The Calendar - Fairs, Shows, and Sales

This Week's Events

Fairs, Shows, and Sales
There's plenty of art and art fairs in Ann Arbor those other 361 days a year. A busy museum and gallery circuit provides many openings and shows to choose from. Each month you'll find antique shows, charity sales, and community festivals.

Highlights this week:

23rd Annual "Taste of Ann Arbor and the Rest of the World": Main Street Area Association.

12th Annual Orphan Car Show: Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Collection.

Yard Sale: St. Thomas Lutheran Church.

Saturday
May, 2008

9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Yard Sale: St. Thomas Lutheran Church. All invited to buy, sell, and trade stuff at this outdoor sale. St. Thomas Lutheran, 10001 W. Ellsworth Rd (west of Parker). Free admission. To reserve a table, call 355-1649. 995-7384.

10:00 a.m.
"Community Baby Shower": Washtenaw County Public Health Department An information fair, with booths on breastfeeding, nutrition, daycare providers, doulas, midwives, foster parenting, fitness, and more. Snacks and door prizes. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Ellen Thompson Women’s Health Center, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital (enter St. Joe’s from Clark Rd. and turn right on Elliott Dr. and left at the Specialty Health Services entrance; the Women’s Health Center is straight ahead). Free. 544-2973.

Sunday
June, 2008

8 a.m.-about 7 p.m. (races & games begin around 3 p.m. and last until 6 p.m.).
Horse Show: Spur of the Moment Club. June 1 & 22. A judged amateur riding event for kids and adults, including English, western, and halter riding styles. Also, fun games like barrel racing. Lunch available for purchase. Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. Free admission. 699-6671.

9 a.m.-4 p.m.
12th Annual Orphan Car Show: Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Collection. A display of extremely rare autos, around 300 "orphan cars" whose parent companies are long out of business. This year's show highlights DeSotos and Plymouths. Also, visitors can admire and learn about cars, trucks, roadsters, utility vehicles, and motor scooters dating from nearly every decade of the 20th century, as well as choice rarities, such as amphibious propeller-driven amphicars. Also, a narrated drive-by display (10:30 a.m. at the bleachers). An especially fun part of the festival is chatting with owners and discovering that many orphan cars are beautiful and treasured cultural artifacts. Proceeds benefit the collection. Riverside Park, Ypsilanti. $5 (kids age 12 & under accompanied by an adult, free). 482-5200.

11 a.m.-5 p.m.
23rd Annual "Taste of Ann Arbor and the Rest of the World": Main Street Area Association. A chance to savor bite-size tidbits of entrees and desserts from the kitchens of downtown restaurants and cafes. Entertainment at 3 stages. At the Main and Liberty stage: Royal Garden Trio (11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.) is an Ann Arbor ensemble that plays early jazz standards and Hot Club-style gypsy jazz. Ann Arbor Civic Theatre actors perform songs from the upcoming AACT production A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (12:45-1:15 p.m.). Popular local country-folk singer-songwriter Chris Buhalis (1:30-2:30 p.m.) is accompanied by a mandolinist TBA. Soul Full of Rhythm (2:30-3:30 p.m.) is a local funky tap dance ensemble from Randazzo Dance Studio. Nomo (3:30-5 p.m.) is an acclaimed local jazz-inflected Afrobeat ensemble. At the Main and William stage, big band swing by the II-V-I Orchestra (noon, 2 p.m., & 4 p.m.) and the popular local honky-tonk band George Bedard & the Kingpins (1 & 3 p.m.). At the Liberty and Fourth stage, Colors the Clown (11 a.m.)and Zeemo the Magnificent (2 p.m.) Also, activities hosted by the U-M Exhibit Museum and display of a crane, a bucket truck, and other vehicles in front of the post office on Liberty to promote the District Library "Construction Zone" summer reading program. Proceeds benefit the Michigan Theater and the Jaycees. Main St. between William and Washington sts. Free admission; redeemable food tickets 50¢ each. 668-7112.

11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sunday Artisan Market.:Every Sunday. Show and sale of fine crafts, jewelry, soaps, furniture, fiber arts, and gift items. Also, live music TBA. Farmers' Market. Free admission. 665-2009.

"Swap 'n' Shop": Chelsea Amateur Radio Club. Swap meet and sale of shortwave and ham radio antennas, parts, used radios, radio-related software and tools, and other items. Concessions and prizes. 8 a.m.-noon, Chelsea Fairgrounds, W. Old US-12, Chelsea . $5 donation (children age 12 & under, free). 475-7938.

Next Week | Back to Top