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Summer Fun Around Ann Arbor

June 3, 2021

School’s out, the weather is warming up and residents of Ann Arbor and the surrounding towns are ready to get outside and participate in fun activities this summer. After a year of spending more time at home, you might not be sure where to start when it comes to planning your family’s summer events calendar, but Norfolk Homes can help. We care deeply about the communities we build in, so we stay up to date on what’s going on around town—not just to ensure our homeowners love the area they live in, but also to help support local businesses, strengthen community initiatives and further development of the greater Ann Arbor area. 

Annual fairs and festivals 

The largest juried art fair in the nation, the Ann Arbor Art Fair is a well-known Midwest tradition that draws hundreds of thousands of attendees each year. From Thursday, July 15th to Saturday, July 17th, the streets of Ann Arbor transform into an art lover’s paradise where visitors and locals can appreciate and purchase original works of art, watch street performances, enjoy culinary treats and shop a variety of sidewalk sales. 

The Ann Arbor Summer Festival celebrates performing arts, outdoor entertainment and community spirit through a four-week gathering offering dozens of performances, activities, exhibitions and screenings throughout Ann Arbor and the surrounding areas. After a year off, the festival will host a mix of in-person (both indoor and outdoor) and digital events starting on Saturday, June 12th—including adapted versions of popular past events, like Top of the Park.   

Food, wine and beer connoisseurs will want to check out the annual Art, Beer & Wine Festival in Jackson on Saturday, August 7th. Hosted by the Ella Sharp Museum, the festival will feature local wineries, breweries, cider mills, distilleries and food vendors to showcase their talents and connect them to new customers. 

Recurring weekly events 

Listen to musical acts from every genre on Thursday nights at Sounds & Sights in Chelsea. This free, weekly event runs from July 1st through August 12th and features outdoor performances from local and visiting musicians. Whether you listen to folk, bluegrass, Celtic, jazz, classical, country, Latin or anything in between, there’s a lineup for you and your family to enjoy. 

For more musical entertainment, area residents can check out Dexter’s summer concert series every Friday at 6:30 in Monument Park. 

Farmers markets offer a great way to purchase the freshest produce, discover new foods and support local vendors. There’s a variety of markets to choose from, so residents can find one to attend just about anywhere in the area on almost any day of the week. Both the Ann Arbor Farmers Market and Chelsea Farmers Market are held on Saturdays and Wednesdays, while the Grand River Farmers Market in Jackson is open on Fridays and Saturdays this summer. The Grass Lake Farmers Market in downtown Grass Lake is available on Wednesday evenings now through October. Lastly, visit the Dexter Farmers Market in historic downtown Dexter every Tuesday afternoon and Saturday morning. 

Everyday attractions perfect for summer 

Aside from organized events and activities, the greater Ann Arbor area is known for its well-maintained parks. Every park is unique, hosting a variety of amenities for people of all ages, abilities and interests. Play mini golf and visit flower gardens at Ella Sharp Park in Jackson, walk or bike on miles of trails at Gallup Park in Ann Arbor or explore a scenic local forest at the Miller-Smith Preserve in Dexter. 

For both novice and experienced golfers in the area, summer is a perfect time to hit the links and check out courses of all skill levels. If you’d rather spend time on the water, there’s plenty of opportunities along the Huron River and surrounding creeks and lakes to boat, fish, kayak and swim during the warmer months. 

Love where you live

If you’ve been thinking of moving to one of these vibrant communities, now is the time to explore what new construction can offer your family. Check out the current inventory of quick move-in homes, learn about our upcoming communities and see how living in a Norfolk Homes neighborhood can help you live life to the fullest. Contact us today by filling out an online form.