Community activities
• Southfield Parks & Recreation to host Daddy-Daughter Dance on March 21, from 4–6 p.m. at the Southfield Pavilion. The event welcomes girls ages 2–12 and their favorite adult male companion for an afternoon of music, dancing, and special memories. Special guests, Princess Tiana and Belle will be on hand, dancing, a balloon twister, face painting, and refreshments (included in the price). Each child will also receive a special gift. Purchase advance tickets by March 18, $20 per person for Southfield residents and $25 per person for non-residents, at bit.ly/DaddyDaughter26, (248) 796-4620.
• Oakland County Farmers Market offers free cooking demonstration, 10-11 a.m. March 21, with Chef Amber Poupore, Cacao Tree Café, held in cooperation with edibleWOW, at Oakland County Farmers Market, 2350 Pontiac Lake Road in Waterford Twp. Guests can shop for ingredients during market hours, 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturdays at the Oakland County Farmers Market. Copies of the recipes will be available at the market and online at www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks/parks-trails/farmers-market, following the demonstrations.
• Founder’s Day celebration presented by the Rochester Historical Commission, is 2-4 p.m. March 22, at The Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, Calf Barn, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, Rochester Hills, free, registration appreciated at www.rochesterhills.org/musprograms, includes a presentation on Oakland County Veterans by Carol Egbo, Oakland County’s historian. The event will start with an Irish bagpiper, and ends with entertainment from Irish dancers, light refreshments provided.
• The City of Farmington Hills invites the community to help shape future housing and community development priorities by taking a brief survey, available through March 29, at www.surveymonkey.com/r/JK66WRC. The city will also host a meeting to gather community input at 7:30 p.m. March 23, in the Council Chambers at Farmington Hills City Hall, 31555 W. Eleven Mile Road, Farmington Hills. For more information, visit www.fhgov.com or call 248-871-2545.
• The Oakland County Parks staff seeks community input on its plans for a new “Grand Attraction” at Waterford Oaks County Park. There are 14 grand attraction options to choose from, including a splash feature, lazy river/winter skating river, rock/ice climbing wall, electric go-karts and more, https://engage.oaklandcountyparks.com/en/projects/waterford-oaks-grand-attraction.
Educational activities
• Arts, Culinary and Humanities Open House is 6-8 p.m. March 19, at Oakland Community College, Royal Oak Campus. 739 S Washington Ave., attendees can explore artistic career pathways by attending information sessions; touring classrooms and labs; and meeting with faculty, staff and students. Register at www.oaklandcc.edu/calendar/event-details/4f573146-aaa1-422c-a0c2-e56036d6aa46.
• 68th Annual Michigan in Perspective – Local History Conference is March 27-28, at Oakland University, register at https://hsmichigan.org/form/lhc2026, ticket prices vary.
Easter activities
• Free visits with the Easter Bunny and farm animals, scavenger hunt is noon-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday March 21-22 and March 28-29, and Friday-Saturday April 3-4, at The Village of Rochester Hills, outdoor shopping center, 104 N. Adams Road, Rochester Hills, weather permitting and subject to change, TheVORH.com.
• Spring Egg Hunt is 4-7:30 p.m. March 27 and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 28, at Troy Historic Village, 60 W. Wattles Road, Troy. Activities include egg hunt, games, and a craft. Registration is not required, but people can pre-register online by noon March 26, to receive advance discounted event pricing at www.TroyHistoricVillage.org or by calling 248-524-3570, www.TroyHistoricVillage.org, rain or shine. Advance price is $7 for Troy Historical Society Members and $9 for non-members. Tickets will be available at the door on a first-come, first-served basis. All children under 2 are admitted free.
• Peter Cotton Trail event is noon-2 p.m. March 28, at Booth Park, southwest corner of North Old Woodward and Harmon Street in downtown Birmingham. The free event includes egg trail hunt for children ages 1 to 12; Peter Cottontail meet and greet; Kid’s Zone with crafts, games, face painting and bubbles; and food trucks and vendors, rain or shine. Nearby parking is available in the North Old Woodward municipal parking structure, where the first two hours are free, and at metered spaces on North Old Woodward and in Public Parking Lot 6 at 660 N. Old Woodward. Birmingham’s Parks and Recreation Department is recruiting additional volunteers ages 14 and up to help during the event, sign up at bhamgov.org/donate or contact Clinise Kirkwood at ckirkwood@bhamgov.org or (248) 530-1651.
• Annual Bunny Bash is noon-2 p.m. March 28, Auburn Hills Fire Department Station 1, 3483 Auburn Road, Auburn Hills, free photo and goodies for children 12 and under, www.facebook.com/DowntownAuburnHills.
• Annual Easter Egg Hunt is April 3, at Springfield Oaks Activity Center, 12451 Andersonville Road, Davisburg. Pre-registration is required, register for time slot by age group at https://secure.rec1.com/MI/springfield-township-mi/catalog. The event includes photos with the Easter Bunny, bring a camera. Candy and toys may not be appropriate for those under the age of 3. Participants should bring their own basket and dress weather appropriate as the event is held outside rain or shine, $5 per child resident, non-resident rate is $7 per child, adults free, www.springfield-twp.us/departments/parks_and_recreation.
