Oakland County community calendar Feb. 8 and beyond – The Oakland Press

Black History Month activities

• Local Black History Open House is 1-4 p.m. Feb. 8, at Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society, 3951 Orchard Lake Rd, Orchard Lake. Learn about Ellie Mason, a freedom seeker who had escaped slavery to Canada, eventually ending up living a hermit’s life on land that is now part of Knollwood Country Club of West Bloomfield Twp., free admission, donations welcome.

• Maurice Imhoff, author and historian to talk about his latest book, “The 1st Michigan Colored Regiment: Free Men Who Fought Slavery,” 6:30-7:30 p.m. Feb.11, at the Southfield Public Library, 26300 Evergreen Road, Southfield, https://southfieldlibrary.org. Books will be available for sale and signing.

• “Dividing a District”: How 20th Century Suburban Housing Development Led to the First Federal School Segregation Case in the U.S. North is 7 p.m. Feb. 13, Royal Oak Historical Society Museum, 1411 W. Webster Road, Royal Oak, royaloakhistoricalsociety.com, 248-439-1501, $15 per person.

Community activities

• “Navigating Roundabouts,” a short seminar presented by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Patrol Services Division on how to safely navigate roundabouts including HAWK pedestrian beacon signals, is 4 p.m. Feb. 12, at the Oxford Senior Center, 2795 Seymour Lake Road, Oxford, free, registration required by Feb. 9, by calling (248) 628-1720, https://oxparkrec.org.

• Pysanky Easter Eggs, design and create Ukranian Easter Eggs using beeswax and dye, is 1-4 p.m. Feb. 19, at the Oxford Community Room, 2795 Seymour Lake Rd. Oxford, $15 R/ $20 NR Registration required by calling (248) 628-1720.

• Annual Michigan Rosie the Riveter Day, to be held on March 13, at the Capital Region International Airport in Lansing. Event organizers are seeking input from descendants, relatives, and community members with connections to WWII‑era manufacturing, aerospace, military service, or farming. For more information, visit https://mirosieday.org or www.facebook.com/share/1UHavGPDuz.

Education

• The Oakland County Treasurer’s Office has opened the annual Financial Empowerment Arts Contest. Oakland County public high school students are invited to submit 2-D artwork (including drawing, painting, photography, mixed media, and illustration) or video that reflects the theme of financial empowerment, with entries due by 11:59 p.m. on March 13, 2026, oakgov.com/arts.

• The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Detroit Chapter is offering $2,500 scholarships to Michigan students and apprentices pursuing careers in construction and skilled trades. Scholarship applications are due by Feb. 28, https://nawic.org/nfsf-scholarships.

Festivals/Shows

• Fireworks and Flannels is Friday-Saturday, Feb. 13-14, at Waterford Oaks County Park, 1702 Scott Lake Road, Waterford Twp. Light the Night Flannel 5K is Feb. 13, the race begins with the opening of the lighted trail at 5 p.m., after the race, bonfire, and hot cocoa. Race cost is $28/person, register at https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Waterford/FlannelFunRun. Fireworks and Flannels Cozy Night Out is 4-8 p.m. Feb. 14, free admission event with fireworks at 8 p.m., featuring a beer tent, food trucks, live music, sledding hill (weather permitting), and an illuminated walking path. From 4-7 p.m., horse-drawn wagon rides and petting farm with pony rides, www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks/parks-trails/waterford-oaks, 248-858-0916, no registration needed for Feb. 14 event.

• Winterfest 2026 is 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, (previously scheduled for Jan. 25), at Oak Park Community Center, 14300 Oak Park Blvd., Oak Park, www.oakparkmi.gov, free admission.

• Free Mid-Winter Break Open House is 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 16-17, at Troy Historic Village, 60 W. Wattles Road, Troy, explore historic buildings, scavenger hunt, warm up next to the fire, chat with reenactors in the Log Cabin, registration is not needed, www.TroyHistoricVillage.org.

• WinterFest is noon-2 p.m. Feb. 28  (previously Feb. 7), Berkley Community Center, 2400 Robina Ave, Berkley, featuring ice sculptures, petting farm, cake walk, indoor restrooms and a warming area, www.berkleymi.gov/winterfest, donuts and hot beverages to purchase, free admission.

Fundraisers

• Magic at the Movies featuring Anthony Grupido is Feb. 14, comedy, magic, and a full dinner inside newly renovated banquet room at Emagine Royal Oak, featuring a shared, cabaret-style seating experience alongside other guests, to benefit Mental Illness Resource Association. Dinner is 7-8 p.m., with show at 8 p.m., www.emagine-entertainment.com/magic-at-the-movies, $70 per person, cash bar and concessions available for purchase.

