and living in period shelters. Traditional Artisans will demonstrate their historic skills, including blacksmithing and woodworking throughout the weekend. Activities will also include musket and cannon firing and multi-period military tactical Demonstrations.

September 13 – October 31
Colorfall Grand Rapids
This annual celebration of the autumn season features an extensive chrysanthemum display with hundreds of flowering plants in both interior and exterior areas. Indoor highlights include varieties on display along the winding Scenic Corridor and the Seasonal Display Greenhouse, while outdoor plantings are featured in the English Perennial Garden, Michigan’s Farm Garden and Volunteer Tribute Garden. Color tours, tram rides and seasonal children’s activities offer a unique way to experience autumn.

September 18-20
Festival of the Falling Leaves Moon Mackinac Island
Binaakwe-giizis is Anishnaabe (Chippewa/Ojibwe) for falling leaves moon, this festival celebrates the heritage of Mackinac Island's Native peoples and the fall bounty. This moon celebrates the time of year when the trees were told to stay awake for seven days and seven nights and only the cedar, pine and spruce obeyed. As a reward the are 'ever-green' and those that were unable to stay awake must shed their leaves each fall.

September 18-21
Oktoberfest Frankenmuth
In 1990, Frankenmuth, "Michigan's Little Bavaria," celebrated its first Oktoberfest. The Frankenmuth Oktoberfest celebrates German culture, heritage and love. Our goal is to incorporate as many of the sights, sounds, taste and traditions of the original Munich Oktoberfest as possible. We strive to retain as much of our Bavarian heritage as possible and proudly demonstrate this during the Frankenmuth Oktoberfest. Frankenmuth is the first Oktoberfest outside of Munich to be sanctioned by the Parliament and the City of Munich.

Come and enjoy the flavor of German cooking! We offer a variety of authentic German foods, served daily. Delight your senses with Norm's Market catered delicacies. Be sure to enjoy Paula's Famous Funnel cakes. You won't want to miss out savoring some German beers along with the traditional Bavarian Inn pretzels.

September 19-20
Old Town BluesFest Lansing
The Old Town BluesFest is a two-day FREE music festival that brings local, regional, and national acts to an audience of roughly 15,000 people from across Michigan and nearby states. BluesFest'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.

2008's BluesFest is scheduled for Friday, September 19 and Saturday, September 20. The festival takes place in the streets of Old Town, surrounded by the best of the Capital City's art galleries as well as unique retail stores and grand architecture. Vendors line the streets offering ethnic food, beverages, art, clothing, and crafts, and nearby galleries and boutiques open their doors during festival hours.

September 19-21
Salmon Festival Grand Haven
The outdoor-waterfront festival features live jazz music; Michigan wine tasting pavilion featuring Michigan’s top wineries and grape stomping; gourmet salmon cook-off contest; fall harvest beer & entertainment pavilion; downtown merchant market; fine art fair on the waterfront; Big King Salmon fishing contest with weigh-in/awards ceremony; mouth-watering food and beverage treats at the Fresh Catch Fish Boil; Grand Haven historic displays through the Tri-Cities Museum; hands-on children’s nature-themed arts & crafts activities; and educational, environment-focused exhibits, displays, workshops—and more!

September 20
Copper Country Color Bike Tour Houghton
Three course lengths are available – a 200K loop, a 100K loop and a 50K out and back. The 200K loop is a full day’s ride which will take you along the length of the Keweenaw Peninsula, from Houghton to Copper Harbor. The course includes scenes such as Fort Wilkins, Brockway Mountain, mining ghost towns, and McLain State Park. Five rest stops will be offered and pasties will be offered in Copper Harbor.

September 20
Kalamazoo Irish Fest 2008 Kalamazoo
Live Celtic music featuring: Donnybrook, Kennedy’s Kitchen, Belfast Gin, Fonn Mor, Harvest Home, Whiskey Before Breakfast, Kalamazoo Pipe Band, Embarr, Rare Combination, Merry Sisters of Fate, Freshwater and The Bog Road. Irish Step Dancers from the Erin Quinn School of Irish Dance and the Irish Dance Company of Lansing. Supervised children's area with arts and crafts activities and games and prizes, all with a Celtic theme. Food vendors and Guinness Beer Tent with Irish Cuisine and drink. Over 20 merchandise vendors, selling Irish and Celtic themed clothing, jewelry, arts and crafts and more. Cultural Area where you can learn about your family’s genealogy, have your palm read and learn about the art of calligraphy and the craft of weaving.

