Oakland County community calendar July 5 and beyond – The Oakland Press

America 250 celebrations

 

• Independence Celebration: America 250 in the Village: Celebrate a double milestone in downtown Oxford Centennial Park – America 250 and the 150th anniversary of the Village of Oxford. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 9, with food vendors, history exhibits and youth activity zones. The main stage will hold a Historical Ceremony at 6 p.m. with a presentation of colors by the Sons of the American Revolution Honor Guard. Civic Pride opening remarks, the Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem, and a reading of the Preamble. Oxford’s historic 1976 Time Capsule unveiling will end the Main Stage ceremony. From 6:30 p.m.-dusk, the celebration continues with live music and dance. https://www.facebook.com/events/2236418170507957/?active_tab=discussion

 

• Birmingham Reading of the Declaration of Independence: 5:50-6 p.m. Wednesday, July 8. The reading takes place on the steps of the Birmingham municipal building, 151 Martin Street. Six local community representatives will each read a section of the declaration. Following the reading, a free performance by Billy Mack and the Juke Joint Johnnies takes place at 7 p.m. at the Shain Park,

 

• “Telling Troy’s Stories” exhibit celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, is open during regular hours in July and August, at Troy Historic Village, 60 W Wattles Rd., Troy. (Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Thursdays). Exhibit is included with general admission, non-members-$7 per adult, $5 per senior, free for children under 18, pre-register at www.TroyHistoricVillage.org, 248-524-3570, walk-ins are also accepted.

 

• Oakland County’s America 250 Celebration: 12-4 p.m. July 25-26. Oakland History Center, 405 E Chavez, Pontiac. This year’s Summer Social includes exhibits, talks and re-enactors from historians and free antique appraisals, flea market, food trucks, music, kids activities, free tours of the Governor Moses Wisner mansion. Free ice cream and free admission. office@ocphs.org.

 

• America: 250 Years in the Making, 5-10 p.m. July 2-5, Greenfield Village, 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn. Grand stage performance by Detroit Symphony Orchestra at 8:30 p.m. Rotating performance groups, including brass, ragtime piano, Motown, blues, jazz, decade vignettes, Military fife and drum parade, Summer street food, cold treats and craft beer, free carousel rides. Performance of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” with cannon fire and a fireworks finale. $10 per vehicle for public tickets and free for members. Member and public ticket prices vary. https://www.thehenryford.org/visit/plan-your-visit/admission

 

• Oakland County’s America 250 Celebration: 12-4 p.m. July 25-26. Oakland History Center, 405 E Chavez, Pontiac. This year’s Summer Social includes exhibits, talks and re-enactors from historians and free antique appraisals, flea market, food trucks, music, kids activities, free tours of the Governor Moses Wisner mansion. Free ice cream and free admission. office@ocphs.org.

 

• Musician Rob Crozier, a one-man band, combines harmonica, guitar, tambourine, and vocals entertaining exploration of our musical heritage in honor of America’s 250th birthday, 7-8 p.m. Thursday, July 9 at the Brighton District Library, 100 Library Drive, Brighton. https://www.america250mi.org/calendar

 

Children’s activities

 

• Bugs on Wheels: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Thursdays, July 9 and 23, Noon-2 p.m. Sunday, July 19. “The Bug Lady” presents a hands-on, educational session featuring live insects and facts about them. Children and adults have the opportunity to better understand and appreciate how amazing, important, and not-so-scary bugs really are. See, touch, and hold some amazing little creatures. Guests can also look at taxidermy and see what scientists who study these creatures do in order to save and study them. Free. Festival Park, The Village of Rochester Hills, 104 N. Adams Road, Rochester Hills, TheVORH.com

 

• Kids Komotion Concert is 10 a.m.-12 p.m. August 20 at Marshbank Park, 2805 Hiller Road, West Bloomfield Twp. Interactive children’s entertainment, free inflatables and special costumed characters. The Optimist Club of West Bloomfield will be on-site selling snacks and refreshments, with all proceeds supporting programs for children in our community. wbparks.org/series/kids-komotion-concerts

 

• Dragon & Dino Days: 11 a.m.5 p.m. July 18-19. Shops of Canterbury Village scavenger hunt. Follow clues, collect a prize at each stop and complete the scavenger hunt to collect a surprise loot bag at the end, including an official “Dino & Dragon Hunter” certificate. Tickets: $8 pre-sale/$10 at the gate. 2325 Joslyn Ct., Lake Orion. https://www.canterburyvillage.com/event/dragon-dino-days/

 

• Kids Zone: Ahead of the Birmingham In the Park Concert Series, Birmingham Parks & Recreation hosts Kids Zone from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, August 5. Bounce houses, interactive activities, games and surprises. Concert in the Park featuring ZANG follows at 7 p.m., Shain Park, corner of Merrill and Bates, Birmingham. Free. Check for updates here, Instagram and Facebook.

