July Happenings

This week and next-according to the weatherman- is traditionally the hottest of the year, and it is certainly living up to it's reputation. There are so many events this week and next, in and around the Irish Hills, I hope the heat doesn't spoil them. This week is the Ann Arbor Art Fair-one of the best in the country!www.visitannarbor.org. This weekend is the Country Music Festival at Michigan Speedway-MIS. It has a peculair name www.fasterhorsesfestival.com. I read that the promoter was wondering what to call it and since this is car country-namely Ford Motor country-he read, that years, ago Henry Ford was asked "what do the people want?" His answer was "faster horses" thus the name of the Festival. Also this weekend is the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Jackson at Ella Sharp Park www.hotairjubilee.com.There are 22 balloons entered and the morning launches are at 6:30 am(weather will of course affect them). The Lenawee County Fair starts the 21st in Adrian and runs for the week. This is a great"county fair" with many animals- horses,cows, sheep, goats, chickens, and many 4H exhibits. And(I'm not done yet) On your way to Ann Arbor, you could stop in Saline at the Rentschler Farm Museum -it's right on US12- to celebrate Henry Ford's 150th birthday. July 20, from 11am-3pm. There will be some of the earliest cars, Model T,A B and Tractors and a historical performance at 1pm. And, last but not least, Thursday July 18 is the start of the Michigan Shakespeare Festival which runs thru August 11 at the Potter Center in Jackson. For more info visit :www.MichiganShakespeareFestival.com or call 517-998 3673 If all this tires you out and you need some time to relax,visit Dewey Lake Manor B&B and enjoy the lake. Oh, I did forget, there is a Farmers Market every Sunday from 11-2 at Walker Tavern.