Michigan Loves Fireworks

Posted on by farlane

{j & t} by caterpillars
{j & t}, photo by caterpillars

As the 4th of July approaches, it’s a good time to dust off the link to MichiganFireworks.com. From Adrian (July 3)  to Ypsilanti (July 2&3), the Michigan Fireworks guy chick! remains dedicated to one thing and one thing only: letting you know when and where the sky is going to light up with professional pyrotechnics!

Speaking of lighting up, that’s some kiss! Check it out bigger in Laura’s slideshow and see hundreds more pics in the Michigan fireworks slideshow in the Absolute Michigan pool!

Have a happy & safe Fourth of July!

Michigan June Events!

Posted on by farlane


June, photo by creed_400

“There are moments, above all on June evenings, when the lakes that hold our moons are sucked into the earth, and nothing is left but wine and the touch of a hand.” ~ Charles Morgan

Absolute Michigan’s June Michigan Event Calendar says that June’s birthstone is the pear and flower is the rose or the honeysuckle. The month is named after Juno (Hera), who was the goddess of marriage and the married couple’s household, and it’s considered good luck to be married June.

The month kicks off with this weekend’s Kalamazoo’s Greek Festival & KIA Annual Art Fair & Beer Garden. There’s also the Festival of the Arts in Grand Rapids, one of the longest-running festivals in the state and the largest all-volunteer arts event in the nation!

Next weekend launches the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival (Jun 11-20) as well as the Water Front Film Festival in Saugatuck (Jun 10-13) the
Nor-East’r Music & Art Festival (Jun 11-13) in Mio and the Ella Sharp Wine and Art Festival in Jackson (Jun 12). If you’re in Leelanau County on June 12th, you van check out the M-22 Challenge in the Sleeping Bear Dunes and the Leland Wine & Food Festival.

June rolls on with the Ann Arbor Summer Festival (Jun 18 – Jul 11), the Hot Blues and BBQ / Detroit Blues Challenge Kickoff 2008 (Jun 17-19), Kalamazoo’s Island Festival celebration of reggae music (Jun 17-19), Lansing’s Lansing Juneteenth Celebration (Jun 18-19), the Belleville National Strawberry Festival (Jun 18-20), the Dearborn Arab International Festival (Jun 18-20) and the International Freedom Festival in Detroit (Jun 18-20).

We’re just halfway through the month and have’t touched on the Ann Arbor Summer Festival (Jun 18 – Jul 11), the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Festival in Bridgman on June 19th, Muskegon’s Summer Celebration (Jun 23 – Jul 4) and the Detroit Windsor International Film Festival (Jun 24-27) – head over to the Absolute Michigan June Event Calendar for details on all these events and more!

Be sure to check this out bigger and in his June 2009 set (slideshow).

Hey – it’s summertime – check our Michigan Summer Wallpaper Archive for photos to get your desktop in sync with the season!

Shark Attack Triple X: The Michigan Shark Experiment

Posted on by Michigan in Pictures

Shark Attack Triple X, photo by jnhkrawczyk.

Via the Herald-News in Roscommon:

…3 lakes in northern Michigan have been selected to host “an in-depth study into the breeding and habits of several species of fresh-water sharks.” Two thousand sharks are to be released into the lakes including blue sharks, hammerheads, and a few great whites.

The experiment is designed to determine whether the sharks can survive in the cold climate of Michigan, and apparently the federal government is spending $1.3 million to determine this. A representative from the National Biological Foundation is quoted as saying that there will probably be a noticeable decline in the populations of other fish in the lake because “the sharks will eat about 20 pounds of fish each per day, more as they get older.”

County officials have protested the experiment, afraid of the hazard it will pose to fishermen and swimmers, but their complaints have been ignored by the federal government. Furthermore, fishermen have been forbidden from catching the sharks. The report concludes by again quoting the National Biological Foundation representative, who says that “We can’t be responsible for people if they are attacked. Besides, anyone foolish enough to believe all this deserves to be eaten.”

Jill took this at The Heidelberg Project in Detroit. See it bigger in her Found Art slideshow.

PS: This was a spoof that the Roscommon News thought was real.

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Ann Arbor’s Annual Festifools

Posted on by Michigan in Pictures

The Cellist

The Cellist, photo by beautyredefined.

