Morning of the 2025 Splash-In by Footsore Fotography
The Grand Marais Splash-in is an annual gathering of seaplane pilots from that takes place in the village of Grand Marais next weekend (June 18-21, 2026). There’s events every day with the most fun on Saturday.
Gary is our Michigan in Pictures go-to for all thing Grand Marais & shared this picture last year. Follow Footsore Fotography on Facebook for his latest and view & purchase his work from his website.
Ren Cen Raceway by Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix
As an estimated 1.3 million Michigan drivers get ready to hit the road for Memorial Day, elite Indy car drivers from all over the world are gearing up for next weekend’s annual Detroit Grand Prix (May 29-31, 2026). The 3-day event is a lot of fun for all ages with features including a qualifying heats and a classic sports car race.
PS: If you want to get in on the fun, the Detroit Grand Prix Association is still looking for volunteers to join their team!
PPS: The Detroiter in me is a little sad at the realization that this will be the last Detroit Grand Prix featuring the iconic Renaissance Center towers looking like this!
When Pigs Fly by The Kite Festival at Grand Haven
The annual Kite Festival at Grand Haven takes place THIS Saturday (May 16th, 2026) from 10am – 5pm and Sunday 11am – 5pm at the Grand Haven State Park beach! (Wind and weather permitting)
PS: Thanks to Michigan Native Photography for reminding me – for sure check out his awesome pics on Facebook!
Holland’s Tulip Time Festival takes place May 1-10, 2026. This iconic Michigan festival is nearly 100 years old, and I can’t tell you how delighted I am to learn that it was started by a biology teacher who was in love with the area’s natural beauty:
The idea of Tulip Time was introduced in 1927 at a Woman’s Literary Club meeting. Miss Lida Rogers, a biology teacher at Holland High School, suggested that Holland adopt the tulip as its flower because of its close ties to the Netherlands, and set aside a day for a festival. She titled her talk that day “Civic Beauty” and spoke at length about the area’s unique sand dunes, its fine trees, safe water supply, pure milk, and ample playgrounds. She advocated planting more trees, and because the Chamber of Commerce was seeking something appropriate, suggested planting tulips in every yard. She concluded with reading a poem, “Come Down to Holland in Tulip Time.”
In 1928, City Council, under Mayor Ernest C. Brooks, appropriated funds to purchase 100,000 tulip bulbs from the Netherlands. These bulbs were to be planted in city parks and other areas. Initial plans called for a “Tulip Day.” Bulbs were available to Holland residents at one cent a piece.
Thus, it was in 1929 that thousands of tulips bloomed, and Holland invited visitors to come during a week in May. Because of interest shown, it was decided to make Tulip Time an annual event with Mrs. Ethel Telling as the first chairman. Under Mrs. Telling’s leadership, the Festival was organized emphasizing Dutch costumes and wooden shoes. The revival of old Netherlands customs and traditions naturally followed, and visitors and townsfolk found the Festival both unique and picturesque.
Sean shared a hype video of his Tulip Time pics to our Michigan in Pictures group on Facebook & writes: “Tulip Time 2025 broke records with nearly a million(976,000) flower-chasers flooding Holland—up 30% from last year. 4.5 million tulips. $50 million in impact. One word: blooming! 
”
Indeed!! Follow along with Sean at Tulip Time ’26 on his Facebook or Instagram.
More tulips & Tulip Time & on Michigan in Pictures and I have to say that this photo by Sean looks like it’s straight out of Oz!!
Editor’s note: I don’t know if I’ve ever had 3 sports posts in a single week or started & ended the week with a photo from the same photographer. Guess it’s just one of those special weeks and one of those special photographers!
NCAA Fan Jam Mobile by Montez Miller
Although the NCAA National Basketball Champions haven’t even held their parade yet (Saturday, April 11 @ 10am in Ann Arbor), the NCAA is already beginning promotions for the 2027 NCAA Men’s Final Four in Detroit that takes place April 3 & 5 at Ford Field (click for tickets & details).
Our friend Montez Miller was at the kickoff yesterday in Detroit for the NCAA Fan Jam Mobile tour that will travel to the 83 counties of Michigan through April of 2027 to build awareness and excitement for another huge event for the state of Michigan & our largest city.