• Perspire Sauna Studios hosts collection boxes at Metro-Detroit, Perspire Sauna Studio locations through Feb. 14, with items going to The Corner Shower & Laundry of Detroit, a nonprofit  that benefits Detroit’s displaced population. Items needed include: Mostly men’s sizes L and XL; socks and underwear, sturdy shoes and warm boots, zip up hoodies, water-resistant jackets, warm coats, long sleeve shirts, durable pants, small umbrellas, gloves, hats and scarfs. Perspire Sauna Studio locations are at 1198 Walton Blvd., Rochester Hills; 1020 Haynes St., Birmingham and 47470 Grand River Ave., Novi, www.perspiresaunastudio.com.

• Gorman’s Home Furnishings and Interior Design is hosting its annual community-wide furniture donation drive to help support Metro Detroit families transitioning into stable housing. Gorman’s offers free, pre-scheduled furniture pickup on Tuesdays, Jan. 27-Feb. 24, throughout the Metro Detroit area. All items must be in good condition, www.gormans.com.

• 6th Annual Putt for Polio Tournament is 2-4 p.m. March 1, at West Bloomfield High School Gymnasium, 4925 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Twp. All money raised will be donated to West Bloomfield Area Rotary Foundation and directed to Rotary International End Polio Now Fund. Sponsorships start at $75, includes admission for one participant. General tickets are $25 per player or $10 per spectator. Register by Feb. 27. Purchase tickets to play and/or sponsor with check payment to: West Bloomfield Area Rotary Foundation, 346551 Valley Forge Drive, Farmington Hills, MI 48331. For information, visit https://westbloomfieldrotary.org.

Library activities

• Michigan author and historian Maurice Imhoff to talk about his latest book, “The 1st Michigan Colored Regiment: Free Men Who Fought Slavery,” 6:30-7:30 p.m. Feb.11, at the Southfield Public Library, 26300 Evergreen Road, Southfield, https://southfieldlibrary.org. Books will be available for sale and signing.

Parks/Outdoor activities

• Independence Oaks County Park at 9501 Sashabaw Road, Independence Twp., has groomed trails, cross-country skiing rental equipment and restroom facilities. Call the park at 248-625-0877 for current information about hours and equipment availability. For hikers or those with their own cross-country or snowshoe equipment, ungroomed trails can be enjoyed at Addison Oaks north of Rochester, Highland Oaks in Highland, Lyon Oaks in Lyon Township, Orion Oaks in Orion Township and Rose Oaks near Holly, www.oakgov.com/parks/recreation/Pages/Winter-Fun.aspx.

• ECHO (Early Childhood Hour Out) program is 10:30-11:30 a.m. every Thursday, at Wint Nature Center, 9501 Sashabaw Road, Independence Twp. The program is for parents and caregivers and children and includes a caregiver-led activity provided by nature center staff with coffee, tea and conversation with other caregivers, free and no preregistration is necessary. Caregivers must supervise children at all times. Siblings are welcome, www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks. Optional activities may take place outside.

• Family Sledding Hill at Waterford Oaks County Park, 1702 Scott Lake Road, Waterford Twp., and the adjacent Sled Library with sleds available to borrow, is open daily from sunrise to sunset or as posted at the gate, weather permitting. Portable restroom facilities are on site, www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks/parks-trails.

• The Rink at Royal Oak, ice skating at Centennial Commons in downtown Royal Oak, weather permitting, www.therinkatroyaloak.com.

• Birmingham Ice Arena offers open skating throughout the week and on weekends, bhamgov.org/icearena, adults-$6/per skater; seniors 55+- $5/per skater; and 17 and under-$5/per skater.

• The Rink at Stine Community Park is open daily through the season, 241 Town Center, at the corner of Town Center and Civic Center Drive at the City of Troy Civic Center Campus, free admission, skate rentals are $3 residents, $5 non-residents, https://rec.troymi.gov/parks___facilities/the_rink/index.php, weather permitting.

• Riley Park Ice Rink in downtown Farmington open through February, 23600 Liberty St., Farmington, www.downtownfarmington.org, open daily, weather permitting, free admission, bring skates, https://farmgov.com/Community/Parks-and-Recreation/Riley-Park-Ice-Rink.

• Ice skating at Spencer Park at 3701 John R Road, Rochester Hills, www.rochesterhills.org, daily park pass $3-residents, $5 non-residents(rental skates available), weather permitting.

• Suburban Ice Rochester, 52999 Dequindre Road, Rochester, www.suburbanicerochester.com, 248-601-6699. Public skating- $6, admission (18+), $5 skate rental, hockey prices vary.

• 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.

• Winter Park is open Fridays-Sundays, through March 8, at Bowers Farm, 1219 E Square Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills. Free admission to the park, activities include viewing farm animals, hay tower, bonfires, shopping at Farm Kitchen and Farm Store. Timed tubing tickets are mostly sold out, tickets must be purchased in advance at www.schoolfarm.org/winter-activities, $17+.

• Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas, michigan.gov/dnr. Park entrance fees apply.

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.

Submit community events online at https://bit.ly/40a2iAm.