Every year in April, the good people of Ann Arbor hold a street festival called FestiFools. The event takes place on April 11, 2010 from 4-5 PM and features “huge puppets and random acts of foolishness”. The event began when UM art teacher Mark Tucker, then Art Director for the Michigan Thanksgiving Parade, traveled to Viareggio, Italy to learn the fine art of carta pesta (papier-mâché) from their amazing float builders (must-click!).

Click through to festifools.org for much, much more including how you can help them build puppets!

Check this out bigger or in Kristin’s Ann Arbor slideshow.

If that’s not enough, how about the FestiFools YouTube channel, the FestiFools Flickr group or everyone’s Festifools photos.

U.F.O

Posted on by Michigan in Pictures

U.F.O

U.F.O, photo by GH Patriot.

We’re getting reports of Unidentified Flying Objects over the Grand Haven Ski Bowl.

Be sure to check it out bigger and in Kevin’s snowboarding slideshow, which features more of the same.

Brian was there too.

March in Michigan

Posted on by farlane

Lake Superior In March (3)

“Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn.” – Lewis Grizzard

Every month we post an event calendar on Absolute Michigan that highlights some events from all over the state of Michigan. Our Michigan March Event Calendar features music & entertainment including the Metro Times Blowout in Hamtramck, the Ann Arbor Film Festival and the Brew-Ski Festival in Harbor Springs, celebrations of spring like Foremost’s Butterflies Are Blooming in Grand Rapids, reminders that winter isn’t quite over including the Annual Great Bear Chase Ski Marathon in Calumet and (of course) the Detroit St. Patrick’s Day Parade. March is also the season for shows, including the West Michigan Home & Garden Show in Grand Rapids and the Lansing Home & Garden Show and the The Michigan Golf Show in Novi.

Jim took this shot of an ice formation on Lake Superior taken near Little Girl’s Point in the far western end of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He says to check it out bigger, so do, and also see it in his Winter slideshow.

Snow day!

Posted on by Michigan in Pictures

Snow day!

Snow day!, photo by Larry the Biker.

Larry writes that Clinton Township received 7.5 inches of snow yesterday and the sledders took advantage of it.

Check it our bigger and see more in his snow day slideshow or his Winter set (slideshow).

You can also check out Snow Days past on Michigan in Pictures.

Icarus, 2010

Posted on by Michigan in Pictures

Micha

Micha , photo by john mark..

All limits are self imposed.

This modern Icarus is Micah Middaugh from the Michigan band Breathe Owl Breathe. Do not leave him open on the basketball court or he will make you pay.

Check it out bigger or in John’s slideshow.

More portraits on Michigan in Pictures.

Have a Splashtacularly Michigan Valentine’s Day

Posted on by Michigan in Pictures

A "Splash-tacular" shot.

A “Splash-tacular” shot., photo by Nicksnottoshabby.

Absolute Michigan is ready to help you Celebrate Valentine’s Day the Michigan Way featuring Valentine’s Day recipes from Michigan B&Bs and all kinds of links and info about how to do Valentine’s Day right.

Because Monday is President’s Day, there’s a slew of events from all across the state (check them out via Pure Michigan) including the first-ever Traverse City Wine & Art Festival Winter Wine Wonderland that I’m working on.

About this photo, Nick writes:

This is what I get into when my parents say I can’t go to the skatepark with all my friends… Luckily nothing really went to waste, the Cran juice was drunk, the strawberry devoured, and the newspaper recycled. My flashes are even powered by recharge batteries. What a smart, and Eco friendly kid I am.

Check it out bigger or in Nick’s slideshow.

February Fun in Michigan

Posted on by farlane

Misty February Morning

“Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour.”
~ John Boswell

Our Michigan February Event Calendar shows that from outdoor celebrations like Houghton’s Winter Carnival, the North American Snow Festival in Cadillac, the International 500 Snowmobile Race in the Soo, Detroit’s Winter Blast and the UP 200, Midnight Run Sled-Dog Championships in Marquette to indoor celebrations like the Taste the Passion wine tour in Leelanau, the Michigan International Auto Show in Grand Rapids, the Detroit Boat Show and the Winter Wine Wonderland in Traverse City, February is the month where Michiganders throw a snowball in winter’s face and head out to enjoy Michigan!

Check this photo of one of those golden February moments along the Grand River out bigger and in Jon’s My World Set (slideshow).