 

 

Community activities

 

• Wet & Wild Wednesdays: 12 – 2 p.m. Wednesdays in July, Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road. Musical entertainment, slip and slides, a Rochester Hills Fire Truck, foam machine for little kids, Rochester Public Library Book mobile on site. Purchase tickets at the door, $6 per person for adults, children under age 2 and Museum members free.

 

• Lake Orion Dragons High School Band: 7-9 p.m. Thursday, July 23. Featuring some of the most dedicated young musicians in our community. Highlighting the skill, spirit, and hard work of Lake Orion’s student performers. The program includes concert band favorites, upbeat selections, and polished ensemble pieces. Free. Wildwood Amphitheater, 2700 Joslyn Ct, Lake Orion, Wildwood Amphitheater

 

• Troy Buy Nothing Give Event: 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. July 18. Free community event at the Troy Community Center, 3179 Livernois, Troy. Bring items to give or help items find their new home. Free admission/items. Volunteers also needed July 17-18 to help keep volunteers fed and hydrated and donating or lending event supplies. To volunteer or donate: https://tinyurl.com/2026BuyNothingEventSupport. https://rec.troymi.gov/programs___events/allevents.php

 

 

Festivals/Shows

 

• Magic Bus at Hippie Fest in the Village is 8 p.m. Saturday, July 11, Hippie items, beer, cider and wine, various food options and late 60’s Classic Hit songs.Canterbury Village, 2420 Joslyn Road, Lake Orion,

 

• Harry Potter’s Birthday Celebration: July 25-26, Canterbury Village, 2420 Joslyn Road, Lake Orion. Themed vendors, tarot readers, costume contests (Adults 13+ and children 12 & under), scavenger hunts, magic shows, interactive characters from the Wizarding World. Early bird tickets on sale now through July 19 are $11.99. Week before event tickets are $14.99 and tickets at the gate are $20 (if available). https://www.canterburyvillage.com/event/harry-potter-bday/

 

• The Oddities & Curiosities Expo: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. July 11-12. For the lovers of the Strange, Unusual & Bizarre, something weird for everyone. Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River Avenue, Novi. Ticket prices vary. Children 12 and under free. https://odditiesandcuriositiesexpo.com/

 

• Oakland County Fair: July 10-19. 1-11 p.m. July 10-11 and 1-10 p.m. July 12 is the Big Rock Carnival Weekend, rides, midway games, food, drink and fair treats. Livestock and horse exhibitors will begin arriving after the evening fireworks on Friday, July 10. https://www.oakfair.org/ Springfield Oaks County Park, 12451 Andersonville Road, Davisburg.

 

 

Fundraisers

 

• Swing for THAW Golf Outing: 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Friday, July 17. 18-hold scramble, shotgun start, on-course food & beverage, lunch on the turn, silent auction & raffle, dinner and awards ceremony. Proceeds to benefit THAW’s mission of providing essential energy assistance to those facing hardship. Northville Hills Golf Club, 15565 Bay Hill Drive, Northville. Prices vary. https://birdease.com/swingforthaw

 

• OLHSA Golf Fore Change 2026: 8 a.m. Friday, August 28. Westwynd Golf Course, 4161 Adams Road, Oakland Twp. Hosted by OLHSA to raise funds for OLHSA’s essential emergency support programs helping local families in times of crisis. The event includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner, 18 holes with golf cart, and contests and raffles at the event. The cost of the event is $600 per foursome or $150 per person. To register or sign up as sponsor, olhsa.org/fore. Sponsorship pledges must be turned in by August 7.

 

• Connecting Fore a Cause: 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, July 24, 18-hole scramble supporting Community Housing Network’s mission to provide affordable housing. Tickets include: golf cart, breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet, on-course contests, raffles and prizes. Fountains Golf & Banquet, 6060 Maybee Road, Village of Clarkston. Tickets: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/connectingforeacause/event/connectingforeacause/embed

 

 

Library events

 

Movie Con: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, July 11. Movie themed convention with hands-on crafts, interactive activities, and cinematic fun. Costumes welcomed. All ages. Highland Public Library, Community Room, 444 Beach Farm Circle, Highland. 248- 887-2218

 

 

Senior activities

 

• Aging 360 Workshop: 10:30-11:30 a.m. July 9, 16, 23, 30. Hands-on workshop for 60+, low-cost or no-cost ideas to a safer and more confident way to live in your own home. Jewish Family Service, 6555 West Maple Road, West Bloomfield. Register: ngerman@jfsdetroit.org or 248-970-7310.

