Enjoy trains, trolleys, bikes and boats during Melon Festival

In addition to all the fun in downtown Howell during Melon Festival weekend, August 20-22, guests to the event can travel by train, trolley, bikes and boats, all major attractions for the 50^th celebration of Melon Festival.

Trolley tours depart from the Historic Howell Depot at 128 Westmore St., starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The 45-minute tour, in partnership with the Howell Area Historical Society, offers the experience and thrill of historic downtown Howell and surrounding neighborhoods from the open-air vantage point of a vintage rolling trolley. Cost is $10 for adults, $8 for children 12 and under, and free for children four and under sitting on an adult’s lap.

All aboard the rails for an old-fashioned train ride to historic Byron Station in a vintage passenger car pulled by a classic diesel locomotive. The hour-long journey through the scenic Michigan countryside operates over the tracks of the Great Lakes Central Railway. Round trip tickets for Saturday and Sunday depart from the depot several times during the day. Cost is $17.50 for adults and $13 for children three to 12 years of age.  Children two and under are free when carried by an adult.  The adult price has been discounted to $17.50 in recognition of the city’s 175^th anniversary.

Tickets can be ordered at www.howellmelonfestival.com.

Ready for a melon cruise? The Michigan Princess docks on Thompson Lake beginning Wednesday, August 18 for lunch, dinner and party cruises. The cruises benefit the Howell Melon Festival, downtown Howell, and the Livingston County Humane Society. Dinner cruises are $35 for adults and $17.50 for children four to 12; lunch cruises are $25 for adults and $12.50 for children four to 12; and moonlight cruises for adults only are $10 per person. For updates on cruising times, visit www.melonfestival.com.

Finally, like to bike? Register your two-wheelers for Doc May’s Commemorative Melon Ride on Saturday at 9 a.m. The 15-mile tour begins and ends at the historic Livingston County Courthouse and travels through Howell neighborhoods, the City Park and Lakeview Cemetery. T-shirts, melons and melon ice cream are all part of the ride. Cost is $15 in advance or $20 the day of the ride. Register at www. howellrecreation.org.

Other attractions planned for the Melon Festival include a Melon Ball, anniversary alley, Michigan Made Arts & Crafts Show and bed races followed by a nighttime PJ party to watch the movie “Bedtime Stories.” Traditional favorites including Howell melons, melon ice cream and the Melon Run are once again part of the family fun.

The City of Howell and the Howell Downtown Development Authority are partnering with civic groups and community leaders to present the Howell Melon Festival. For more information, visit www.howellmelonfestival.com.

Adventure Night at the Howell Conference and Nature Center

The Howell Conference and Nature Center offers canoeing, archery, hayrides and fishing during its summer kids series.

When: Monday, July 19, 2010 at 6 p.m.

Where: 1005 Triangle Lake Road

How Much? $8/adults, $6/ ages 12 and under

Register: 517-546-0249 or www.howellnaturecenter.org

Fowlerville Family Fair Starts Monday

Enjoy tons of fun at the Fowlerville Family Fair!

When: Starts Monday, July 19- Saturday, July 24, 2010

Cost:  $5/adults, $2/ages 6-12, free/5 and under

For more information go to www.fowlervillefamilyfair.com

The Phoenix Players presents Alice in Wonderland

All of the fun and nonsense of the classic Lewis Carroll story for the whole family to enjoy!

The Phire Phlies, The Phoenix Players youth acting ensemble with actors aged 7-13, will present a new adaptation of the story by playwright William Glennon. This version is so close to the original in intention and feeling that audiences might suspect that Carroll himself had written it.

In this adaptation, a group of performers find themselves unable to perform the play because there is no one willing to play Alice. Magically, however, Alice herself appears, ready for the adventure to begin. With innovative staging designed to appeal especially to children, the wit, nonsense, and fun of Lewis Carroll’s delightful book is presented in a way that makes the story enjoyable for even the youngest playgoer.

Alice in Wonderland show dates and times are as follows:

Saturday, May 15 - 1:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 16 – 2:00 p.m.

 Saturday, May 22 – 1:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.

 Sunday, May 23 – 2:00 p.m.

 For tickets call (810)-588-3662.  Advanced Sale tickets are $12 each, $10 each for seniors and students, $8 each for children (age 13 and under)

 At the door (all shows, if available), $12 each for all seats

The Phoenix Players Theatre at the Historic Green Oak Township Hall is located at 10789 Silver Lake Road, South Lyon, MI 48178.  For more information you can visit www.thephoenixplayers.org.

