All the folks staying in Ypsilanti this spring and summer, don’t fret. There is plenty to do in Ypsilanti and its surrounding areas; all you have to do is look around. Whether you’re a fan of fitness, community service, music, art or simply entertainment, there’s something for everyone.
In the month of May alone, Ypsilanti has many events in store. If you are in the mood for community service, on May 18 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. there is Ypsilanti P.R.I.D.E. Day 2013, a day where the local community comes together to encourage community pride and helps out local businesses by cleaning up and “beautifying” Ypsilanti. 500 to 1,200 volunteers are expected to arrive at the Recreation Park.
If you missed the Color Run, there’s also a Heart Walk sponsored by the American Heart Association of Washtenaw County at Washtenaw Community College on May 19. On campus, Eastern Michigan University’s own fashion club, Fashionality, is having a model casting call on May 13, 15, and 18 in the Student Center.
On May 25 is the Annual Free Pops Concert by the Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra at the Riverside Park. If you’re willing to drive a bit, the infamous Movement Electronic Music Festival, sometimes known as DEMF, is coming to Detroit once again from May 25 to 27. If you’re looking for concerts that aren’t as much of a long drive, there are always performances at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor. Go to blindpigmusic.com for more information on events.
In June, even more festivities are coming up. From June 9 to 14 experience Ann Arbor Restaurant Week, when select restaurants all over Ann Arbor provide discounts and special deals. If this isn’t enough excitement for you, the annual Ann Arbor Summer Festival comes almost a week later. It features music, dance workouts, stage shows, movies and more from June 14 to July 7 in Downtown Ann Arbor. On June 22, Ypsilanti’s annual Ton Up Motorcycle Show is taking place in Downtown Ypsilanti and Riverside Park.
July brings us S’Mittenfest, a summer version of the annual Ypsilanti Mittenfest Music Festival. Featuring local and regional bands and is a fundraiser for 826michigan, an organization helping Washtenaw County youth with their education. It will be on July 20 at The Magic Stick in Detroit.
Back in Ypsilanti, we have the Michigan Elvis Fest in Riverside Park from July 12 to 13 featuring performances by “Elvis” himself and lots of other entertainment opportunities. For folks 21 and up there’s the annual Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Beer Festival also at Riverside Park with more than 400 different types of beers all from state of Michigan, as well as food and live music to enjoy.
On top of all of this, there are events going on throughout the entire summer. Visit the Riverside Arts Center in Ypsilanti for fitness and arts courses. In Ann Arbor, there is The Performance Network, Michigan Theater and The Ark where you can listen and see theatre and music performances.
If you’re looking to create delicious meals this summer with fresh fruits and vegetables attend the Farmer’s Market Days starting from May 7 to October 29 in Downtown Ypsilanti, May 4 to October 26 in Depot Town, and every day at Ypsilanti Food Co-Op on North River Street.
For more information about events happening in the area this summer, go to VisitYpsiNow.com, A2SF.org (Ann Arbor Summer Festival), emich.edu/calendar, movement.us, and Facebook.
