The lower part of Michigan, also known as the Lower Peninsula, provides an assortment of annual events that reflect the area's culture and heritage. Detroit celebrates its long and storied history in the musical field with various events featuring live musicians. Other popular events celebrate the arts, the state's farming tradition and the advent of spring flowers. Famous performers often appear at some of these events.
The Concert of Colors, which celebrated its 18th anniversary in 2010, unites people of different backgrounds with its music and promotes musical diversity. Held over a three-day period in late July, the concert features events at a variety of venues. In 2010, the concert's sponsors included the Arab American National Museum and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. The musical events take place both inside and outdoors. The festival, which features local and entertainers from around the world, has no admission fee. It also has an outdoor street festival with food vendors offering a range of ethnic cuisine. Children will enjoy arts and crafts at an outdoor grassy area.
Tthe Dowagiac Dogwood Fine Arts Festival takes place over a week in the town of Dowagiac in the southwestern part of Lower Michigan. Held in May, the festival draws local, national and foreign artists. Festival features include performances and displays of music, dance, theater and storytelling. Cooking and sculpting exhibitions are two other features of a festival that will hold its 20th anniversary in 2011. The aim of the festival is to combine entertainment with an educational experience. Authors Ken Kesey, Kurt Vonnegut and John Updike have all appeared at the festival.
The Detroit Music Awards take place in April at the Fillmore Detroit Theatre. Sponsored by the Motor City Music Foundation, which is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to recognizing and promoting Detroit-area musicians, the awards feature live performances by local musicians and award presentations. The show in 2011 will mark its 20th anniversary. The winners of the awards are determined exclusively by voting through the Internet. Awards are presented in 10 different types of music, including blues, jazz, gospel, country, classical, rock, hip-hop, R&B and electronic. Past performers at the awards have included Kid Rock, Martha Reeves, Smokey Robinson, Bob Seger, The Miracles and Ted Nugent.
Featuring antique and musical entertainment, the Thumb Area Old Engine and Tractor Show is an annual event that takes place at the Tuscola County Fairgrounds. The fairgrounds are in the town of Caro, which is the northern part of the Lower Peninsula. Displays of gas engines, threshing, baling, saw mills and a shingle mill attract visitors along with a flea market. The admission charge -- required for those 12 and older -- is donated to the Thumb Area Old Engine and Tractor Association.
Held every year in May in the western part of Michigan, the Tulip Time Festival attracts famous performers. Past entertainers who have appeared at the festival include Christina Aguilera and Bobby Vinton. Dating back to 1930, the festival celebrates the Dutch heritage and culture. Three parades highlight the 10-day event along with performances of Dutch dances. Dutch cuisine, trolley tours, an arts and crafts fair, fireworks and events especially designed for children provide more entertainment at a festival that was named one of the top 20 events in the world by the International Festival and Events Association. Readers Digest named it America's Best Small Town Festival.