 

 

Health activities

 

• Forest Therapy Series: Forest therapy is a slow restorative walk in a natural setting that follows a standard sequence of elements. Nurture your well-being as you experience the physical and mental health benefits of forest bathing. Refresh and Renew is 10 a.m.-noon, Thursday, July 16 at Highland Oaks County Park Nature Area; Dusk to Dark Forest is 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28 at Oak Park Woods. To register, visit OaklandCountyParks.com.

 

• Yoga in The Park and Sound Healing: Yoga is 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays through August 26 (No class July 29) Sound Healing is 10:45 a.m. following Yoga on July 15 and Aug. 12, Brandon Twp. Community Park, 1414 N. Hadley Road, Ortonville. Held in the Tree Library along the paved walking path near the gazebo. Yoga is $12 per class and Sound Healing is $20 per class. Must preregister online prior to class start time. No on-site registration: https://brandonrec.recdesk.com/Community/Program?category=3

 

• Gray Matters: The Powerful Impact of Music on the Brain:: 1-2:30 p.m. July, 15. Jody Conradi Stark, Music Therapist and Gregory Staples, Violinist with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra explore the connection between music and brain health. Jewish Family Service, 6555 West Maple Road, West Bloomfield. Register: jfsdetroit.org/MindU or 248-788-6463.

 

• Yoga at the Gardens: 8-9 a.m. Saturday, July 18. Participants should bring their own mat and will receive a complimentary 2″ plant and exclusive coupon, English Gardens Royal Oak, 4901 Coolidge Hwy. $8. Spaces fill quickly, tickets https://www.englishgardens.com/event/yoga-at-the-gardens-with-the-yoga-garden/#tribe-ticketstickets-form

 

Parks/Outdoor activities

 

• Midsummer Bash: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, July 11. Face painting, bounce houses, climbing tower, roller skating rink, library bookmobile, food trucks. Stine Community Park, 241 Town Center, Troy. https://rec.troymi.gov/programsevents/midsummerbash.php

 

• Open Mic Night, 6 p.m. July 20, Acoustic style open mic solo, duets, musical performances. No poetry, karaoke, comedians or drum kit. Sign up starts at 5:30 p.m. Outdoor stage at Cookies and Cream (below 20 Front Street) 20 E Front Street, Lake Orion. Free. https://calendar.20frontstreet.com

 

• Oakie’s Birthday Bash: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, July 24. Oakland County Parks’ 60th Anniversary. Free outdoor party including food trucks, live entertainment, DJ, Inflatables, Air Jumper, birthday games, performers and goodie bags (while supplies last). Independence Oaks County Park, Twin Chimneys Pavilion, 9501 Sashabaw Road, Clarkston. 248-858-0916 or visit OaklandCountyParks.com

 

• 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.

 

 

Farmers markets

 

• The Birmingham Farmers Market: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays, 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

 

• Highland Farmers Market: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, July 11 to Oct. 3, at Highland Township Complex, 205 N. John St., Highland, www.facebook.com/HighlandFarmersMarketMichigan, www.highlandfarmmarket.com.

 

• Fogler’s Greenhouse & Farm Market: Open daily, seasonally from spring to late fall, 559 S. Lapeer Road, Lake Orion, and 3979 Rochester Road, Rochester, foglersgreenhouse.com, 248-652-3614. Rochester market opened March 30 and Lake Orion market opened May 1.

 

• Milford Farmers’ Market: 3-7 p.m. Thursdays, through 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.

 

• Ortonville Farmers Market: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, through Sept. 26, downtown Ortonville, Market Info Booth, 476 Mill St., facebook.com/ortonvillefarmersmarket.

 

Downtown Oxford Open Air Summer Market: 4-7 p.m. July 16 and Aug. 13, at Washington Square, Oxford. (Also, Summer Concert series is 6:30-8 p.m. Thursdays June 18-Aug. 13, excluding July 2), https://downtownoxford.info/events.

 

• Royal Oak Farmers Market: 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, year-round, and limited market is open 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays, through November, 316 E. 11 Mile, Royal Oak, 248-246-3276, romi.gov/farmersmarket. Antiques and Collectibles show is 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays.

 

 

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.