Michigan is a vast state full of large cities like Detroit and a large amount of natural surroundings. This mix creates a population that is very diverse. Based on its diversity, Michigan has something to do for just about everyone who visits any time of the year. Whether you enjoy big cities or small towns, there should be an event scheduled during the year that you will enjoy.
Flushing, Michigan, is a small town with a special tradition that takes place during the first week of December. Every night that week an estimated total of more than 10,000 visitors and citizens take to the streets to carry candles. Live entertainment, carriage rides and food carts are all featured. During the event there is also a chestnut roast, and Santa Claus arrives to light the Christmas tree.
The North American International Auto Show attracts car companies and enthusiasts during the month of January to the city of Detroit every year. The event is designed to offer companies a chance to display new offerings and technologies to the first massive public auto audience of the year. The show is broken down into several parts, but there is a period of eight days every year (between the 15th and 23rd of the month) that the public is allowed to see the cars on display. Celebrity models and actual celebrities are often on hand to debut certain vehicles.
The International Motorcycle Show makes its way into Novi, Michigan, every year during the first weekend of January. In addition to giving companies a way to get their products in front of an audience, the event offers live entertainment, stunt shows and custom motorcycles for the public to view. Every aspect of motorcycling is focused on at this massive event, from street to race track to off-road. The annual participation count at the event is estimated at more than 100,000 people during the weekend. Daily ticket prices in 2011 started at $15 for adults and $6 for children. Other ticket packages are available for multiple days.
ArtPrize is an annual event held in Grand Rapids, Michigan, from the end of September through early October. During the 2010 event, 1,713 artists from 44 states and 21 countries exhibited works at 192 venues throughout the city. The diversity of the art is the key, with everything from painting to sculpture on display. The event also consists of live entertainment, neighborhood gatherings and interactive displays. Through a series of votes, a "best of show" winner is declared annually and awarded $250,000 in prize money to help the artist to advance his artistic aspirations.