Celebrate Howell History on Saturday, May 22

Head on over to Howell for the 8th Annual Howell History Days on Saturday, May 22, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Vintage Baseball Game and Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social is back at Page Field at 2:30 p.m. Dave Rozema, former Tiger, will also be on-hand signing autographs!

NEW this year is a “Howell Hidden History and Urban Loft Tour.” Discover hip downtown lofts and history you never knew existed inside the rarely seen corners of our downtown buildings! See history come alive with a Civil War tribute, and historic tractors and vintage cars.

Don’t forget the kick-off for our celebration of Howell History with the 4th Annual Historic Preservation and Design Awards program at the Opera House, on Thursday, May 20, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Five property owners will be recognized for interior and exterior renovations or additions to historic buildings in Downtown Howell. RSVP by May 14 to nvoght@downtownhowell.org or 517-540-6727.

For maps and detailed timing information visit the Howell History Days website.

Howell Opera House Hosts Music Tribute Series Friday Nights in May

Friday nights in May just got a lot more fun thanks to The Howell Opera House who will begin hosting their Friday Night Music Tribute series this Friday, May 14.

Beginning each friday at 7 p.m. you can stop in for the music, a glass of wine or beer and chat it up with friends! Dance if you feel inspired by the live band music of The Leaky Tikis’ Jimmy Buffett Tropical Tribute on May 14, Toppermost Beatles Tribute on May 21 and Scottie Alexander’s Elton John Tribute on May 28.

Tickets are $10 at the door or call 517-540-0065 for more pre-event tickets.

The Howell Opera House is located at 123 W. Grand River, Howell, MI  48843.  www.theoperahouse.us

Mom 2 Mom Sales in and around Livingston County

 

Keep your Saturday morning free for these great Mom 2 Mom sales in and around Livingston County! 

Byron Elementary
 401 E. Maple Byron MI 48418
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
$1 admission
989-271-8603 

First United Methodist Church
640 S. Lafayette, South Lyon MI  48178South Lyon, MI 48178
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
$1 admission
248-924-2338 

Village Elementary
10632 Hibner Road Hartland, MI 48353
9 a.m. – noon$1 admission /early bird admission at 8:30am for $2.00
Strollers are welcome after 10am
810-626-2850
 

 

Pinckney Players present Mitch Albom’s Duck Hunter Shoots Angel

The Pinckney Players proudly present Mitch Albom’s Duck Hunter Shoots Angel a hilarious comedy about a depressed tabloid journalist from New York City searching for two guilt-ridden Alabama duck- hunting brothers who believe they shot a celestial being. The show is full of zany characters like a donut-eating photographer, the crazed boss, a shop girl at the local gas-mart, a half man-half alligator and a ghost. This play is an out-of this world tale full of magical moments and unexpected second chances and features a surprise ending that few playgoers see coming. Audiences hail this tale as a comedy with a heart-felt message.

Performances will be April 17, 23 & 24 at 7:30 pm and April 18 at 2:00 pm at the Jane Tasch Theatre,2100 E M-36 (at McGregor Rd.)  Tickets are $13 for adults and $11 for seniors and students. 

For more information call 810-220-9332 or visit the Pinckney Players Box Office online.

The Great Egg Hunt and Farmer John Show at Kensington Metropark

 

Hop on out to Kensington Metropark on Saturday, April 3 for the Great Egg Hunt and Farmer John Show. 

Watch the Farmer John and The Barnyard Express animal show at 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. The Easter egg hunt will be held at 1 p.m.  Kensington Metropark.  $3

Livingston County Easter Egg Hunts Begin!

 

Spring is here and Easter is just around the corner.  Tradition states that egg hunts must be held everywhere for all the children to enjoy, and families in Livingston County have three opportunities this weekend to play hide-n-seek with the elusive colored eggs.

Join 2/42 Community Church on March 27 at 11 am for the “BIGGEST EASTER EGG HUNT KNOWN TO MAN!” There will be music, storytelling, and lots of candy!  Voyager Elementary 1450 Byron Rd. in Howell  http://242community.com/easter-egg-hunt

SELCRA hosts a free Easter egg hunt from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday at Mt. Brighton Ski Area, 4141 Bauer Road in Genoa Township. Children should bring their own baskets. Call (810) 299-4143 for more information. 

Brighton Community Education hosts an Easter egg hunt for kids 9 and younger from 1:30-3 p.m. Saturday at the Miller Intergenerational Center at 850 Spencer Road in Brighton. Cost is $5 per child and includes games, contests, refreshments. Photos with the Easter Bunny are available at an additional cost. Call (810) 299-4130 for more details.

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