• Annual Easter Egg Hunt is April 4, at Volunteer Park, 21620 Dixboro Road, South Lyon, presented by the Kiwanis Club of South Lyon Gates open at 11 a.m., egg hunt begins at noon, with four separate fields, each designated for different age groups, free event includes meet and take photos with the Easter Bunny, view local police and fire trucks, https://explorebrightonhowellarea.com/events/south-lyon-kiwanis-easter-egg-hunt.
Fundraisers
• Busch’s Fresh Food Market launches 2026 Spring Milk Drive, March 9-22, encouraging guests to donate a gallon of milk during the two-week drive. Donations will benefit local food banks including Food Gatherers, Forgotten Harvest, Gleaners Community Food Bank, and South Michigan Food Bank, www.buschs.com.
• Jewish Family Service is hosting a Home Essentials Drive for individuals and families that the organization serves, and invites the public to donate at www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A45ADA92AAAFC1-61863162-jfsbasic. Items can also be dropped off 9 a.m.-7 p.m. March 19 and 9 a.m.-noon March 20, at Jewish Family Service, 6555 W Maple Road, West Bloomfield Twp. For questions, call 248-325-9537.
• “Newfound Friends” fundraiser is 7-8:30 p.m. March 23, Meadow Brook Theatre, on the campus of Oakland University, featuring four special guests from Newfoundland whose real-life experiences inspired the Broadway hit “Come From Away,” register at www.mbtheatre.com, ticket prices vary.
• 14th Annual “Bocce with the Brothers,” is March 27, at Villa Penna in Sterling Heights, to benefit The Capuchin Ministries, with support from Madison Heights-based Shelving.com. The event includes unlimited bocce alongside the Capuchin Friars, a gourmet Italian buffet dinner, beer/wine, desserts, live music, live and silent auctions, cappuccino bar. Tickets ($75/each) are at boccewiththebrothers.org.
• Forgotten Harvest to host “Feeding Detroit Together” fundraiser, 6-9 p.m. April 10, at The Mint, 27000 Evergreen Road, Lathrup Village, VIP Afterglow is 9-10 p.m. Tickets are $150; VIP tickets are $250, www.forgottenharvest.org. The event will feature a gourmet meal, program, silent auction, and live music by Parallel Fifth. Forgotten Harvest ‘s mission is to fight hunger and food insecurity in Metro Detroit.
Health/Safety events
• Oakland County Health Division to host a free virtual training class on how to dispose of unused and expired medications safely, led by a health educator. Virtual training dates are: noon-1:30 p.m. March 18, April 22 and May 19. Register at https://bit.ly/4tfLjL2. For questions, contact Nadli Arabo at arabon@oakgov.com, open to adults.
• The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute in partnership with the Detroit Public Library presents 2026 Community Conversations on Cancer. The sessions are held in person at the library Main Branch, 5201 Woodward Ave., Detroit, and virtually via Zoom, from 6-7 p.m. The first session covers colorectal cancer, March 18. Register at www.karmanos.org/karmanos/karmanos-events/the-road-ahead-understanding-a-colon-cancer-diagno-52313. The April 22 session covers the influence of bias in health care, and June 17 covers multiple myeloma.
• Know the Early Signs of Alzheimer’s and Dementia, free educational event is 2-3:30 p.m. March 23, at Prentis Apartments Independent Living-Jewish Senior Life, 15100 W. 10 Mile Road, Oak Park, https://jslmi.org/rsvp-with-rick_01.
Library activities
• The Salem-South Lyon District Library will be celebrating the opening of its remodeled teen area with a Welcome Week event, March 16-20. The event will feature gift card giveaways March 16-19, raffles and free snacks in the remodeled area, which features new shelving, whiteboards, plush seating, and room for group work. For information, contact Sarah Scherdt or Tina McIntosh at youthdepartment@ssldl.info.
• The Rochester Hills Public Library presents “Birding by Ear with Oakland Talking Book Service,” 1 p.m. March 16, dial 888-916-5522 to join the program. Oakland Talking Book Service invites blind and visually impaired patrons to a call-in program with Birding By Ear and Beyond. Host Donna Posont will teach how to identify birds by their songs and experience nature with all available senses. No registration required.
Parks/Outdoor activities
• Holly Oaks ORV Park trails and park features are open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. March 21-22 and March 28-29. Longer hours begin in April, and extended days/hours are added throughout May through September, www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks.
• 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.
Shows
• Novi Boat Show is March 12-15, Vibe Credit Union Showplace (formerly Suburban Collection Showplace), 46100 Grand River Ave, Novi, https://boatmichigan.org, ticket prices vary.
• Backyard Pool & Spa Show is March 20-22, Vibe Credit Union Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave, Novi, www.backyardpoolshow.com, ticket prices vary.
• Spring Arts & Crafts Show is 10 a.m.-3 p.m. March 21, White Lake Oaks Event Center, hosted by White Lake Oaks Golf Course, 991 N. Williams Lake Road in White Lake, free admission, www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks/golf/white-lake-oaks-golf-course.
Support resources
• Free safeTALK Training is March 19, at Jewish Family Service, West Bloomfield Twp., learn how to become a safeTALK-trained helper. notice and respond to situations where suicide thoughts might be present and apply the TALK steps: Tell, Ask, Listen, and Keep Safe, open to ages 15+, no experience necessary. Register at jlive.app/events/13861.
• 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.