Business activities
• Oakland County Michigan Works presents a virtual workshop, “Meet NotebookLM,” Google’s AI Research Hub that fixes information mess, 11 a.m.-noon May 20, part of the Employer Virtual Workshop Series, register at tinyurl.com/msk5b2u6.
Community activities
• AgeWays Nonprofit Senior Services invites the public to comment on its multiyear plan to spend approximately $26.4 million annually in state and federal funds for critical senior services in fiscal years 2027-2029. The AgeWays service area includes Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair and Washtenaw Counties. The draft plan is available at AgeWays.org. Written comments on the plan can be submitted by May 23, 2026, to Katie Scharf at kscharf@ageways.org or to Katie Scharf, AgeWays Nonprofit Senior Services, 31700 Middlebelt, Ste. 140, Farmington Hills, MI, 48334.
• Detroit Zoo’s newest exhibit, the Fred and Barbara Erb Discovery Trails, opens May 23, at Detroit Zoo, 8450 W. 10 Mile Road, Royal Oak, featuring up-close animal encounters, aerial climbing experiences and interactive spaces, https://detroitzoo.org/discovery-trails.
Farmers markets/Flower and plant sales
• Annual Art & Flower Fair is May 16-17, (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday) downtown Lake Orion, fundraiser for the Orion Art Center, more than 100 art, flower, plant, and craft vendors, live artist demonstrations, music, and family activities, https://orionartcenter.org.
• Northville Flower Sale: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. May 22 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. May 23, at Main and Center St. Northville, www.northville.org/spring-flower-sale.
• “Get Your Start on a Home Native Garden” stroll is 10:30 a.m.-noon May 30 at Wint Nature Center. Learn about native plants and take home a free plant to start your own wildflower garden, all ages, $15/person. Preregistration with payment required by calling 248-858-0916 weekdays or 248-625-6473 during nature center hours.
• The Birmingham Farmers Market is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays, May 3, through Oct. 25 at Public Parking Lot 6 at 660 North Old Woodward Avenue in downtown Birmingham. Parking is free on Sundays in public garages and at metered spaces, https://downtownbirmingham.com/visit/farmers-market.
• Oakland County Farmers Market summer market hours are 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, May 2 through December, (open year-round on Saturdays), at 2350 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford Twp., email OCmarket@oakgov.com, 248-858-5495, www.facebook.com/OaklandCountyFarmersMarket. Spring Flower Days series is 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays, May 10, 17 and 24. Friday Night Flowers is 4:30-9 p.m. May 29.
• Farmington Farmers and Artisans Market is 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, May 2 through Nov. 7, at Walter E. Sundquist Pavilion, 33113 Grand River Ave., at Grove St., farmingtonfarmersmarket.com.
• Fenton Farmers Market is 5-8 p.m. Thursdays, May 14 to Sept. 17, in front of the Fenton Community & Cultural Center, 150 S. Leroy St., Fenton, facebook.com/fentonmarket, slpr.net, pets are not allowed in market space.
• Holly Farmers Market is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays, May 3 through Oct. 25, at Crapo Park, downtown Holly, hollyfarmersmarket.weebly.com, www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568281307212.
• Milford Farmers’ Market is 3-7 p.m. Thursdays, May 7 to Oct. 8, (no market on July 2 or Aug. 6) at East Liberty Street between S. Main St. and Union St., in downtown Milford, fresh produce in season, live music, family activities, milfordfarmersmarket.org.
Festivals/Shows
• Birmingham Hometown Parade and after party is 1-4 p.m. May 17, starts on North Old Woodward near Willits Street, travels south to Maple, ending in Shain Park. for a party with activities including crafts, mini-train rides, bounce houses, food vendors and activities until 4 p.m., bhamgov.org/parade More than 150 classic and vintage motorcycles steered by drivers in period dress will start the parade, the Metro Detroit Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health, gentlemansride.com.
• Annual Art & Flower Fair is May 16-17, (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday) downtown Lake Orion, fundraiser for the Orion Art Center, more than 100 art, flower, plant, and craft vendors, live artist demonstrations, music, and family activities, https://orionartcenter.org.
• International Gem and Mineral Show is May 22-24, at Vibe Credit Union Showplace, (formerly Suburban Collection Showplace) 46100 Grand River Ave. Novi, www.vibeshowplace.com/upcoming-events, ticket prices vary, parking fees.
• Novi BBQ Fest: Ribs & Whiskey is 5-10 p.m. May 22, noon-10 p.m. May 23-24 and noon-8 p.m. May 25, at Twelve Mile Crossing at Fountain Walk Mall, 44175 W. Twelve Mile Road, Novi, BBQ, live music, family-friendly activities, tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door. Kids under 10 are admitted without charge. Military, Police and Fire will be admitted at no charge with proper ID, www.novibbqfest.com.
• Ya’ssoo Greek Festival is May 22-24, (4-11 p.m. Friday; noon-11 p.m. Saturday; and noon-9 p.m. Sunday) on the grounds of St. George Greek Orthodox Church 43816 Woodward Ave. (just north of Square Lake Road) Bloomfield Hills, Greek culture, Greek dancers, customs and cuisine, live music by The Dave Bennett Quartet on Friday evening and the StiGma band all three days. The festival includes tours of the church, children’s games, crafts, bounce houses and magicians, www.yassoogreekfestival.com, $4 admission, free for ages 12 and younger, menu prices vary.