September 20
Harvest Festival Leelanau State Park
The second annual Fall Harvest Festival at Leelanau State Park is being held in partnership with the Fox Island Light House association and the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum. The Fox Island Association will be serving a pancake breakfast beginning at 9 a.m. and serving bratwurtst after noon. A silent auction will be held all day. Activities will include: cider making; a bee keeper will be on hand to explain honey production; a maple syrup producer will have a display of sugaring tools and explain processing. Special activities for children will include pumpkin bowling and candle making.

September 20
Evening at an 1896 Logging Camp Grayling
Journey back to 1896, when Salling, Hanson and Company's Section 9 Camp logged what is now Hartwick Pines State Park. As a "new employee," you will travel the quarter-mile lantern-lit route from the Grayling train depot (the Hartwick Pines visitor center) to the logging camp (Hartwick Pines Logging Museum), where Section 9 Camp is preparing for the upcoming winter logging season.

There, you'll learn "first-hand" about the logging industry, logging-camp life and some of the dangers of a logging job. You will meet and talk with shantyboy Morris O'Gorman about life in the bunkhouse, landlooker N. P. Salling about the search for the tall timber and camp cook Mrs. Billings about the huge appetites of the lumberjacks and how much food she needs to cook for them.

After you go through the museum and meet all the residents of the camp, enjoy the campfire and a hot beverage.

September 20
Historic Fort Wayne: History, Mystery & Haunting Detroit
Enjoy a fascinating evening of history and haunting as Kathleen Tedsen & Beverlee Rydel, authors of "Haunted Travels of Michigan" tell the story of Fort Wayne's darker history. The event will cover the history of the fort and recent paranormal activities. Documented evidence will include photo's, audio and video. Paranormal equipment and techniques will be demonstrated and explained. After the presentation, small groups will be taken on a tour of the fort and grounds. Flash lights, camera, audio recorders recommended. 7:00 p.m... to 12:00 a.m. Light refreshments served.

September 20-21
Harvest Stompede Vineyard Run & Walk Leelanau
The weekend features a race through Leelanau's vineyards and a wine tour of LPVA member wineries featuring wines, gourmet pastas and other culinary delights. This event sold out in 2007 so get your tickets now!

September 20-21
Michigan's Center For The Photographic Arts Fall Focus Festival Grass Lake
Michigan’s Center for the Photographic Arts holds their annual Fall Focus Festival/Fine Art Show the third weekend of September every year.

September 20-21
Autumn Harvest Festival Negaunee
Visit the Michigan Iron Industry Museum for their first-ever falltime celebration. This weekend of family fun includes music, blacksmith and craft demonstrations and light refreshments. Kids will enjoy games, storytelling, pumpkin painting and paper mask making.

September 21
Southwest Michigan Community Harvest Fest Scotts
You're invited to the 6th Annual Southwest Michigan Community Harvest Fest, a celebration of local food, local farming and sustainable living. This nonprofit event runs from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and offers two tents full of exhibitors and vendors drawn from a 9-county area, hands-on activities for kids, and a variety of presentations and demonstrations. There's even a full roster of musical performance. Admission is just $10 per carload. For details, including directions to the site, visit www.swmiharvestfest.org.

September 21
Helluva Rodeo Hell
Helluva Rodeo is takes place at TMZ Farm on Patterson Lake Road in Putnam Township, one mile east of Hell and two miles from downtown Pinckney. SuperKicker promises a rip roaring show this year full of great rodeo entertainment! This year, TMZ Farm is again excited to host this fabulous event. The morning (gates open at 9am) will be filled with a Pancake Breakfast, morning rodeo exhibition, business exposition, Children's Carnival, Food, Exciting Bungee Bull, plus old fashioned photos, moonwalk and more. At 1:30pm SuperKicker productions will present over two hours of Bull Riding, Bronc Busting, Team Roping and Barrel Racing. And don't forget the fun and exciting Mutton Busting and Calf Chases for the kids.

September 25-28
Four Flags Area Apple Festival Niles
A four day festival based in Niles, Michigan. The festival is one of the top festivals in the State of Michigan. Four Flags Area Apple Festival is on the corner of Lake and 17th Street. We offer Carnival rides, Food vendors, Arts and Crafts on Saturday and Sunday with over 190 booths, Parades, Contests, FREE Entertainment, and Much Much MORE for all to enjoy!!!

September 27-28
American Heritage Festival Lansing
Join them for a step back in time and experience a piece of our rich Mid-Michigan cultural heritage. A day the whole family will enjoy. Farmers Market, pioneer toys, Apple cider pressing, spinning, live animals, blacksmithing, historic farm tool display, spinning, lace making, good old time music, Grand River pontoon boat rides, good food, WolduMarket and much more.