Here are some more photos from the Detroit event below, and I snuck in a gorgeous shot of the new Hudson’s in downtown Detroit that she shared last night! Follow her on Facebook for the latest!
Detroit Tigers Opening Day at Comerica Park
With sunny skies and temps near 70° at 1:10pm when fan favorite Brandon Inge throws out the first pitch, today looks like a fantastic day for Tiger baseball and Opening Day fun!
If you’re not lucky enough to have tickets to the sold out home opener, a highlight will be the Opening Day Block Party that takes over Witherell Street alongside Comerica Park with music, entertainment, and fan activations with appearances from PAWS and Rally Cats.
Other highlights for the day include Downton Detroit’s free Opening Day Tailgate Party in Grand Circus Park next to the ballpark with the food trucks & the game on the big screen, and of course my friends in the Honest 2 God Jug Band playing the opening day party right after the game at historic Cliff’s Bells.
Let’s go Tigers!!
Festifools by Destination Ann Arbor
Destination Ann Arbor shares that two classic April Fools events: FoolMoon & FestiFools return to Ann Arbor next weekend. Both events are all ages fun and take place in downtown Ann Arbor.
FoolMoon happens Friday, April 10th from 7:30pm to midnight. The theme this year is is Fools of a Feather, and they are inviting winged creatures of all kinds to dress in creative costumes and bring luminaries light up Ann Arbor’s streets! Festifools happens Sunday, April 12 from 4-5 on Main Street. The theme is Back to the FOOLture so somebody remember to pick up Marty!! Get all the details from Destination Ann Arbor.
PS: For sure check out FestiFools Studio where they make a lot of these awesome marionettes!
Woody Getting Ready by Howell Nature Center
While most of the nation turns its eye towards Punxsutawney Phil, true Michiganders know there’s only one source for your winter woodchuck weathercast: Howell Nature Center’s own Woody the Woodchuck. Woody has been a fixture at the nature center since (at least) 2017 when I shared the photo from John Heinz Jr of lil Woody figuring out if something was or wasn’t food.
If you’re in the neighborhood, their free Groundhog Day Celebration is already underway, but you can also tune into their Facebook livestream that starts at 8:20 am!
UPDATE: They had a little trouble with the livestream but ultimately got it going. Sadly, Woody is in agreement with Phil that we have 6 more weeks of winter on the way!
Here are a couple more pics of Woody cause I love her, especially the little baby pic by John! More Groundhog Day, woodchuck & whistle-pig fun on Michigan in Pictures!
Detroit Institute of Arts by Coretta Billy
A lot of the photographers I feature on Michigan in Pictures as well as many readers are from the Detroit area. If you are and are interested in growing your skills and/or your network of photographers, I encourage you to check out the “Click & Create: Detroit Photography Meetup” this Saturday, Jan 24th 10:00 AM at the Detroit Institute of Arts.
They write: “Join us for a photography meet-up designed to spark creativity across all ages and skill levels. We’ll explore the space together, work from shared shot lists, compare styles, and trade inspiration as we capture fresh perspectives in the heart of the city …. Meet inside the Woodward Entrance. Bring your camera or phone. No flash photography. No tripods or extra equipment. Just your eye, your curiosity, and your creative energy.”
Coretta Billy shared the event with me. She specializes in portraits & events, and is of the photographers who will be in attendance. You can follow her on Facebook and view & purchase her work at corettabillyiecphotography.com.
Detroit Auto Show by Montez Miller / Tell Us Detroit
The annual Detroit Auto Show kicks off today at Huntington Place in Downtown Detroit. This annual celebration of automotive design & car culture runs January 14-25, 2026 & features new models, test tracks, and all kinds of auto related fun.
Montez Miller of Tell Us Detroit was there for an early look with Autot Show officials and new Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield. You can follow Tell Us Detroit’s coverage on Facebook, click to check out her video with some photo highlights of the preview, also also see highlights in the Detroit Auto Show’s hype video featuring GMac Cash. It’s really a great experience for car lovers!