• Memorial Weekend Festival Carnival is May 22-25 (4 p.m.-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday and noon-9 p.m. Monday) in Green Acres Park, 620 W. Woodward Heights, Hazel Park, carnival, live music, facebook.com/HazelParkRecreation, ticket prices vary. Memorial Day Service is at 9 a.m. May 25, at City Hall Memorial site, followed by parade at 10 a.m., starting at Hazel Park Junior High School, 22770 Highland Ave., www.hazelpark.org/i_want_to/annual_events.php.
• Kensington Art Fair is May 23-25, along the beach at Kensington Metropark, Maple Beach, 4570 Huron River Pkwy., Milford, Memorial Day Weekend (10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Monday), Metropark entry pass required, KensingtonArtFair.com.
Fundraisers
• Royal Oak Nature Society’s Annual Fundraiser is 7-10 p.m. May 21, at the Royal Oak Farmers Market, 316 E 11 Mile Road, Royal Oak, www.romi.gov/463/Annual-Fundraiser, $10/person in advance and $15/person at the door, desserts, silent auction.
• Rochester Rotary Club presents “Hog Wild on the Keys” fundraiser, 5:30-9 p.m. May 29, at the Rochester Community House, 816 Ludlow Ave., Rochester, featuring a pig roast and entertainment by the Dueling Pianos, $45 per person, https://tinyurl.com/24kr8wn7
• 15th Annual Cipriano Classic 5K, held 7 p.m. June 5, at the Farmington Family YMCA, 28100 Farmington Road, Farmington Hills, in honor of the Cipriano family of Farmington Hills, $40 before May 23, $45 after, www.ciprianoclassic.com.
Health activities
• “Supporting Independence-How to help your loved one with dementia” workshop is 5-6 p.m. May 27, via Zoom, learn how to best help the person living with dementia take part in daily activities, presented by Jewish Family Services, for information, contact Beth at 248-592-2655 or bseelbach@jfsdetroit.org, jfsdetroit.org.
Library activities
• The Friends of the Baldwin Public Library will hold its bi-annual used books and media sale, May 16 and 12:30-4 p.m. May 17, at the library, 300 W. Merrill St., Birmingham, baldwinlib.org/friends.
• “The Safari Girls” Renee Prewitt author: Book signing event is 9:30 a.m. May 17, at Renaissance Unity Church, following the service held at Emagine Theatre IMAX, 200 N. Main Street, Royal Oak, https://theprewittgroup.com/events.
Museums/History lectures
• Oakland County Parks Historian Carol Bacak-Egbo presents “A Polar Bear, a Hypnotist and a Ghost River: A Slightly Unconventional Look at the History of Woodward Avenue,” 7-8 p.m. May 19, at Pleasant Ridge Community Center; and “A River Runs Through it: A Look at the Clinton River Over Time,” 7-8 p.m. June 2, at Twin Chimneys Shelter at Independence Oaks County Park; free events, preregistration is requested at 248-221-8040.
• Cemetery Tour-A Tribute to Our Soldiers is 6:30-8 p.m. May 20, at Mount Avon Cemetery, 200 Wilcox Street Rochester, $10/Non-Member, $8/Museum Member. Register at www.rochesterhills.org/musprograms.
Parks/Outdoor activities
• Cranbrook Art Museum’s artist-designed miniature golf course, Cranbrook on the Green to be open 10 a.m.-4:15 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, May 2-31, then open Wednesday to Sunday, June-August, on the grounds of Cranbrook Art Museum next to Triton Pools. On Father’s Day (June 21), dads or another designated adult play for free. On Thursday nights, the course and museum are open until 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance or on-site, ticket prices vary and include gallery admission, cranbrook.edu.
• Oakland County Parks and Recreation offers free admission. General park entry fees and vehicle permits have been eliminated for all parks operated by Oakland County Parks, www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks.
• Huron-Clinton Metroparks in Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne, metroparks.com. Park entrance fees apply. Annual vehicle passes are $40 for residents or $45 for non-residents. Senior citizen pricing on annual passes are available in-person at toll booths or park offices with ID as proof of age.
• Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas, michigan.gov/dnr. Park entrance fees apply.
Recycling events
• Meijer stores to host Baby Gear Recycling Event. From May 6 to May 19, customers can take used, expired, or damaged baby gear, such as car seats and strollers, to participating Meijer supercenters for recycling. Customers should take items to the marked drop-off area near the customer service desk and receive a coupon toward a baby item, for information, visit www.meijer.com/content/dam/meijer/meijer-corporate/pdfs/2177143_0506_BabyGearRecyclingEvent_PDF_FINAL.pdf.
Support resources
• For access to local community services, dial 211 (844-875-9211) or text zip code to 898211, for information and referrals to physical and mental health resources; housing, utility, food, and employment assistance; and suicide and crisis interventions, United Way, https://unitedwaysem.org/get-help.
• The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7 confidential support for people who are suicidal or in emotional distress, or who know someone who is. Calls and text messages to 988 route to a 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline call center, www.fcc.gov/988Lifeline.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline, 800-799-7233, available 24/7.
• Common Ground’s Resource & Crisis Helpline is available 24/7 – call or text 800-231-1127.
• Veterans Crisis Line, dial 988 and then press 1 to connect to the Veterans Crisis Lifeline. For texts, veterans should text the Veterans Crisis Lifeline short code: 838255.